Eagan's Building Boom: 1,400 New Homes, Veterans Housing, and a Former Airport Site Getting a Second Life
TLDR
Eagan added $620 million in new property value in 2025
Over 1,400 new homes and 400 affordable homes built in the past five years
Two years ago Eagan had 2+ million sq ft of vacant office space — much of it now redeveloped
A former Northwest Airlines data site is becoming ~1,000 new homes
Two new housing projects specifically for veterans are open or under construction
Two years ago, Eagan had a problem. More than 2 million square feet of empty office space sat around the city — left behind as companies downsized or shifted to hybrid work. That's a lot of nothing.
At the 2026 State of the City, Mayor Mike Maguire laid out how Eagan turned that problem into momentum. The numbers are pretty striking. For everything else covered that morning, check out the [full 2026 State of the City recap](LINK_TO_OVERVIEW_POST: eagan-state-of-the-city-2026-recap).
The Development Scoreboard
In 2025 alone, Eagan added $620 million in new property valuation between housing and commercial development. That's money flowing into the tax base that funds parks, roads, and city services.
Here's what's driving it:
Solventum — the 3M healthcare spinoff — is nearing completion on its conversion of the former Blue Cross Blue Shield call center on Yankee Doodle Road into its new global headquarters. The building at 1750 Yankee Doodle Road is being outfitted for roughly 600-800 employees daily. It's a massive activation of a building that was sitting mostly empty. KSTP has a good rundown on how the Solventum deal came together.
Hunt Electric is putting $11.5 million into renovating the Spectrum Office Building for 500 employees. Another older commercial space breathing new life.
CLA's Connection Center — where the State of the City was held — represents a $10 million investment and brings a steady flow of visitors and training events to Eagan.
The Omni Hotel at Vikings Lakes is expanding with a new outdoor pool, spa, and amenities area, opening next year. Vikings Lakes keeps growing as a destination hub.
The Housing Picture
Over the last five years, Eagan added 1,400 new homes and 400 affordable homes. That's real progress on a housing challenge that's been growing across the whole metro.
Two projects specifically for veterans deserve attention:
Veterans Village on Ron Road is currently under construction — 22 supportive housing units for veterans who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness.
Nicholls Point at Cedar Grove recently opened near the Cedar Grove transit hub. It's 24 units of affordable housing for seniors 55 and older, with a preference for veterans. The location is two bus stops from the VA — by design. You can learn more and apply through the Dakota County CDA's Nicholls Pointe page.
Both projects are partnerships with the Dakota County CDA. And this is just one piece of the broader investment story — Ecolab's [$500 million campus expansion](LINK_TO_TOPIC_POST: ecolab-500-million-eagan-expansion) is another major signal that Eagan is a city companies and institutions are doubling down on.
The Delta Data Site: A 1,000-Home Transformation
This is the one to watch going forward. The former Delta Data site on Towerview Road — which used to be the Northwest Airlines data center — has been purchased by the Dakota County CDA for $6 million.
The plan: turn the 39-acre site and functionally obsolete office building into approximately 1,000 new homes. About 20% will be set aside as affordable housing. The CDA is also looking at senior housing and family townhomes depending on community input.
The City of Eagan Community Development team has been working with the CDA to shape a vision for the site. Construction isn't imminent, but the planning is actively underway.
Helping Existing Residents Stay Put
Growth isn't just about building new things. The city has also been working to help residents stay in the homes they already own.
Through the CDA partnership, Eagan has offered home improvement loans, radon mitigation grants, and deferred assessments for low and moderate income homeowners — particularly in the Wijon Woods area. One homeowner who spoke at the State of the City said city staff went beyond their expectations in proactively finding funding sources to help with deferred maintenance issues. The full details on what's available are on the City of Eagan housing resources page.
The Bottom Line
Eagan isn't done building. The city is launching its 2050 Comprehensive Plan this year — a 25-year framework that will guide where housing, businesses, and infrastructure go next. Community engagement opportunities will be coming throughout the year.
If you're a homeowner, a renter, or just someone who cares about what Eagan looks like in 20 years, this plan is worth paying attention to. Follow all our Eagan coverage to stay up to date as things develop.
FAQ
What is Solventum and where is it going in Eagan?
Solventum is the healthcare company that spun off from 3M. It's setting up its global headquarters at a former Blue Cross Blue Shield building at 1750 Yankee Doodle Road in Eagan, bringing over 1,100 employees.
What's happening at the old Delta Data / Northwest Airlines site?
The Dakota County CDA bought the 39-acre site on Towerview Road for $6 million. Plans call for roughly 1,000 new homes, with about 20% as affordable housing. Senior housing and family townhomes are also being considered.
Who is eligible for the home improvement loans and grants?
The programs are geared toward low and moderate income homeowners. Contact the Dakota County CDA directly for eligibility details at dakotacda.org.
What's different about the Nicholls Point veterans housing?
Nicholls Point is specifically designed for seniors 55+ with a preference for veterans. It's located near the Cedar Grove transit hub — two stops from the VA hospital by bus. It opened in spring 2025.
What is the 2050 Comprehensive Plan?
It's a long-range planning document the city is kicking off now. It will guide decisions about housing, jobs, redevelopment, and infrastructure through 2050. The city will be hosting community engagement opportunities throughout 2026 — watch cityofeagan.com for details.
