07-02-2025
106-year-old Rochester house sold for $1.41 million to clear way for 12-story apartment complex
Feb. 7—ROCHESTER — The $1.41 million sale of a 106-year-old boarding house clears the way for the construction of a 12-story apartment tower in southwest Rochester.
Wayzata-based developer DM Cos. purchased the 10-unit boarding house at 219 Sixth Ave. SW on Jan. 31. Noser Holdings, owned by Rochester landlord Britt Noser, sold the property, which was originally built in 1919 by former Rochester Mayor Martin Heffron.
The developer plans to build Citywalk Apartments, a 12-story complex with 361 units, on that land.
Noser commented that he was uneasy about selling to the developer, but he just couldn't, as one person, face down the project supported by the City of Rochester and Destination Medical Center.
"I sold it because it made the most financial sense for my family," he said. "I bought it as a business. I couldn't choose emotion over opportunity."
Noser purchased the property in 2011 for $315,000. Eight of the 10 units are still occupied. Once all of the tenants have moved out, Noser has salvage rights for parts of the building.
Olmsted County estimated the total market value of the building and land at $868,600 for 2024-2025, which is up from $451,400 in 2023-2024.
This is the latest of the properties at the corner of Second Street Southwest and Sixth Avenue purchased by the developer. The Wayzata firm also owns 2nd Street Villas, the small retail center on the corner and the former Just Rite Foods building on that block.
