Julie Snow Architects
Minneapolis
When Target purchased two neglected commercial buildings on a prime site as a long-term real-estate investment, the company decided to adapt them during the interim. Across the street from its headquarters in downtown Minneapolis, Target Plaza Commons is a new space for employees to store their bikes, take yoga classes, play basketball—and perhaps do some work.
“It’s different from anything they have at Target corporate. It’s more raw,” says Matthew Kreilich, principal at Minneapolis-based Julie Snow Architects, which oversaw the renovation of the 57,000-square-foot complex. Target hopes the rugged look—and the unsubtle references to California’s start-up-friendly, no-frills offices in old warehouses—will bolster recruitment of young and creative employees, who might be looking for a reprieve from the buttoned-up vibe down the street. “The idea was to make it as noncorporate as possible. But that may be the new corporate, who knows?” says Julie Snow, the firm’s founder.
Located at a major intersection, the larger of the two buildings—a two-story concrete structure built in 1920—has a double-height reception area and lounge on the first level, and a video lounge and game area on the wood-lined mezzanine above. Apart from the new mezzanine, the insertions were minimal: the architects stripped away decades of plaster and carpeting to reveal the building’s original concrete walls and terrazzo floors. A glass hangar door, cut into the existing exterior back wall, opens out to a green lawn, full-size basketball court, and fire pit. Dating to 1914, the smaller building next door, with a back entrance, has bike storage, exercise space, and locker rooms. “They like to keep the spandex and suits separate,” says John Montgomery, senior project architect with Minneapolis-based Ryan A+E, the architect of record.
By all measures, the space has been a roaring success. The exercise spaces are booked solid, and the bike racks are full. “People feel like it’s a fun gift from the company to the team members,” says Rich Varda, a senior vice president at Target. And while it was conceived as a temporary space, Varda says the company has no plans for demolition and expects to use the complex for at least a decade.
Architect: Julie Snow Architects — Julie Snow, Matthew Kreilich, Carl Gauley, Pauv Thouk, Mike Heller, Don Wu, Cameron Bence, Tyson McElvain
Architect of record: Ryan A+E — Mike Ryan, John Montgomery, Jenna Hanner, Tony Solberg, Josh Ekstrand, Dan Elenbaas, Brian Heimerl, Kevin Pfeiffer
Completion Date: October 2012
Size: 57,000 square feet
Total construction cost: withheld
PeopleFormal name of building: Location: Completion Date: Gross square footage: Total construction cost: Owner: Architect: Ryan A+E, Inc. Personnel in architect's firm who should receive special credit: ARCHITECT OF RECORD: Architect of Record: Design Architect: Interior designer: Landscape Architect: Engineer(s): Structural Engineer: Ericksen Roed & Associates Consultant(s): Acoustician: Kehl Associates Lighting: Hunt Electric (design-build) General contractor: Photographer(s): Rendering(s)/Plans: CAD system, project management, or other software used: |
ProductsStructural system Manufacturer of any structural components unique to this project: Tyfo Fiberglass Reinforced Polymer (Fyfe Company LLC) Windows Glazing Doors Metal doors: Steelcraft (Hollow Metal Doors); Cornell (Overhead Coiling Doors) Wood doors: Marshfield Sliding doors: Not Applicable Fire-control doors, security grilles: Not Applicable Upswinging doors, other: Schweiss Doors: (Overhead Bi-fold Door (18’-6”H x 21’-0”W) Hardware Closers: LCN Exit devices: Von Duprin Pulls: FSB 6669 99: 1200mm : Patinated and Oil Rubbed Bronze Interior finishes Lockers: Lenox Lockers by Bradley Toilet Partitions: Accurate Solid surfacing: Concrete & Cambria Floor and wall tile: Restroom wall tile: RBC Tile Field tile: U-081 White Ice Mfg. by United States Ceramic Tile Company Accent: U-739 Red Pepper Mfg. by the same. Carpet: MFR ' Tandus Type - Broadloom Pattern - Breakout 40035 Color - Black Metallic & Custom Red Special interior finishes unique to this project: Hickory Flooring Raw Steel Plating on Walls (3/16” thickness) Furnishings Reception furniture: (Custom ) Willie Willett Woodworks Fixed seating: (Custom) Artifex Millwork Inc. & Woodshop of Avon Chairs: Tollix, Eames, J. Wegner, Moooi, Leather Craft, Loll Designs Tables: Artifex Millwork Inc. Lighting Downlights: Conveyance Plumbing Other unique products that contribute to sustainability: Reused salvaged brick to rebuild interior walls. Additional building components or special equipment that made a significant contribution to this project: |
