Skyline Tower

Skyline Tower is a large low-income high rise apartment complex in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States. The building is also often called St. Anthony Tower, or 1247 St. Anthony. At 240 feet (73 m) it is the largest single HUD-subsidized building in Minnesota, and the 22nd-tallest building in Saint Paul. With over 500 units it is the largest single-building subsidized housing complex in the U.S. west of Chicago. The building is run by CommonBond Communities, the largest developer or owner of affordable rental housing in Minnesota. The nonprofit bought the building in 2000 with the help of U.S. Bank. The building was previously owned by Skyline Towers Co and managed by Sentinel Management Co.

History

Skyline Tower opened in 1971 as part of HUD's section 236 program. It was then sold to private owners, converting to federally subsidized housing. The owner, Sentinel Management, struggled to address drug problems, crime, and a deteriorating building. A series of fires in 1998–1999 led to an increased push for sprinkler systems. Service agencies also struggled to provide services to the building's low-income residents, often running out money before long-term change could be enacted. In 1991 an attempt to evict drug users and problem tenants significantly lowered the building’s occupancy levels. Occupancy was boosted from 60% to 95%, creating more money for maintenance concerns. However, by 2000 the 1986 exterior installation and finishing was failing, the 1970s appliances, cabinets and plumbing were in need of refurbishing and common space was limited. Finding itself unable to finance the necessary major improvements and wishing to avoid tearing down the building, Sentinel Management agreed to sell the property to affordable housing non-profit CommonBond Communities in 2005.