When the clients returned to Minneapolis from living overseas, they acquired two raw shells in a historic building overlooking the Mississippi River in downtown Minneapolis. Originally built in 1879, the seven-story brick building had been a flour mill and a luxury hotel before becoming a condominium building. The raw shells had long been considered virtually unbuildable, as they were peppered with structural columns, mechanical stacks and other remnants of the past. Additional design challenges included code ramifications and weight restrictions of the historic building.
The clients’ design objectives included a balance of public and private spaces, a garden space and an art gallery/studio. They wanted the interiors to reflect the building’s rich past while providing a dramatic backdrop for panoramic views of the river. Taking inspiration from the building’s original palette of handcrafted industrial textures, including brick, timber, iron and glass, the architecture team worked closely with the clients and the interior design team to re-envision the space. Using the double-height, exposed brick walls as a starting point, the architect divided the expansive space with a gutsy steel mezzanine that does double-duty as an art gallery and studio while creating intimate private spaces below. Inspired by the clients' love of European Victorian architecture, the architect designed an innovative glass solarium that nods to London's 1851 Crystal Palace exhibition. Crafted of steel with hand-blown glass rondels, the solarium provides a transparent, verdant space between the owner's suite and the kitchen.
The architect worked closely with structural engineers and the condominium review board to add the mezzanine level and the solarium, resolve the structural challenges and maintain the existing required elements. Finished with custom millwork, luxe furnishings, original art and other details, the newly imagined loft adds immeasurable value to the building and helps preserve this important piece of the Minneapolis riverfront.
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