First modular units arrive for The Heights apartment project in Grand Marais
On Monday, Aug. 4, The Heights apartment project reached a significant milestone with the arrival of the first modular unit in Grand Marais.
The Heights apartment project, located immediately east of Up Yonder along Hwy 61, is a 36-unit modular apartment building. Rather than a traditional stick-built apartment complex, The Heights is comprised of 36 modular components that are currently being built by Dynamic Homes in Detroit Lakes, Minn., and will be transported by semi one at a time up Hwy 61 and then assembled.
“It’s the start of the process,” said Project Manager Gary Latz. “It’s one more box that we’re checking that we’re getting closer to finality here.”
The first two modular units arrive in Grand Marais | Photo by Kalli Hawkins
Four of the 36 modular units were expected to arrive in Grand Marais on Aug. 4. Unfortunately, one of the semis broke down in Duluth and was unable to make it to Grand Marais. “And so three units arrived all together,” Latz said.
Each of the modular units is 65 feet long and 15 feet wide, weighing 78,000 pounds. The interiors are mostly complete with carpeting and flooring already installed. Latz said once the building is assembled on site, fixtures such as appliances and ceiling fans will be installed. The exterior of the modular units, once assembled, will also need siding and a roof.
Project Manager Gary Latz in front of the first modular unit | Photo by Kalli Hawkins
Project Manager Gary Latz in front of the first modular unit | Photo by Kalli Hawkins
The modular units are being stored at a separate location and will be transported to The Heights property starting on the day of assembly, which is Sept. 9. On the day of assembly, Latz said a large crane will lift each of the modular units and set them in place.
“When we start assembling the building, it’s kind of like a Lego set,” Latz said.
With numerous interior and exterior tasks to complete following the assembling of the modular units on site, the project is anticipated to be completed later in the fall. Latz said he hopes to have tenants moving in before the winter arrives. In the coming month or so, Latz said The Heights will be launching a website and additional information for prospective tenants.
The 36-unit Heights apartments will be a mix of studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units. Latz said of the 36 units, 18 will be market rate, and 18 will have income restrictions based on Area Median Income (AMI). Minnesota Housing determines the AMI by county, which is used to base reduced rent guidelines.
The 18 units designated for income restrictions will fall within the range of 60% to 80% AMI. In Cook County, the maximum gross income for a single individual applying for a unit at 80% AMI is $54,320. Latz said that for a single individual applying for a unit at 60% AMI, the maximum gross income is approximately $40,000.
The Heights project is a collaborative investment initiative led by the Cook County Real Estate Fund (CCREF) and has been in development for over three years.
WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins sat down with Project Manager Gary Latz to talk about the arrival of the first modular units, an update on The Heights project, and more. The audio from the interview is below.
Kalli Hawkins August 6, 2025
