The North Loop has become a hot spot for commercial real estate activity. In the last 10 years, RJM Construction has completed over a million square feet in construction projects in this downtown Minneapolis neighborhood.
Historic Renovations
Also known as the Warehouse District, for most of its history the North Loop was an industrial area. Today it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places, requiring building projects to follow guidelines mandated by the State Historical Preservation Society (SHPO) and the National Park Service (NPS).
The Ford Center, a 265,000-sq-ft historic renovation project, brought a neglected building back to life. RJM Construction worked closely with the developer during pre-construction in evaluating options to maximize the use of historic tax credits, which funded nearly 40% of the total project cost. With this came an extensive evaluation of the building’s prominent window systems, dating back to 1912. The evaluations required careful documentation of the existing conditions, along with cost estimates and installation details.
Originally constructed in 1911, the Loose Wiles Building underwent renovation to preserve its history. The project required governing approvals by city, state, and federal agencies. Historic tax credits helped to fund the project partially. The renovation included elevator upgrades, restored wood floors and modern amenities. The team also built a new street entrance requiring substantial reinforcement on the lower level of the building.
Other North Loop building renovations completed by RJM include the Colwell Building and Colonial Warehouse.
New Meets Old
Beyond historic renovations, the North Loop has experienced growth via new construction creating unique challenges in site conditions, architectural integrity, and construction logistics.
In 2015, RJM built a new headquarters for Be the Match. The team provided six months of pre-construction services to help bring the seven-story, 276,000 sq. ft. project to life. Our approach included careful evaluation of structural foundations, multiple value enhancements, and detailed site logistics plans. Completed in just 15 months, the team coordinated work sequences with precision, utilizing lean planning and BIM modeling.
The Nordic is an example of superior craftsmanship, historical character, and modern trend fitting with the North Loop district. The 10-story mixed-use office building is scheduled for completion later this month. The project will retain the century-old brick character of the historic neighborhood while adding parking and modern amenities to the densely populated area. The parking garage stands within feet of the underground Bassett Creek waterway tunnel. The foundation system required extensive research and testing during excavation. The Nordic is also pursuing WELL Certification, a tool for advancing health and wellbeing in buildings.
RJM Construction’s experience in the North Loop proves invaluable in establishing accurate budgets, providing appropriate cost saving options and guiding the team in making educated decisions. RJM is familiar with the community who have welcomed the revitalization of their neighborhood.
