A Sad Farewell to our Leader, Shel Hoffman (1945-2008)

It is with great sadness that I must inform you that Shel Hoffman passed away last night after an 8 month battle with colon cancer.

We will remember with fondness his great accomplishments in real estate and the unique grace with which he served his clients and tended to his customers.

Shel was one-of–a-kind and he will be dearly missed.

Shel was the founder of Hoffman Parkin Urban Realty (formerly S.R. Hoffman & Associaties,) and had a long track record of accomplishments in the real estate industry. Since 1973, Shel was involved in numerous projects ranging from large high-profile towers to boutique loft developments. Shel's extensive background and experience provided the firm and its clients with a broad vision as well as a unique ability to capitalize on pioneering sales in emerging markets.

Most notable was Shel's involvement with the redevelopment of the Minneapolis Riverfront in the 1980's starting with his work as Marketing Director for the riverplace development with Kajima Corporation. This was a huge and pioneering undertaking. Shel continued this work in the laqte 90's with the resurgence of interest in Downtown Riverfront living.

The list of developments Shel was involved with is long - click here for the list and continued right up to the present day with the Cobalt and Zenith Condominium projects in Minneapolis.

Visit Shel’s Memorial Page HERE for photos, to share your thoughts, and upcoming memorial service information.

New Website for DMNA

We just finished uploading our new website for the Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association (DMNA). Check it out at www.thedmna.org.

We are pushing to increase involvement in this important group this year.
Please considering attending a meeting if you are living or working in downtown East or West - or even if you are just interested in the work we do.

Mill District City Apartments Treading Water

The Strib recently reported (see article) that Village Green is having a hard time putting together its financing for the site at Portland and 2nd Street. Let's hope that gets worked out. I like to refer to this as the Mill District Sand Volleyball Court - its a huge pit full of sand and trees.

Heard a hilarious story from a resident at American Trio Lofts. He saw a bunch of "less than aristocratic" fellows rummaging around in the pit and called the cops. I turns out they were a prison work crew cleaning up the brush growing there. Thanks guys!

I've started using Flickr - here's a slide show I put together about the Mill District.