The Minneapolis and St. Louis Depot Revival

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T H E M I N N E A P O L I S & S T. L O U I S D E P O T R E V I V A L

2017 SD AIA Design Awards | Award Category C: Preservation & Adaptive Reuse | The Minneapolis and St. Louis Depot Revival 2

History of the Minneapolis & St. Louis Depot The 1907 Minneapolis & St. Louis Depot, built in classical revival style, was a passenger and mail railroad station in the “Hub City” of Aberdeen, South Dakota. At its peak, the Minneapolis & St. Louis Depot was a vital artery for the 26 daily passenger trains arriving in the Hub City. Passengers could purchase a ticket for ten cents in 1907.

With changing times, so were the owners, occupants, and uses for the historic Depot. By the late 50’s the railroad folded, and during the 1960’s and the 1970’s, “The Depot Club” as the building was known, was a happening local nightclub for live music and libations. During the renovation process many stories were shared with the design team by former patrons of the Depot Club, often telling vivid recollections of their wilder collegiate days. During the 1980’s and 90’s the building traded ownership often and housed numerous businesses, including an architecture firm, multiple contractors, a hot tub retailer, and others. By the 2010’s the building was falling into disrepair with serious water and masonry issues. Efforts in 2013 to raze the building and build a strip mall were stalled only because the building had been placed on the national register of historic places in 1976.

In 2015 a new owner began an extensive historic restoration effort, and the Minneapolis & St. Louis Depot was brought back to life. Much of the buildings architectural details, interior spaces, and historic ambience were restored. The project ultimately resulted in a preservation effort that now features a design studio and community banquet hall space.

In April of 2017 the Depot was enshrined in the South Dakota Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a contributing music venue. The Depot building continues to tell its historic story; over 110 years later.

2017 SD AIA Design Awards | Award Category C: Preservation & Adaptive Reuse | The Minneapolis and St. Louis Depot Revival 4

Design Concept The old Minneapolis & St. Louis Depot was falling down. Literally. Walls were falling down. Windows were broken.

The roof was badly damaged. With a passionate preservation effort the Depot was transformed from its state of despair, capturing the historic atmosphere of 1907. The intent was to respect the State Historical Preservation Office’s intent for exterior renovation, and allow the history and architecture of the building to tell its own unique story in the interior spaces. The design team’s philosophy was, “clean it up and get out of the way”. A beautiful gem was polished and brought back to life with the use of modern materials and techniques; allowing it to shine for another 100 years, all the while emitting its history and stories along the way.

Preservation Initiative • • • • • • • • •

Restoration & tuckpointing of historic brick Salvaged thousands of bricks from adjacent baggage building by hand Architecturally accurate new window design with anti-solar glazing Energy saving spray foam insulation - walls & roofs Sustainable, low maintenance, steel architectural roof tile and EPDM flat roofs Energy efficient HVAC air exchange system Preservation and relaying of stamped pavers at sidewalks Extensive ornate architectural plaster restorations Preservation and restoration of the original depot train signal

Before Images

2017 SD AIA Design Awards | Award Category C: Preservation & Adaptive Reuse | The Minneapolis and St. Louis Depot Revival 6

Site Context The Depot is located on South Main Street and 11th Ave SW, in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

The city earned the nickname “The Hub City”, as the area’s regional center for 9 railroad lines. The lines entered the city from all directions; resembling that of a bicycle spoke or hub, thus the “Hub City” moniker. The abandoned rail lines adjacent to the depot have long been removed, and a salvage yard immediately to the west has made way for small businesses and an apartment complex. The neighborhood on south main street - south of the downtown business district - is slowly changing, and the restored depot is supporting this transformation.

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2017 SD AIA Design Awards | Award Category C: Preservation & Adaptive Reuse | The Minneapolis and St. Louis Depot Revival

East Elevation: 1/16” = 1’

West Elevation: 1/16” = 1’

North Elevation: 1/16” = 1’

South Elevation: 1/16” = 1’

2017 SD AIA Design Awards | Award Category C: Preservation & Adaptive Reuse | The Minneapolis and St. Louis Depot Revival 10

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1. Grand Hall 2. Office Space 3. Conference Room 4. Break Area 5. Storage 6. Restrooms 7. Mechanical

Transverse Section: 1/16” = 1’

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Longitudinal Section: 1/16” = 1’

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Axonometric Floorplan: 1/16” = 1’

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2017 SD AIA Design Awards | Award Category C: Preservation & Adaptive Reuse | The Minneapolis and St. Louis Depot Revival

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2017 SD AIA Design Awards | Award Category C: Preservation & Adaptive Reuse | The Minneapolis and St. Louis Depot Revival

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2017 SD AIA Design Awards | Award Category C: Preservation & Adaptive Reuse | The Minneapolis and St. Louis Depot Revival

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2017 SD AIA Design Awards | Award Category C: Preservation & Adaptive Reuse | The Minneapolis and St. Louis Depot Revival

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2017 SD AIA Design Awards | Award Category C: Preservation & Adaptive Reuse | The Minneapolis and St. Louis Depot Revival

Aberdeen

Rapid City

Sioux Falls

1108 S Main Suite #102 Aberdeen, SD 57401 (605) 725-4852

1113 St. Joseph St. Rapid City, SD 57701 (605) 491-2485

300 N Phillips Ave Suite #120 Sioux Falls, SD 57104 (605) 334-9999