A new workforce housing development is set to break ground April 24 in northwest Rochester, Minnesota, adding 94 apartment units designed for young professionals and working households.
The project, Overland Reserve, will be built at the intersection of Bandel Road NW and Overland Drive NW. It includes seven buildings across 5.5 acres, with construction expected for substantial completion in spring 2027.
Developed by Mailbox Money RE with DBS Group serving as the design-builder, the project is intended to offer new-construction apartments at a more attainable price point while incorporating features typically associated with higher-end housing.
Units will include floor-to-ceiling windows, quartz countertops, raw wood flooring, and Scandinavian-inspired interiors.
While workforce housing projects exist in the area, developers say this project is designed to combine lower price points with finishes more commonly found in market-rate developments.
Rochester’s continued growth, driven in part by its health care and technology sectors, has increased demand for housing across price points. A 2023 report from the Minnesota Housing Partnership estimates the state needs more than 100,000 additional housing units by 2030, with much of that need concentrated among households seeking more attainable options.
“The need for this type of housing has never been greater,” said Dusten Hendrickson, owner of Mailbox Money. “As the average age of first-time homebuyers continues to rise, more individuals are renting longer — and often without access to high-quality, attainable options. Overland Reserve aims to fill that gap by providing housing that supports residents during this critical stage of life. The goal is to provide housing that is both attainable and well-designed.”
Jeff Anneke, regional vice president at DBS Group, said the project reflects a shift in how workforce housing is being approached.
“Projects like this are asking how to deliver quality housing more efficiently, without giving up the design details people value,” Anneke said. “That balance is becoming more important as communities like Rochester continue to grow.”
A groundbreaking is scheduled for 2 p.m. on April 24 at the project site. A brief program will be followed by a celebration at Two Sisters Kitchen & Bar in Oronoco, just north of the project site.
