feature 32 single family villa homes for seniors and empty nesters. The development is a project of Simek Property Group and earth is being moved for the project at Pleasant and Northridge Drives.

Prices for the single-stay homes start at $400,000. The villas will range in size from 1,418 to 3,000 square feet.

The St. Paul-based developer is a franchise builder of Epson Communities, based in Ohio. Epcon Communities are located in 18 states and target those 55-plus.

The Villas at Pleasant will feature private courtyards and a homeowner’s association.

“We are building a community of people who want to live life on their terms. People who want to enjoy more free time and are looking for a simpler life that includes a low maintenance lifestyle. People who want social interaction with their neighbors,” a promotional pierce from Epson states.

Epson is offering several different villa options, starting at 1,418 square feet with 2-3 bedrooms.

The properties are being marketed by Coeur Real Estate Group. The Villas at Pleasant were initially going to be built in two phases. However, the construction scheduled was advanced because of high interest in the project.

Heritage Ridge

Heritage Ridge features 40 traditional and villa homes and is being developed by Creative Homes at General Sieben and Fallbrooke Drive.

Creative Homes has developed communities throughout the Twin Cities area with projects in Hugo, Hudson, Lake Elmo, Woodbury, Blaine, Dayton, New Richmond, River Falls and Stillwater, in addition to Hastings.

Heritage Ridge single family homes start at $439,900 and are 1,6354,271 square feet with two to five bedrooms. Heritage Ridge Villas start at $411,900 and range from 1,592 – 3,365 square feet for two-to-fourbedroom units.

So far, the City of Hastings has approved phase one of the project, which includes nine lots, and the second phase of the development is on the city’s docket for approval this spring. That will include 30 homes.

Schoolhouse Square

Schoolhouse Square Senior Housing is expected to break ground in June and be completed in summer 2022.It is being developed by Real Estate Equities. Real Estate Equities is based in St. Paul and has “Village Cooperative” projects developed across the nation, including in Red Wing.

Plans were unveiled for the project in 2019.

Final plans are still being finalized in Hastings but will include 90 units.

Vermillion Acres

Vermillion Acres is a project of Mint Development and Headwater Development. The firms have received site approvals to build the 75unit, three-story apartment building. Vermillion Acres will offer assisted living and memory care units.

IT will be built north of County Road 47 at Ridgewood Drive, 1190 County Road 47.

The site has been rezoned and the Hastings Plan Commission and City Council have reviewed the project.

Building is expected to start later this year and be finished next summer.

The Confluence

The Confluence project underway in the former Hudson Manufacturing Building at 200 West 2nd St. will include 20 “market rate” apartments.

The overall Confluence projects entrails renovation of the former 100,000square-foot manufacturing facility into apartments, a hotel and commercial space. A new riverfront park, deck and trail expansion is also included.

According to the City of Hastings, “Portions of the facility will be open by the end of 2021.”

The City of Hastings acquired the property in 2010. The Confluence is a partnership of the city, Hastings Economic Development and Redevelopment Authority and Confluence Development, LLC. The project overall has hit an apparent slowdown, obviously because of the pandemic but project partners have pleaded that they are still committed to the project.

And online leasing site states that apartments will be available for rent at the site in 2022, though no floorplans are available for view.

The Confluence Hotel will open in 2022, according to IDM Hospitality, the Madison, WI-based firm partnering in its development.

The firm owns hotels throughout the Midwest and The Confluence will be part of its “Heritage Collection,” built in renovated historic buildings.

Schoolhouse Square Senior Housing Construction will start this year with the facility open in 2022.

Vermillion Acres will be an assisted living and memory care facility.

This historic view of Hudson Manufacturing will be home to The Confluence development, with housing units slated to open in 2022.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held this month at Villas at Pleasant, under construction now at Pleasant and Northridge Drives. Pictured from left are Dakota County Commissioner Mike Slavik; City of Hastings Economic Development Coordinator Eric Maass; Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau Executive Director Kristy Barse; Stuart Simek, Simek Property Group; Cory Kochendorfer, CORUR Real Estate Group, and Acting Mayor/Councilmember Lori Braucks. Photo courtesy of City of Hastings.

Construction has started on the first phase of Heritage Ridge. Photo courtesy of the City of Hastings.