Building Spotlight Series: North Star Lofts

NORTH STAR LOFTS

“Northstar was in bad shape, like the Marquette block had been. But, by now, we knew something about adaptive reuse and we decided that we could apply the lessons we learned on East Hennepin at the Northstar.”

— Peggy Lucas, Brighton Development founding member

brief History

The North Star Woolen Mill, now the North Star Lofts, is a building that is located in the historic Mill District. The mill was built in 1864 by W. W. Eastman and Paris Gibson on the west side of the west side canal. High quality wool blankets, scarves, flannels and yarns were manufactured at the facility and it became the nation’s largest manufacturer of wool blankets by 1925.

In 1949 the North Star Woolen Company moved its operations to Lima, Ohio. In the 1950s North Star Woolen mills was used as a public warehouse, North Star Warehouse. North Star Warehouse existed from the 1950s to the late 1970s and had multiple locations, the Portland Ave location being the primary location. The building later sat empty until it was re-developed in 1998-99 into lofts. The building maintains its existing exterior including a sign reading "North Star Blankets".

north star woolen mill

Minneapolis Tribune, November 18, 1914 — Minneapolis Tribune, November 18th, 1914

Tucked in the garden basement level of North Star Woolen Mill, behind the men operating the dryers, women washed the blankets that had been finished on the floors above. In 1888, for 90 cents a day, women of all ages operated massive washing vats called “gigs”. The air in the room was hot and thick often times hovering around 98 degrees. The smell of wet wool and lye was ever present. Opening the windows was unheard of as this would cause dirt kick up, from the outside streets, to stick to the blankets.

The weaving floor, however, was always immaculate. Light would stream in from the large windows and gleamed off whitewashed walls that young female weavers were expected to clean during their lunch break. Weaving was skilled work that took endurance to perform and patience to learn. Weavers were paid by the piece and a talented weaver could make up to $1.35 per day. Factory foremen did a final count each day, rating each piece for quality and determine if it would be counted for payment.

Despite grueling working conditions, mill owners had no shortage of willing workers. In the last quarter of the nineteenth century, women were streaming into Minneapolis from from farms and oversees.

*Historical information taken from an 1888 St. Paul Globe exposé written by “Eva Gay”, Eva mcdonald velash

north star renovation

Brighton Development Corporation started the $12 million renovation, the first residential project in what would become the Mill District revitalization. The homes were altered from the original factory, including adding on balconies and decks, and creating some two-story condos.

Buyers started to sign up in 1998, with 36 initial buyers signing on and then another 50 in the next phase. These were the earliest residence of the Mill District, trailblazers who saw the potential of living by the river and the possibilities of what the old neighborhood could become.

In summer of 2015 the iconic neon North Star Blankets signs were taken down for some much needed rehabilitation. This project was overseen by The Homeowners Association and completed in the fall of 2015.

The Mill District

Nestled along the river, the Mill District is one of the most historic neighborhoods in Minneapolis. In the 19th century the Mill District supported the booming milling industry in its peak, including the then largest flour mill in the world. It is now a bustling neighborhood of mixed historic and contemporary homes, abundant parks, and locally owned businesses.

Close to restaurants, parks, event venues, freeways, and the river - this neighborhood is perfect for those who like to have everything Minneapolis has to offer at their fingertips.