Located
in the historic Mills District of Minneapolis, the Milwaukee Road
Depot was a derelict turn of the century rail station surrounded
by surface parking lots. Damon Farber Associates led the
site design for what is now a successful adaptive reuse of the site.
The depot has been renovated into a conference center and ice skating
facility. Two hotels, a water park, a courtyard, entry plazas and
three levels of below ground parking have enhanced the site to become
a hub of activity in the city.
Damon
Farber Associates molded the rich past of the site with the
needs of the present using a palette of native plant materials and
hardscape elements that recall the railroads’ glory days in
a historically appropriate manner.
Oaks,
Maples and Locust trees frame views to and from the structures at
the perimeter while Maples, Aspen and Pincherries adorn the spaces
at the core. Cast iron fountains, large planters, decorative fencing
and ornamental lighting combine to recall the rich history of the
site.
