The Northern: 7-Story Mixed-Use Development Proposed in Midtown Bozeman

A proposal has been submitted to the City of Bozeman for a seven-story mixed-use building at 621 W. Mendenhall Street, currently the site of Eckroth Music. 

What is "The Northern"? 

The Northern is a proposed 7-story mid-rise multifamily building totaling approximately 125,670 square feet. The development would include: 

• 81 residential apartment units

• 3,520 square feet of ground-floor commercial space

• 75 structured parking spaces, including one full level below grade and two partial decks

• A rooftop amenity deck and shared resident amenities

The project is located at the northeast corner of North 7th Avenue and West Mendenhall Street, within the Midtown Urban Renewal District and the Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District, though it is not within a designated historic district. 

The proposal includes the demolition of the existing one-story commercial building, originally constructed in 1973. City records indicate the structure is not considered a contributing or eligible historic building.

Architecturally, the proposed design incorporates upper-floor step-backs, a taller and more transparent ground floor, and a mix of materials including stone veneer, warm wood tones, steel, and glass. Streetscape improvements are planned along both Mendenhall Street and the adjacent alley, including enhanced landscaping, pedestrian pathways, and alley upgrades.

Affordable Housing Component

Unlike earlier descriptions that referenced affordable housing without detail, the updated submittal includes a formal Affordable Housing Plan.

• 6 of the 81 units (8%) will be deed-restricted at 80% of Area Median Income (AMI)

• Affordable units will be fully integrated throughout the building, not clustered

• Units will be indistinguishable from market-rate units in design and finish

• The affordability restriction will remain in place for 50 years

• Income verification and compliance will be managed by a qualified third-party property manager

In exchange, the project is utilizing the City of Bozeman’s Type A Affordable Housing Incentives, which allow for two additional stories of building height in the B-2M zoning district.

Parking and Transportation

While parking is not required for infill projects in the Midtown Urban Renewal District, the developer is proposing 75 on-site parking spaces. Vehicle access will be provided from both W. Mendenhall Street and the existing alley to the north, with additional bicycle parking and storage included on site.

Many Ongoing Developments in Midtown Bozeman

This is just one of many new projects reshaping Midtown Bozeman:

• A 4-story hotel is under construction at 507 W. Main Street, the former site of the City Center Motor Inn.
• Missouri Heights, a 5-story mixed-use building at 703 W. Mendenhall, is in final review with the city.
• The Aspen 8 project, a 289-unit housing development behind the U-Haul building, has received preliminary approval.
• A building with 95 apartments at 811 W. Mendenhall has also been preliminarily approved.
• A 171-unit residential project  along 7^th Avenue near the intersection with Aspen Street is currently under construction.

• The Guthrie Building, a 4-story building with 91 units, located at North 5th and Villard, has received city approval.

   

History of the Eckroth Music Building

Built in 1973, this building has been home to several well-loved Bozeman businesses. It started as Little Big Men Pizza Parlor, dishing out slices through the '70s and '80s. By the late ’80s, it had become the Video Library—a Friday night favorite for movie rentals and microwavable popcorn. Since the early 2000s, it’s been home to Eckroth Music.

The proposed development at 621 W. Mendenhall highlights the rapid transformation of Midtown Bozeman into a denser, more urbanized neighborhood. As the city evaluates these proposals, topics like affordable housing, walkability, and sustainable growth will remain at the forefront of public interest and policy discussion.

For updates on these developments as well as other information, sign up for our Local Info Newsletter. Shout out to Block Biome for keeping us up-to-date on development news.

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