Saint John's University

Seton Townhomes & Nicol Pedestrian Bridge

An exterior, head-on view of the Seton Townhome front entries in the Flynntown Village
Students study and gather in the kitchen of one of the Seton Townhomes' multi-student residences
A student studies at their desk in their bedroom overlooking the Nicol pedestrian bridge
A student walks toward the bedrooms in a Seton Townhome
An exterior view of the Seton Townhome front entries in the Flynntown Village
The Nicol pedestrian bridge stretches over Stumpf Lake on the SJU campus
An aerial view of the Seton Townhomes phase 1 development in Flynntown Village
Students gather in the kitchen of one of the Seton Townhomes' accessible units
An exterior view of the Seton Townhome front entries in the Flynntown Village

Saint John's University

Seton Townhomes & Nicol Pedestrian Bridge

Collegeville, Minn.

Project Details

Top Projects of 2022, Finance & Commerce, Minnesota

A new phased townhouse-style development located in Flynntown Village provides a flexible environment for 144 upperclassmen on the Saint John’s University (SJU) campus. The project is the first step to realign SJU’s housing inventory to better fit the wants and needs of upperclassmen, who typically prefer apartment-style living over dorms.

Each townhome unit features six bedrooms with shared communal spaces. The development also includes one-bedroom units, which meet the needs of individuals who have food allergies or require accessible living accommodations. Ample green space helps to encourage a healthy residential community with opportunities to gather.

The two phases flank the new Nicol pedestrian bridge (also designed by BWBR) over Stumpf Lake that connects back to the academic heart of campus. The bridge is a safe, welcoming gateway to Flynntown Village. Its location redirects foot traffic away from a busy roadway into campus, and the structure includes integrated lighting and the capacity for service vehicle use.

Project Specs

Size: 45,300 sq. ft. (Phase 1); 21,000 sq. ft. (Phase 2)

Components: 270-foot-long pedestrian bridge; the design team took care to preserve existing trees on the site; clean and effective stormwater run-off management was crucial with the development being adjacent to the lake

Completion: 2022 (Phase 1); 2023 (Phase 2)