Plan to turn offices into care facility OK’d

An Eden Prairie office building’s conversion to another use – not likely to be the last change of this kind, in the current soft market for office space – was approved Tuesday, June 13, by the city council.

Given the green light were plans to transform a two-story, 25-year-old office building at 6216 Baker Road, owned by ARAAZ LLC and valued at $2.348 million, into 24 assisted-living units for seniors.

Also approved was a potential second-phase, four-story addition containing 81 additional units. Its timing is uncertain.

The existing, 16,309-square-foot building is located on heavily wooded property immediately south of Crosstown Highway 62 on EP’s northern boundary.

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Most of the renovation to the existing office building would be interior work to create studio and suite rooms, as well as a kitchen and common spaces.

Its outside design would remain and be carried over to the building expansion – including some curved exterior features that the council prefers. “I think it adds architectural interest and pulls the buildings together,” explained Mayor Ron Case.

Behind the project called Baker Road Assisted Living is Midwest Residential, which operates multiple properties in Minnesota that provide care for aging adults, including those with physical and mental challenges.

Eric Reiners, a principal with the firm SRa, presented the project to Eden Prairie City Council members Tuesday. He said the project is an opportunity to reposition an underutilized office building that’s been only partially occupied the last five years.

A separate, existing office building between the proposed project and Baker Road would remain; its access serves both properties.