December typically isn’t a time when developers break ground on a new project, but Luzy Ostreicher is anything but typical. The New York-based developer has built a reputation for significant, community-transforming projects, the latest of which is Incline Village in Duluth.
On December 10, 2024, after a slight delay caused by high interest rates and skyrocketing construction costs, Ostreicher and his team finally broke ground on the Northland property. Present was a large gathering of city officials and local residents, many of whom welcomed the housing development.
Incline Village will rise on a site formerly occupied by the city’s historic Duluth Central High School. Despite its initially rocky start, expectations are high for the development’s contributions to the community’s residential and business sectors.
The groundbreaking ceremony was marked by a news conference in which Ostreicher presented the city with a menorah, an important symbol of his family’s Orthodox Jewish faith. On a personal level, the menorah signifies Ostreicher’s close affinity with Duluth, which inspired his decision to invest in the city’s continuing growth and development.
Ostreicher first came to Duluth in 2016 and was immediately captivated by the city’s unique atmosphere, which strongly focused on its culture and heritage. The developer was also drawn to the residents’ community spirit, seeing it as vital to social and economic development.
Ostreicher and his family initially invested in other properties in Duluth, particularly the Endi and Kenwood Village apartment complexes. This undertaking further impressed upon him the business and investment potential that the city offered.
After that, it didn’t take much convincing for Ostreicher to purchase the former Duluth Central site, which had been idle for 13 years. This was to be the site of the new Incline Village.
The location is well-chosen, offering impressive views of Lake Superior and downtown Duluth. Incline Village will be ideally situated to capture the best features of the area and will have 1,180 rental units, 120 condominiums, and an expansive retail space covering over 80,000 square feet.