‘Editor’s Notebook’ with Diana Mosher: From Brewery to Apartments

Like other abandoned manufacturing facilities, the historic Schmidt Brewery in St. Paul, MN caught the attention of the multifamily sector as a candidate for redevelopment. The 1900 building—which has been described as resembling a castle on Germany’s Rhine River—was designed by

In 2002, after the property had changed hands several times, the last beer was bottled. The 15-acre site remained vacant since 2004. Apartment development and management company Dominium has had its eye on the property for years. Now, Dominium has the green light to transform the historic brewery into the Schmidt Artist Lofts, a $95 million rehab project that will provide affordable rental housing for artists.

Domium has invited the community to an open house celebration on Wednesday, October 26. St. Paul City Council Member Dave Thune, who was instrumental in helping the project obtain historic designation, will speak at the event, along with Mark Moorhouse of Dominium and Ed Johnson, the executive director of the West Seventh/Fort Road Federation. The first phase of the project (a rehab of the historic Rathskeller and front office building) is currently underway by St. Paul’s West Seventh/Fort Road Federation.

MHN Online Daily will be touching base with Dominium after their event for additional details. For more local news from the Minneapolis area, visit MHN City Pages.