Pillsbury A Mill

Pillsbury A Mill is a large factory made of limestone and timber that stands on the east bank of the Mississippi River. The structure was completed in 1881 and used powerful waterwheels and turbines driven by the river's current to grind massive quantities of grain.

The mill was built in 1881 and held the title of world's largest grain mill for roughly 40 years. Later, one of the original waterwheels was replaced with a more powerful turbine to increase production capacity.

This location marks where Minneapolis built its wealth through grain milling and employed thousands of workers in its industrial heyday. The conversion into artist apartments shows how cities today breathe new life into old factory buildings and give them a second purpose.

The building today houses apartments and is partially accessible to visitors, with the best views of the structure from outside along the riverbank. Pathways along the water offer good vantage points to see the mill and understand how it used the river's flow.

Today a modern hydroelectric system beneath the building combines turbines with other renewable sources to power the residents' apartments with clean energy. This green transformation shows how historic industrial buildings can operate sustainably in the modern era.

Location: Minneapolis

Architects: Leroy Buffington

GPS coordinates: 44.98394,-93.25266

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:44