Project Stats
Client: CommonBond Communities
Completion: June 2007
Total area: 26,200 sf
Units: 25
Construction Cost: $2.9M


Project Description
Kingsley Commons is the first multihousing in Minnesota specifically designed to meet the needs of people with multiple sclerosis. It results from several years’ effort by the Powderhorn Community Council, the Minnesota Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and CommonBond Communities to raise funds, find a site and bring their vision to reality.

Providing 25 one- and two-bedroom apartments with universal design features, Kingsley Commons is located on a woodsy site along Shingle Creek and shares a campus with a 75-residence community for independently living seniors.

Working aesthetically with this campus concept, Miller Hanson has designed the 26,000-square-foot Kingsley Commons building with gables, gray siding and red brick complementary to its neighbor.

Landscaping will feature similar species and outdoor light fixtures will be identical. The two buildings will share a driveway and sidewalks, creating a natural access between them. (Plans are afoot for a program in which residents of the senior community would volunteer at Kingsley Commons.)



Accessible Design Features
• Accessible unit kitchens featuring: side-by-side refrigerators, front controls at ranges; 34” high counters, bottom shelf of wall cabinets at 48” high; Storage below roll-under counters, roll-out shelving at pantries.

• Accessible unit bathrooms including: accessible showers with fold-down seat; linen closets with roll-out shelving; 5’ turning radius; and grab bars at toilet and shower

• Unit entry doors pre-wired for easy installation of automatic door operators

• 3’-6” wide passage doorways at common areas and inside units

• Community room featuring: accessible kitchen with raised dishwasher and microwave; entertainment center; and fireplace

• Community spa featuring: side-entry whirlpool tub; roll-in shower; and hair care sink

• Outdoor community patio and gazebo featuring: accessible BBQ kitchen; accessible chess/checkerboard table; and raised planting beds

• Larger 4,500# elevator with emergency generator back-up power

• 5’ wide corridors increasing to 7’ at unit entries

• Community laundry room with wheelchair wash; and accessible folding counter

• Accessible janitor’s closets on each floor

• Pneumatically operated, ADA compliant, trash chutes at second and third floors

• Automatic main entrance doors


One Bedroom - 540sf

Two Bedroom - 800sf