Schmidt Artist Lofts

Schmidt Artist Lofts is a former brewery building in St. Paul that has been converted to artist housing, offering 90 units with high ceilings, large windows, and exposed brick walls. The spaces are arranged to provide generous studio areas and common rooms designed for artistic collaboration.

The building opened as Cave Brewery in 1855 and grew into Minnesota's largest brewing operation, with extensive lagering caves beneath the site. The conversion into artist housing began in the early 2000s after the brewery had closed its operations.

The residents use the space as a gathering point for artistic collaboration, with regular exhibitions and open studio events that bring together St. Paul's creative community. The shared facilities encourage cross-disciplinary exchange and create opportunities for the public to encounter contemporary art practices.

The complex has good public transportation connections and sits within walking distance of various downtown St. Paul amenities and venues. Visitors should note that access to some areas depends on scheduled open studio events, so planning ahead is advisable.

The original brewery fermentation tanks were incorporated into the renovated design and now serve as functional and decorative features within the artist residences. These industrial remnants connect the building's brewing past to its current artistic purpose in a tangible way.