Since the first historic conversions of the North Star Woolen Blanket Factory in 1997, the Mill District has become the premier downtown Minneapolis neighborhood. Settled on the banks of the Mississippi and steeped in Minneapolis’s milling history, this downtown destination, with exclusive lofts and luxury condominiums, restaurants, historical and cultural centers, and stunning views of St. Anthony Falls, is like none other.
Here are just a few of this exciting urban neighborhood’s features that make it so unique.
North Star Lofts: Portland Avenue and 2nd Street South
Formerly the North Star Woolen Blanket Company building, this important structure, with its signature tower and sign, is one of the most recognizable buildings in what the National Registry of Historical Places recognizes as the St. Anthony Falls Historic District. When Brighton Development began residential conversion in the mid-1990s and finished in 1999, the building transformed from a neglected industrial ruin into thirty-seven stunningly designed residences. The architectural expertise and talent of Paul Madson & Associates are signatures of these premium lofts and condominiums, some of which have 24-foot high ceilings.
Stone Arch Lofts: 2nd Street between Park & Portland
Completed in 2000, the Stone Arch Lofts was the second riverfront residential building developed by Brighton Development and designed by architect Paul Madson. With seven stories and thirty-six homes, this building is connected by an outdoor walkway to its neighbor, the Washburn Lofts. Adjoining stairs lead from 2nd Street down to West River Parkway and the Mississippi River, Stone Arch Bridge, the mill ruins, and Gold Medal Park.
Washburn Lofts: 2nd Street South and West River Parkway at Park Avenue
Part of the historically significant Washburn A Mill Complex, the Washburn Lofts, developed by Brighton Development and designed by Paul Madson & Associates in 2001 and 2002, is a restoration of part of the Washburn-Crosby Milling Company complex. Once the site of the original Betty Crocker kitchen, this former flour mill now houses twenty-two true lofts that command views of downtown Minneapolis to the south, and Nicollet Island and the Mississippi River to the north. An open-air walkway and stairway joins 2nd Street and West River Parkway, allowing residents and visitors’ quick access to the adjacent Stone Arch Lofts, as well as to the Mississippi River, Stone Arch Bridge, and riverfront walking paths and bicycle trails
Humboldt Lofts: 2nd Street at Chicago Avenue
Comprising both new construction and historic renovation of the Humboldt Mill Annex, part of the original Washburn-Crosby Milling Company, the Humboldt Lofts was completed by Brighton Development in 2003; in 2004, its architect, Julie Snow of Julie Snow Architects, Inc., was awarded the Minneapolis Historic Preservation Commission Award by the City of Minneapolis, as well as the Honor Award by the Minnesota Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, for her work on this stunning building. With a rooftop patio commanding views of both downtown Minneapolis and a breathtaking span of the Mississippi River; this building is neighbor to the Mill City Museum and the world-famous Guthrie Theater.
Park Avenue Lofts: 2nd Street South and Park Avenue
Situated across 2nd Street from the Mill City Museum and the historic Washburn A Mill Complex, designed by award-winning architect Julie Snow, fits seamlessly into the Mill District’s urban residential neighborhood. Within blocks of the Mississippi River, with its walking and biking trails, as well as restaurants, galleries, Minneapolis’ new light rail, and the Guthrie Theater, this building sits at the heart of the city’s most energetic area.
Mill City Museum and Stone Arch Plaza: 704 South 2nd Street
With its stunning exterior and interior design, as well as its engaging collection and exhibits, the Mill City Museum is an anchor of the Mill District. Built within the charred ruins of the Washburn A Mill, a site designated a national landmark by the National Register of Historic Places and at one time the milling center of the world, this museum tells the story of Minneapolis’s flour mill past, the influence of the flour mill industry on the city’s growth, and the national and international impact of Minneapolis’s mill industry.
Guthrie Theater: Second Street at Chicago Avenue
First established in 1963 by Sir Tyrone Guthrie, the Guthrie Theater has brought both classical and contemporary theater to its stage for over forty years. Once located by the Walker Art Center, the theater relocated to the Mill District across from Humboldt Lofts, opening its doors in the summer of 2006. The award-winning dramatic blue building designed by renowned French architect Jean Nouvel and described by Nouvel as the color of the sky at twilight, draws crowds year-round. Known for its internationally acclaimed productions staged by the theater’s artistic director, Joe Dowling, the Guthrie boasts three different stages; Cue, a fine-dining restaurant; a café; Target Lounge, a spot for drinks, live music, and a view of the Mississippi; a gift shop; and its spectacular “endless bridge,” a cantilevered, two-storied, glass-walled lobby that gives visitors the sense of floating high above the Mississippi River.
Gold Medal Park
Awarded the 2007 Design Merit Award by the Minnesota Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects, Gold Medal Park is a green, tree-shaded expanse of 7.5 acres on the banks of the Mississippi just steps west on West River Parkway from the Mill Ruins Park, and the heart of the Mill District. Designed by Oslund and Associates, this beautiful public space, with its recognizable observation mound and numerous benches, gives visitors shade from over three hundred mature trees, including huckleberries, oaks, maples, and lindens, and a remarkable view of the Stone Arch Bridge.
Mill City Farmers Market: Chicago Avenue and 2nd Street South
Situated on the plaza between the Guthrie Theater and the Humboldt Lofts/Mill City Museum complex, the Mill City Farmers Market has invited visitors to sample locally grown organic agricultural products, as well as admire work by local artisans, since 2006. Founded by Brenda Langton, the chef and owner of nearby Spoonriver, in collaboration with the Mill City Museum, the market is open on Saturdays from 8 am until 1 pm from mid-May until mid-October. Cynthia Froid is a proud sponsor the market and its fun, family-friendly events, including live cooking demonstrations and musical performances.
MacPhail Center for the Arts: 501 2nd Street South
Currently an independent Minneapolis nonprofit organization, MacPhail Center for the Arts began with the founding of the MacPhail School of Violin in 1907 by Minneapolis Symphony violinist William S. MacPhail. Once affiliated with the University of Minnesota, MacPhail Center for the Arts remains dedicated to bringing music instruction and education to children and adults alike. Located in it’s new location in the heart of the Mill District, and designed by local architect James Dayton, MacPhail invites audiences to its Antonello Hall to enjoy over three hundred recitals each year by individual faculty and students, as well as by ensembles, with music ranging in style from classical to folk, rock to pop. As a nonprofit, MacPhail Center depends on the support of donors such as Cynthia Froid.
Open Book: 1011 Washington Avenue
The largest literary center in the country and the first such center dedicated solely to the literary arts, Open Book houses the Loft Literary Center, a nonprofit literary organization offering classes and programs to both writers and readers; the offices of Milkweed Editions, a nationally admired, independent literary press; the Minnesota Center for Book Arts, a center for printmaking, typesetting, papermaking, bookbinding, and other book arts; and Rosalux Gallery, an artist collective gallery showcasing the work of twenty-six artists. Designed by local architectural firm Meyer, Scherer, & Rockcastle, Open Book is comprised of three carefully renovated, turn-of-the-century buildings that retain the aura of their industrial past, and is located just a few blocks south of the Mississippi River and the center of the Mill District.
Neighborhood
Here are just a few of this exciting urban neighborhood’s features that make it so unique.
North Star Lofts: Portland Avenue and 2nd Street South
Stone Arch Lofts: 2nd Street between Park & Portland
Washburn Lofts: 2nd Street South and West River Parkway at Park Avenue
Humboldt Lofts: 2nd Street at Chicago Avenue
Park Avenue Lofts: 2nd Street South and Park Avenue
Mill City Museum and Stone Arch Plaza: 704 South 2nd Street
With its stunning exterior and interior design, as well as its engaging collection and exhibits, the Mill City Museum is an anchor of the Mill District. Built within the charred ruins of the Washburn A Mill, a site designated a national landmark by the National Register of Historic Places and at one time the milling center of the world, this museum tells the story of Minneapolis’s flour mill past, the influence of the flour mill industry on the city’s growth, and the national and international impact of Minneapolis’s mill industry.
Guthrie Theater: Second Street at Chicago Avenue
Gold Medal Park
Mill City Farmers Market: Chicago Avenue and 2nd Street South
MacPhail Center for the Arts: 501 2nd Street South
Open Book: 1011 Washington Avenue
The largest literary center in the country and the first such center dedicated solely to the literary arts, Open Book houses the Loft Literary Center, a nonprofit literary organization offering classes and programs to both writers and readers; the offices of Milkweed Editions, a nationally admired, independent literary press; the Minnesota Center for Book Arts, a center for printmaking, typesetting, papermaking, bookbinding, and other book arts; and Rosalux Gallery, an artist collective gallery showcasing the work of twenty-six artists. Designed by local architectural firm Meyer, Scherer, & Rockcastle, Open Book is comprised of three carefully renovated, turn-of-the-century buildings that retain the aura of their industrial past, and is located just a few blocks south of the Mississippi River and the center of the Mill District.