Project Overview
BKBM provided structural engineering services for the redevelopment of a historically significant hotel and adjacent construction of a 26-story, mixed-use building in downtown Minneapolis. The project transformed the existing Ivy Tower and site into a vibrant hub of residential, hospitality, and commercial activity, with integrated underground parking and urban skyway connectivity.
Project Highlights
- Mixed-Use Tower & Historic Integration:
- New 26-story concrete frame tower wraps two sides of a landmark 10-story Ivy Tower, creating a cohesive, high-rise complex.
- The tower features condominiums, hotel, commercial spaces, and five levels of below-grade parking.
- A skyway extends across 2nd Avenue South, improving urban connectivity and access.
- Historic Building Renovation:
- The existing 10-story Ivy Tower was renovated for restaurant, office, and hotel suites.
- New structural openings in historic concrete walls provided direct connections between the tower and new construction.
- Underground Parking and Foundations:
- Excavation for five below-grade parking levels required extensive soil stabilization beneath the foundation of the historic structure.
- Primary foundation is a five-foot thick mat foundation, constructed just above the water table; a sixth below-grade level was omitted due to groundwater conditions.
- An eastern portion of the below-grade structure extends only two levels and is supported by drilled caisson foundations.
- Structural and Façade Systems:
- Mild reinforced concrete slabs used for below-grade parking; post-tensioned slabs utilized from Level 1 and higher for structural efficiency.
- Building lateral resistance provided by concrete elevator and stair cores.
- Architectural precast panel façade system is column-supported, delivering a modern aesthetic and structural clarity.
Engineering Solutions
BKBM developed innovative structural solutions to integrate new construction with a historic building, address groundwater and soil challenges, and support modern amenities, parking, and skyway access. Careful planning enabled sensitive renovations, major additions, and robust foundations in a dense urban environment.
Results & Impact
The Ivy Hotel & Condominiums project delivers a dynamic blend of residential, hospitality, and commercial spaces, while preserving and revitalizing a Minneapolis landmark. BKBM’s structural engineering ensured long-term stability, seamless integration, and a signature presence on the city skyline.
1967
15,000+
23
Minneapolis & Denver