Rising Rent Pressures
The median monthly asking rent in the U.S. has climbed to nearly $2,000, marking a 20% increase since March 2020. This surge is straining household budgets and intensifying the need for more affordable housing solutions.
Norhart’s Innovative Approach
Norhart, a Minnesota-based construction and property management company and member of SFIA, is tackling this challenge head-on. By leveraging cold-formed steel (CFS) framing and offsite manufacturing, Norhart is accelerating construction timelines and reducing costs by up to 30%—with a goal to reach 50% savings.
Offsite Manufacturing at EVE Facility
At Norhart’s EVE apartment manufacturing facility in Forest Lake, steel wall panels, ceilings, and floors are prefabricated before being transported to construction sites. A dedicated 25-person team completes framing, bracing, drywalling, and weatherproofing—all within a controlled factory environment.
Key Capabilities:
- In-house stud forming from steel coils
- Precision cutting for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC integration
- Rapid output: One wall every 15 minutes, enabling production of 2.5 apartment units per day
Why Cold-Formed Steel Framing Works
CFS is the preferred material for prefabricated structures due to its:
- Pre-engineered precision
- Dimensional stability (no warping or expansion)
- Lightweight yet durable composition
- High tensile strength and fire resistance
- 100% recyclability and sustainability
Impact on Construction Timelines
Norhart’s streamlined process has already reduced apartment build times from 15 months to 9 months, according to CEO Mike Kaeding. This efficiency directly supports their mission to lower rent by cutting construction costs.
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