Why we LOVE Minneapolis

Why We're Here: Minneapolis from Seven and Sixty Productions on Vimeo.

New Life as lofts for a Pre-War Factory

In her apartment and art studio in Germany, Karin Sander, a Berlin-based conceptual artist, decided to blend them instead. “Even a bedroom can double as a studio,” said Ms. Sander, 53. “I wanted each area to be able to be a work space as well as something else.”

Her new space was a long time coming. In 2000, Ms. Sander was part of a group of 15 artists and architects who chipped in to buy a complex of buildings, where the Prussian army had once manufactured its uniforms, in the Moabit neighborhood of this city. Ms. Sander’s share was two levels of a three-story building — one on the ground floor and the other on the third floor — with a combined space of about 5,800 square feet, which she bought for $626,935.

Initially, she lived and worked on the ground floor and left the top floor empty while she decided what to do with it. After about two years, she toyed with the idea of adding two stories above the top-floor space. She had plans drawn, but construction was postponed because of not only lack of money, but also lack of time: her career had taken off, and her work was being shown at galleries around the world, including the D’Amelio Terras gallery in Manhattan and the Museum of Modern Art.

By 2008, though, Ms. Sander was ready to expand. She hired Sauerbruch Hutton, an architecture firm with offices in the adjoining building, to design her space, as the architects were planning an upward expansion of their own. They created a design that added two stories to the interconnected buildings, bringing them back to their pre-World War II height (the top two floors of both buildings had been severely damaged during the war and subsequently removed).

Construction, which cost about $240 a square foot, began in September 2009. Eight months later, Ms. Sander moved into her new, nearly 4,300-square-foot studio on the top two floors, renting the third floor and turning her ground-floor apartment into offices.

The color palette of the new space is muted, with materials like sanded concrete, terrazzo and Douglas fir; the only bright color comes from the modern furniture by Konstantin Grcic in the living area. Off the dining area, a door swivels open to reveal a pair of identical spaces that are guest rooms, meditation rooms or offices — or all three, she said.

Upstairs, the master bedroom opens onto a terrace with an outdoor shower. In the bathroom are two more showers; Ms. Sander has six scattered throughout the apartment. “You never know where you might need one,” she said.

Two more are on the main level: one in her studio and one in a capsule bathroom she bought several years ago from the Olympic Village in Munich after that complex had been turned into apartments. (The remaining shower is in a guest bathroom.)

The studio itself is divided into two spaces with 18-foot ceilings. In the smaller one, a ladder leads up to a tiny windowed perch; in the larger, another ladder goes to a library loft.

The space feels more like a gallery than a studio, it was pointed out to Ms. Sander.

“My way of living and working changes constantly,” she said, noting that she has already used the studio to show her work and that of other artists. It has also been a performance space for an artist whose medium is yoga and a site for a conference on climate change. That’s why the spaces look the way they do, she said — they “have to adapt.”

By Kimberly Brady from the New York Times

A brief history of the North Loop

The North Loop Neighborhood, located in what is frequently referred to as the Warehouse District, played an important role in Minneapolis’ history. Recognized as a bustling commercial hub and industrial center, this part of the city served everyone from manufacturers and millers, farmers to furriers, through the 1800s. In addition, the "north loop" of rail lines — the railroad and city streetcars running through the neighborhood — brought vital transportation to businesses and consumers alike.

With the decline of the industrial boom, businesses favored trucks over trains, and the Neighborhood slipped into disrepair. Many buildings were abandoned and left to decay. The 1970s brought a new era of artists seeking large spaces and low rents. These artistic pioneers found what they were looking for in the North Loop, and are largely responsible for bringing life back into this significant neighborhood.

Today the North Loop Neighborhood is once again a vibrant community, offering unique housing options, award-winning arts, entertainment, fine dining, and specialty shops, many within the original warehouses of the North Loop's historic heyday. We invite you to explore all the activities this “new” old neighborhood has to offer.

Geographically, the WDNLA shall be defined as the area bounded by the Mississippi River on the Northeast, to Hennepin Avenue on the Southeast, to Washington Avenue briefly on the Southeast, to 3rd Avenue North on the Southeast, Glenwood Avenue on the South, to Lyndale Avenue on the West and Plymouth Avenue on the North ending back at the River.

730 Lofts is merely blocks away from Target Field

We are only 3 months away from another season in which the Twins will call Target Field home! While some Twins fans remember baseball games outdoors at Metropolitan Stadium, others have only rooted from the Twins inside at the Metrodome. In April 2010, for the first time since 1981, the Minnesota Twins opened a new chapter in their history as baseball is played outdoors again, this time at Target Field. The battle to build Target Field lasted over a decade, as the Twins struggled to receive funding for construction from the State of Minnesota. Talks of contraction of the team, relocation and passionate support from fans finally led state legislature to approve financing of a new ballpark in May 2006. Under the State of Minnesota's authorizing legislation, the county's share of financing the ballpark was $350 million. This covered construction and infrastructure costs. The Twins organization contributed $130 million. Nearly one year after state approval, the Twins officially unveiled plans for their new ballpark. On September 15, 2008, the Twins announced they had reached an agreement with the Target Corporation to name the ballpark Target Field. Financial terms were not released, but the partnership lasts for 25 years.

The Minnesota Twins played and won their field game at Target Field against the Boston Red Sox on April 12, 2010. Target Field is located in downtown Minneapolis, in the Warehouse District. The ballpark reflects Minnesota's dynamic blend of urban sophistication and outdoor vitality. The facade of the ballpark consists of Minnesota limestone and a canopy that covers much of the upper deck seating. Most Twins fans will enter the ballpark through Target Plaza, a park-like gathering area located outside the right field entrance gate. This landscaped area features a 1,500 pound bronze glove, player statues of Harmon Killebrew, Rod Carew, and Kirby Puckett; a wall tribute to Minnesota ballparks, and the Metropolitan Stadium flagpole. Once inside Target Field, it is apparent that it is one of the best ballparks in baseball. Target Field features just under 40,000 seats, 18,500 seats in the lower deck, with the main three tier grandstand extending from the right field foul pole to home plate and to the left field foul pole. Between the upper and lower decks are 4,000 club seats, 60 luxury suites and the pressbox. A double decked grandstand is located in left field with additional seating in right field. Located in the northwest corner of the ballpark is the Budweiser Roof Deck that features a fire pit, bar, 150 bleacher seats and standing room for 150 fans. It provides fans with views of the Minneapolis skyline and Target Field.

One of the most unique features at Target Field is the home run celebration feature. Located in centerfield, this large feature is the Twins original "Shaking Hands" logo from 1961-1981. Twins characters, Minnie and Paul light up when a Twins player hits a homerun.