By: Cody Nelson

Sally's Saloon and Eatery was torn down last week after closing July 18 to make way for construction of a 98-unit apartment complex.

CPM Property Management made a deal with Sally's to construct 700 Washington, a six-story, approximately $20 million student housing complex on the site — closing the restaurant until next summer. 700 Washington is expected to open in fall 2014.

Approval of the development was contingent on Sally's returning to its storefront on Washington Avenue Southeast once construction is finished. In a July 22 Minnesota Daily article, restaurant co-owner Chris Diebold said designs for the re-opened restaurant haven't been finalized, but the owners want it to be similar to what it once was.

“It will feel and look like Sally’s,” Diebold said, “but it won’t be the same Sally’s.”

Meghan Holden contributed to this report.