Stretching across 370 acres from the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis east into Saint Paul, the Towerside Innovation District represents an exciting opportunity for innovation, collaboration, and urban redevelopment in the Twin Cities. With three Green Line light rail stations, convenient access to the metro area's interstate highway network, and close proximity to the University of Minnesota’s medical, academic, athletic, and biomedical research facilities, Towerside is uniquely positioned to bring people and ideas together.
As the Twin Cities’ only designated innovation district, Towerside is creating a new kind of urban community—one that connects entrepreneurs, residents, researchers, developers, and businesses in an environment centered on equity, sustainability, health, and the arts. Its approach to community building has attracted national attention, establishing Towerside as a model for creating vibrant, thriving urban neighborhoods.
Since its establishment in 2013, Towerside has made significant progress toward this vision. Through partnerships with higher education institutions, property owners, businesses, and nonprofit organizations, the district has become a leader in collaborative urban redevelopment. These partnerships have helped advance innovative, interconnected systems for energy, stormwater management, parking, and public spaces, demonstrating how coordinated planning can create more efficient and sustainable communities.
Today, Towerside is home to a diverse mix of businesses, destinations, and residential developments, including KSTP Hubbard Broadcasting, Surly Brewing, and several mixed-use apartment buildings that incorporate designated affordable housing. With more than 30 community partners—including the McKnight Foundation, Xcel Energy, and the University of Minnesota—the district continues to demonstrate the value of bringing diverse organizations together to shape the future of urban living.