North Star Lofts

The North Star Wooden Mill Building is in the area known as the West Side Milling District, located on the downtown side of Mississippi River between Fifth and Chicago avenues.

Once known as the North Star Blanket Factory, the seven-story building along the city's Mississippi Mile sat unused for nearly 50 years and had deteriorated to the brink of demolition when Brighton Development recognized the site's potential for redevelopment. Prior to construction start, their sales force began touring prospective buyers through the neglected site. Despite the condition of the building, visitors fell in love with the high ceilings, brickwork and oversize windows looking out on city life, park trails and the Stone Arch Bridge. The 36 units sold before construction was completed in early 1999.

Today North Star Lofts successfully combines historic character with contemporary comforts, including a variety of custom unit interiors from rustic to modern. Exposed brickwork and ductwork remain in abundance, echoing the building's industrial origins. While woodwork is plentiful, some residents have chosen to retain concrete floors, which have been buffed and polished to a high gloss and draped in oriental carpets. Following the tremendous response to North Star Lofts, Brighton Development, KA and Paul Madson + Associates, Ltd., the architect for the project, are at work on a second phase adjacent to the site.