Doran plans $71M senior housing at former Edina Macy's
Doran Group plans a $71 million, more-than-130-unit age-55-plus apartment building with ground-floor retail on the northwest corner of the former Macy's furniture site at 7235 France Ave. in Edina.[1]
The senior-housing phase is estimated to cost more than $71 million and will use tax-increment financing from a TIF district the city approved in 2024.[1] Enclave Cos. bought the entire eight-acre property from Macy's for $18 million and subdivided the site to allow multiple developers to build.[1] Enclave will keep the eastern half for two apartment buildings targeted to start construction by early 2027 and sell the southwest corner where Doran will build the senior project.[1]
Enclave Cos. first proposed redeveloping the former Macy's Furniture Gallery site in January 2024.[1] Edina City Council approved rezoning and final site plans for a four-building mixed-use project in September 2024 and established the 72nd and France #3 TIF district in November 2024.[1] The full property sale closed February 27, 2026, clearing the way for phased redevelopment across about eight acres.[1]
As planned in 2024, the broader redevelopment of the eight-acre site is envisioned as a roughly $300 million project supported by up to $23 million in tax-increment financing. Edina has about 53,500 residents, and 23% were aged 65 or older during 2020-2024, underscoring local demand for senior housing.
The mainstream summary emphasizes the financial aspects of the Doran Group's senior housing project but overlooks the broader context of demographic shifts driving such developments. While it notes that Edina's population is approximately 53,500 with 23% aged 65 or older, it does not highlight the projected doubling of the 80+ population by 2035, which signifies an urgent need for accessible housing options for older adults on fixed incomes. This demographic trend suggests that the demand for senior housing is not merely a local issue but part of a national phenomenon driven by the aging baby boomer generation.[2]
Moreover, the summary does not address the significant decline of traditional retail, particularly department stores like Macy's, which have seen revenue drops of over 50% since 2010. This decline has led to the repurposing of commercial sites for housing, a trend that is reshaping urban landscapes. The use of tax-increment financing (TIF) to support these developments is mentioned, yet the implications of diverting funds from public services like schools remain unexamined. This broader context of economic and demographic shifts is crucial for understanding the motivations behind the redevelopment of the former Macy's site.[3]
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📊 Relevant Data
Edina has a population of approximately 53,500, of which 23% are aged 65 and older.
U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Edina city, Minnesota — U.S. Census Bureau
The broader redevelopment of the 8-acre former Macy's site is planned as a roughly $300 million project supported by up to $23 million in tax-increment financing.
Tax incentives for development in Edina? Developers say they need them to redevelop sites along Edina's France Avenue — Star Tribune
📌 Key Facts
- Doran Group plans over 130 age‑55‑plus apartments with ground‑floor retail on the northwest corner of the former Macy’s furniture site at 7235 France Ave. in Edina.
- The senior‑housing project is estimated to cost more than $71 million and will use tax‑increment financing from a TIF district the city approved in 2024.
- Enclave Cos. bought the entire 8‑acre site for $18 million, will keep the eastern half for two apartment buildings targeted to start construction by early 2027, and will sell the southwest corner to another developer.
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