Multi-Tenant Retail
Lakeville, MN
Kenwood Commons originated from an existing relationship: the property owner, a State Farm insurance agent, had been a tenant in an EFH-managed commercial building. As her business grew, she approached EFH looking not just for a new office location, but for an opportunity to build equity through commercial real estate ownership. EFH guided her through site identification, land acquisition, building design, and ground-up construction of a multi-tenant retail center sized to accommodate four tenant spaces. The building was designed with the owner as anchor tenant, with her State Farm office anchoring the center while the remaining units were planned for compatible retail and service tenants. EFH also secured a local bicycle shop as a second tenant during construction. Following delivery, EFH Realty Advisors assumed ongoing property management and leasing responsibilities for the center, with two of the four tenant spaces actively in lease-up at the time of this writing.
One of the defining characteristics of this project was the depth of owner involvement and the expertise EFH brought to channeling that involvement productively. The owner had a clear aesthetic vision, shaped by years of gathering inspiration from interior design publications, and she was frequently on-site throughout construction. EFH's team worked closely with her to translate personal design preferences, which included distinctive exterior corbels, custom lighting, and a warm white-and-gold palette in her anchor suite, into finishes that would hold their commercial value over time. The result is a building with genuine character and investment-grade durability. Beyond the construction itself, EFH helped the owner model potential lease income, evaluate tenant mix, and understand what the project would look like as a long-term income-producing asset.
Kenwood Commons delivered on its dual purpose: providing the owner with a flagship office location that reflects her brand, while establishing an income-generating investment that EFH continues to manage. Leasing activity has been strong, with the bicycle shop bringing an active, community-oriented retail presence to a growing suburb just outside the Twin Cities. For the surrounding community, Kenwood Commons represents a thoughtfully designed neighborhood hub, not simply a generic strip center with a parking lot.
