Schmidt Artist Lofts, Artist housing complex in West Seventh, St. Paul, US.
Schmidt Artist Lofts is a former brewery building in the West Seventh neighborhood of St. Paul, Minnesota, converted into residential lofts for working artists. The multi-story brick structure contains around 90 units with high ceilings, large windows, exposed brick walls, and shared common spaces.
The building opened as Cave Brewery in 1855 and grew into the largest brewing operation in Minnesota, built on a network of natural lagering caves beneath the site. After the brewery closed for good, the conversion into artist housing took shape in the early 2000s.
The building hosts artists from many disciplines who open their studios to the public during organized events held throughout the year. These visits let people watch work in progress and talk directly with the residents about their practice.
The building sits in the West Seventh neighborhood with good bus connections and several dining and entertainment spots nearby. Interior access is generally limited to public open studio events, so it helps to check ahead before visiting.
Beneath the building, a portion of the original 19th-century lagering caves dug into the natural sandstone still exists today. These caves were central to the brewery's operation because they kept a steady low temperature long before modern refrigeration existed.
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