Restoring Waters and Nellie Francis Court, two transformative developments in St. Paul, MN, have been honored with the 2025 Minnesota Real Estate Journal Award in the Affordable Housing category. Presented annually, the award celebrates Minnesota’s top real estate achievements and developments – projects that exemplify innovation, impact and community value. Both Restoring Waters and Nellie Francis stand out as models of how housing can address complex social challenges with compassion and purpose.

“These developments represent what’s possible when real estate is used as a tool for lasting change,” said Chris Jillings, Cinnaire Senior Vice President, Business Development. “It’s not just about financing buildings – it’s about investing in the people who will call these places home. Restoring Waters and Nellie Francis Court show how thoughtful design, strong partnerships, and supportive services can create stability and hope. We’re honored to be part of something that will make a difference for generations to come.”

Cinnaire, through a strategic partnership with the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund, provided a $7.1 million Low Income Tax Credit (LIHTC) investment to support Restoring Waters and a $7.1 million LIHTC investment to support Nellie Francis Court.

Restoring Waters and Nellie Francis Court, developed by Project for Pride in Living (PPL) and built by Ryan Companies, bring much-needed affordable and supportive housing to St. Paul’s Highland Bridge neighborhood – a visionary, master-planned community rising on the former Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant site along the Mississippi River, between St. Paul and Minneapolis. Designed to foster an inclusive and vibrant neighborhood, Highland Bridge features a blend of housing, green space, retail and transit access.

Restoring Waters, developed in partnership with Emma Norton Services, offers more than 60 homes for formerly homeless individuals and families, with a focus on trauma-informed care, stability, and healing. The state-of-the-art development incorporates key features of a trauma0informed dignity and respect for residents, safety and privacy, inviting spaces, and a sense of stability and security.

Next door, Nellie Francis Court adds 75 apartments for low-income working households. The building features a community room, workspace, wellness space, bike room and underground parking.

This recognition from the Minnesota Real Estate Journal underscores the power of partnership, innovation, and purpose-driven development. Cinnaire is honored to be alongside our partners including Project for Pride in Living, Emma Norton Services, Greater Minnesota Housing Fund, and the Ryan Companies in this important work – and we look forward to continuing to build stronger communities across the Twin Cities and beyond.