A-MILL ARTIST LOFTS
A-MILL ARTIST LOFTS
A-MILL ARTIST LOFTS Project Type
Developer
Consultants
Affordable / Creative Reuse Housing
Dominium
Affordable Housing Partners
Project Size
Architect
Commercial Partners
251 units
BKV Group
Cornerstone
Footprint
Interior Designer
Enhanced Historic Credit Partners
3.3 acres
BKV Group
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Number of Stories
Structural/Mechanical/Electrical
4-12 stories
BKV Group
Gross Square Footage
Landscape Architect
400,000 gross square feet
BKV Group
Project Cost
Civil Engineer
$105,750,000 (construction)
Loucks
Completion Date
Builder
November 2015
Weis Builders
Braun Intertec
Dougherty & Company
HDR Hennepin County Hess Roise Kennedy & Graven MacDonald & Mack Architects Marcy Holmes MacRostie Historic Advisors Minneapolis City of Lakes Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board Minnesota Historical Society MN DNR National Park Service St. Anthony Falls Heritage Board Stinson Leonard Street Sustology US Bank Winthrop Weinstine Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates BKV GROUP | 3
A-MILL ARTIST LOFTS
Intro Rising above the century-old cobblestones of Saint Anthony Main Street stands the historic Pillsbury A-Mill, a physical reminder of the origins of the city of Minneapolis and the landmark structure from which the “Mill City” and surrounding metropolitan area would eventually spring forth. Recent trends renewed interest in Minneapolis’ urban core, and along with it, a new demand for affordable housing, providing an opportunity to reuse the Pillsbury A-Mill in a way that supports Minneapolis and its burgeoning artistic culture. Today, A-Mill Artist Lofts nurtures artistry by providing a useful and affordable home for local artists while helping the neighbor hood thrive.
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A-MILL ARTIST LOFTS
PRE-DEVELOPMENT Once the world’s largest flour milling operation, A-Mill remained a production hub until operations shut down in 2003. The complex deteriorated as it sat vacant until 2011, when the National Trust for Historic Preservation included the mill on its list of 11 Most Endangered Places. In 2013, it was acquired with plans to transfor m the complex into affordable live-work artist apartments, reviving the District’s socioeconomic viability and redefining A-Mill as a source of artistic production.
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“This is the birthplace of Minneapolis industry. Nothing is more iconic than the Pillsbury Mill.”
A-MILL ARTIST LOFTS
Tom Streitz Minneapolis Director of Housing
and plans throughout the renovation process.
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P RE- D EVEL O PME NT / / E x is ting S it e Cont ex t & Ex plorat ion
Pillsbury A-Mill
FUTURE 4TH AVE. CONNECTION E. WUNERF
C. SINGLE LOADED PKG. IN WH #2 DOCK
B. TWO-LEVEL RAMP 2ND STREET SE
WAREHOUSE #2
ADJOINING PARCEL [NOT IN CONTRACT]
CLEANING HOUSE A MILL NORTH
A MILL SOUTH
RED TILE
DORAN PHASE 2
S I X T H AV E S E
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T H I R D AV E S E
F I F T H AV E S E
MACHINE SHOP
DORAN PHASE 1
WAREHOUSE #1
MAIN STREET SE
F . VERTICAL PLANTINGS A. SUNKEN RUINS GARDEN - OPTION ENTRY HALL
Site Plan - B
D. FLOUR CONE SCULPTURAL ELEMENTS
ctions
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“As the neighbor of the project, we are thrilled that building has been saved for its historic value, and our community is looking forward to the increased vitality that the new residents will bring to our neighbor hood.”
Elizabeth R yan Vice President & CEO Minneapolis Family Housing
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P RE- D EVEL O PME NT / / E x is ting Cond it ions
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P RE- D EVEL O PME NT / / Sit e C ont ex t & V isioning
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P RE- D EVEL O PME NT / / I n t e r io r V isioning
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Pillsbury A Mill
A-MILL ARTIST LOFTS
Past
Present
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT The design team wanted the renovation to be as accurate and respectful as possible. They spent countless hours researching historic documents, drawings, and available photos. Through this effort, they were able to restore and refurbish many of the exterior details. Where historic fabric was destroyed, the design team inserted new features in a complimentary yet contemporary way.
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D ESI G N D EV E L O PME N T / /
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Humphrey Manlift Bin bottoms to be preserved Historic entry
Level 1 Floor Plan
Level LevelI I Floor Plan
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Pillsbury A Mill
Level II Floor Plan
Level II II Floor Plan Level
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Pillsbury A Mill
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Pillsbury A Mill
A-MILL ARTIST LOFTS
D ESI G N D EV E L O PME N T / / F loor Plans
AMILL LEVEL ONE: REFERENCE PLAN JUNE 28, 2013
Level 1 Floor Plan
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FIRST FLOOR FURNITURE PLAN JUNE 28, 2013
Level 1 Fur niture Plan
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D ESI G N D EV E L O PME N T / / V isioning
MAIN ENTRY/RECEPTION Main Entry and Reception V isioning JUNE 28, 2013
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MAIN CIRCULATION GALLERY SPACE AND RECEPTION JUNE 28, 2013
Main Gallery Space and Reception V isioning
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D ESI G N D EV E L O PME N T / / V isioning
‐FLOORPLAN ‐IMAGES OF TRACK AND PENDANT ‐Furniture images
Interior Gallery Space V isioning INTERIOR GALLERY SPACE JUNE 28, 2013
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Pre-Function Space SPACE andAND Bar PRE‐FUNCTION BAR V isioning JUNE 28, 2013
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D ESI G N D EV E L O PME N T / / L ower Level
AMILLLevel LOWER LEVEL REFERENCE PLAN Lower Reference Plan JUNE 28, 2013
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Historic Imagery Wall Graphic HISTORIC IMAGERY WALL GRAPHIC
YOGA
LOUNGE CIRCULATION
FLEX LOUNGE
FITNESS
Lower Level Lounge V isioning LOWER LEVEL LOUNGE JUNE 28, 2013
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D ESI G N D EV E L O PME N T / / V isioning
CLAY TILE FEATURE Clay T ile Feature StairSTAIR Exploration JUNE 28, 2013
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FLOOR CLUBROOM Level 7SEVENTH Clubroom V isioning JUNE 28, 2013
13 DOMINIUM
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D ESI G N D EV E L O PME N T / / V isioning
Level 7 Clubroom V isioning SEVENTH FLOOR CLUBROOM JUNE 28, 2013
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TYP. ELEVATOR ENTRY AMILL
TYP. ELEVATOR ENTRY SOUTH MILL
TYP. ELEVATOR ENTRY RED TILE
ELEVATOR ENTRY WH2‐ LEVEL ONE
KEY PLANS
ELEVATOR LOBBIES Wayfinding:WAYFINDING: Elevator Lobbies Exploration JUNE 28, 2013
15 DOMINIUM
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D ESI G N D EV E L O PME N T / / E x plorat ion
ENTRY FROM GARAGE INTO RED TILE BUILDING KEY PLAN:
INSTALLATION IMAGE
KEY PLAN
Wayfinding: Parking Garage Main Entrances Exploration WAYFINDING: PARKING GARAGE MAIN ENTRANCES JUNE 28, 2013
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SOUTH MILL TYPICAL UNIT ENTRIES
WH2 TYPICAL UNIT ENTRIES
Wayfinding: Unit Entries Exploration WAYFINDING: UNIT ENTRIES JUNE 28, 2013
17 DOMINIUM
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D ESI G N D EV E L O PME N T / / E x plorat ion
AMILL UNIT ENTRIES
RED TILE TYPICAL UNIT ENTRIES
WAYFINDING: UNIT ENTRIES JUNE 28, 2013
Wayfinding: Unit Entries Exploration
18 DOMINIUM
UPDATE
WAREHOUSE 2: REFERENCE PLAN JUNE 28, 2013
Warehouse 2: Reference Plan
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D ESI G N D EV E L O PME N T / / U nit V isioning
2: REFERENCE PLAN Warehouse WAREHOUSE 2: Clubroom Reference Plan JUNE 28, 2013
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UNITSV isioning Dwelling Unit JUNE 28, 2013
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A-MILL ARTIST LOFTS
SUSTAINABILITY & SITE More than 75% of A-Mill’s power is derived from river water that flows through historic tunnels, powering a hydroelectric turbine. River water is also used for hydrother mal heating and cooling, further enhancing the building’s energy efficiency. This and other sustainable solutions allowed A-Mill to achieve LEED Gold status. The Hydroelectric Project consists of the redevelopment of a basic diversion system that historically routed a fraction of the Mississippi River’s flow around St. Anthony Falls. The principal infrastructure was constructed more than 130 years ago to utilize hydro-mechanical energy for milling grain. Combining modern generating equipment and controls with existing raceway and drop shaft infrastructure will generate clean, renewable energy for on-site use. The A-Mill Artist Lofts Hydroelectric Project presents a unique opportunity to restore the power generating capability at the site that has sat untapped for more than 50 years.
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A-MILL ARTIST LOFTS
POWERING THE MILL Repurposing the vacant mill into necessary affordable housing and collaboration space for artists revitalizes the neighbor hood while meeting the present needs of the city. Utilizing the existing hydroelectric power system preserves A-Mill’s longstanding connection to the river while providing sustainable energy solutions. Transfor ming the historic rail path into a modern wooner f provides movement through the complex while connecting the community.
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A-MILL ARTIST LOFTS
“I was very drawn to moving here to the A-Mill because I knew I would be living with other artists. There’s an important sense of being with other artists that is invigorating. What’s fantastic about my view is that I look out and I see all these sights where I have placed dancers.” Marylee Hardenbergh Choreographer A-Mill Resident
THE FINAL PRODUCT Two key ingredients have fueled the successful development and operation of the A-Mill Artist Lofts. First, the city of Minneapolis had made the development of affordable housing a priority over the last several years. Second, the city is home to a thriving creative class, drawing artists from across the Midwest and nation. This provided an opportunity to reuse the Pillsbury A-Mill complex to support Minneapolis and its burgeoning artist community. Second, the adaptive reuse of a vacant mill and warehouse into viable residential living spaces has changed the socio-economic viability of the neighbor hood with shops, restaurants and cafes flourishing nearby. The artistic energy created by the A-Mill has also reinvigorated the city’s embrace of the river with bridges and sidewalks adjacent to the river filled with residents, neighbors and visitors enjoying the vibrant river front community. As a testament to the vision of the project and the need for quality, affordable housing, the project was fully leased immediately after opening. The current waiting list is over 1,000 people, and with the project being 100% affordable housing under Section 42, 100% of the units rented are to individuals who earn less than 60% of the area median income (AMI), creating equitable access for many Minneapolitans to enjoy their vibrant river front community.
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A-MILL ARTIST LOFTS
EX T ERI O R
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EX T ERI O R
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EX T ERI O R
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THE “WOONER F” Transfor ming the historic rail path into a modern wooner f (Dutch ter m meaning “living street”) preserves movement through the complex while connecting surrounding developments. Integrating a shared walkway provides the community with a lively, social environment and paths extending to the vibrant river front.
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INT ERI O R
A C OM M UNI TY OF AR TI S TS The outreach to artists is integral to the project, and can be seen throughout the building. Several well-known Minnesota artists were commissioned for various pieces throughout the first-floor common spaces. In addition, galleries and corridors throughout the buildings are filled with the residents’ work, further demonstrating how the building truly has become its own art community.
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A-MILL ARTIST LOFTS
INT ERI O R
The building retained many of the historic features of the original mill including the original stone foundation and exterior. The interior design also incorporated much of the mill’s internal operations equipment such as chutes, pulleys, and lifts, seamlessly integrating them into the new spaces to create a look that is bold and modern, but also tells the story of the building’s past. In addition to the apartment units, A-Mill also houses spaces for clay artistry, music, photography, and paint studios, and several public spaces where resident artists can display their works.
pment, seamlessly integrating them into ghlighted with accent lighting to bring
In order to accent the existing structure, the design team strove to keep historic pieces exposed as much as possible. Remnants of these flour bins were cut and circles on the floor represent where the bins passed
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A-MILL ARTIST LOFTS
INT ERI O R
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A-MILL ARTIST LOFTS
A - MI LL AM ENI TI ES Amenities for the artists include a historic lobby, two clubrooms, prefunction spaces, fitness areas, lounges, and studio space. The art studio spaces are located in the lower levels and feature natural lighting and textural historic stone walls. These rooms provide state-of-the-art equipment – kilns, advanced acoustics, and lighting capabilities. Other studios are located throughout the buildings and are tailored to dance, sound, media, and per for mance. The units are all unique loft-style floorplans with clean detailing, historic windows, and milling equipment relics. This affordable housing project offers artists a beautiful home with exceptional opportunities. BKV GROUP | 61
A-MILL ARTIST LOFTS
INT ERI O R
AR T I S T S T U D I O S A-Mill provides several shared studio spaces that encourage cross-pollination of creative ideas and expressions amongst residents. Multi-functional spaces are available to both residents and the community at-large to meet. Locally sourced art is commissioned and displayed through the complex, providing employment for residents and emphasizing that “art lives here.”
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INT ERI O R
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INT ERI O R
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FI RM O V E RV I E W
A-MILL ARTIST LOFTS
BKV GROUP BKV Group is a holistic design fir m providing a full complement of architecture, interior design, engineering, landscape architecture, and construction administration services. Our core belief is that regardless of project type, design has a profound impact on the community, and our responsibility as a multidisciplinary fir m is to enhance the economic, aesthetic, social, and environmental context of the communities we shape and design. Since 1978, BKV Group has grown from a sole proprietorship into a diverse partnership with 200+ employees sharing knowledge across practice sites in Chicago, Dallas, Minneapolis, and Washington, DC, creating relevant and meaningful design solutions that allow our clients’ dreams to become a reality.
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A-MILL ARTIST LOFTS
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