Click here to view an interactive metrics link for the median sale price of homes in North Loop: http://northstarmls.stats.10kresearch.com/infoserv/s-v1/Pm0h-EKv
Near the Mississippi River, the North Loop in Minneapolis is a condo-dense area with dive bars, upscale cocktail rooms, fantastic coffee, high-end shops, and nationally renowned restaurants. The neighborhood, located just northwest of the central business district between downtown Minneapolis and the Mississippi River, is particularly popular with people who work in downtown Minneapolis. Its close proximity allows residents to walk, bike, or take a short bus or METRO ride to work.
Also known as the Warehouse District from the city’s shipping hub years, the North Loop includes the Minneapolis Warehouse Historic District that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Streets in the North Loop are oriented to be parallel to the river, which means that they run at a 45-degree angle relative to the grid of the rest of the city. Although the extent of the neighborhood technically extends further to the south, the main residential and commercial area of the North Loop is roughly a rectangle bounded by Hennepin Avenue (in the southeast), Plymouth Avenue (in the northwest), the elevated 4th street freeway entrance/exit in the southwest, and the Mississippi River in the northeast. Washington Avenue is the main thoroughfare through the neighborhood.
AN INDUSTRIAL PAST
While some industrial tenants remain (particularly in the area southwest of 4th Street), many of the old factories and warehouses have been converted to commercial space or loft condominiums and apartments. The area still retains some feel of its industrial past, and many newer buildings have attempted to replicate the style of the old warehouses. For most of its history, the North Loop was an industrial area, and home to a large railroad yard and numerous warehouses and factories.
The predominant form of design is the Chicago Commercial style, but many other styles were built, including Italianate, Queen Anne style, Richardsonian Romanesque, Classical Revival, and early 20th century commercial styles. The warehouse district was in turn associated with the railroad transportation network that was under development at the time, which connected Minneapolis with the rest of the Midwest and the rest of the country. These warehouses were used for wholesale and storage of goods related to milling and manufacturing. The nomination for the National Register of Historic Places states that the district, as a whole, comprises a cohesive district of buildings with a common physical appearance, as well as a common age and original use.
The Warehouse District fell into disrepair in the 1960s and 70s, but reemerged in the 1980s as the epicenter of the Minneapolis art scene. In recent years, revitalization of the North Loop has accelerated, with the neighborhood becoming “the” Twin Cities neighborhood in which to live, work, eat, shop and play. The North Loop tripled from 1,500 residents in 2000 to 4,300 in 2010, and continues to increase rapidly.
ACCOLADES
The neighborhood has a long list of accolades from local and national publications, including “Best Neighborhood” (Mpls/St. Paul Magazine and CityPages), 12th Hippest Neighborhood (Forbes), “Favorite Neighborhood” (Fast Company), “Coolist Neighborhood in American” (Thrillist), and “Go List 2016” (Fodor’s).
FARMERS MARKET
The oldest and most well-known farmers market in the Twin Cities is located in the North Loop. Since 1937 the Minneapolis Farmers Market at 312 E. Lyndale Ave has provided city residents with fresh, local food. The vibrant market attracts people from across the Twin Cities.
RECREATE ALONG THE RIVER
The James I. Rice Park, which is in the northeast portion of the neighborhood along the river, is popular with residents during the summer months. The bike trail and West River Parkway that runs through the park are part of the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway. In the middle of a bustling urban setting, the 72-mile Mississippi National River and Recreation area offers quiet stretches for fishing, boating and canoeing, birdwatching, bicycling, and hiking. And there are plenty of visitor centers and trails that highlight the fascinating human history of the Mississippi River. In 2010-2011, the Minneapolis Parks Foundation helped raise funds for the North 4th Avenue Playground – a unique playground that showcases this former sawmill location, including a re-imagined sawmill and tree nursery playstructure plus plenty of Log Tunnels and Log Steppers to complete the scene. Custom signage details the area’s logging history. Kids of all ages are also encouraged to scout for native animal tracks throughout this nature-themed playground.
TARGET FIELD
The neighborhood includes Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins. Target Field Station also serves as a central, multi-modal transportation hub, serving the METRO Blue and Green lines and Northstar Commuter Rail. Nearly 500 trains pass through Target Field Station each day. The station includes a 286-car underground parking garage and connects to several bus lines, bike trails, and the NiceRide bike share system. Plus, the adjacent 104,000-square-foot public plaza and 1,000-seat amphitheater is a community gathering spot and host to year-round special events. Plans call for the construction of condominiums and apartments for several thousand new residents near the stadium.
North Loop Market Update: https://matrix.northstarmls.com/DAE.asp?ID=0-2257833317-10