Minneapolis is known for its skyline. It’s the silver city, the minne-apple. Minnesota’s outsized number of major corporations have built, demolished and rebuilt the city five times over. Historic preservation has long been overlooked.

Even though Minneapolis’ Heritage Preservation Commission was formed in 1972, many “lesser” buildings have since seen the wrecking ball. Block upon block of downtown Minneapolis lies empty, full of cars by day and empty by the night. The North Loop and St. Anthony Falls feature the only large swaths of old Minneapolis.

The Essay (Note: Click on photo for info)

The North Loop Warehouse historic district is at the epicenter of historic Minneapolis, yet a large part of the district is only on the National Register of Historic Places. The city is now in the process of adding the area that stretches from a half-block east of Washington to as far west as north 5th street and from 2nd avenue in the south to 10th avenue in the north. This will add additional barriers to unnecessary demolition.

This important move will preserve an important piece of our city’s history. But this must not be the end. We must continue to preserve important buildings, no matter how old or new. This photo essay explores the North Loop and other downtown building now under protection thanks in large part to the Heritage Preservation Commission.

Tags: Minneapolis