2025 Rethos Historic Rehabilitation Award Winner | Landmark Tower Apartments (St. Paul) Conversion 

About Rethos and the Excellence in Historic Rehabilitation Award

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Working nationwide to champion the reuse and revitalization of historic buildings and sites, Rethos takes a holistic approach that unites design intent with building performance. Through the thoughtful adaptation of underutilized structures, Rethos helps project teams transform aging properties into efficient, resilient, and inspiring environments that meet contemporary standards. 


By honoring architectural integrity and enduring craftsmanship, Rethos empowers architects, engineers, builders, and owners to unlock the full potential of preservation—delivering high-performing buildings that respect history while advancing design excellence and long-term sustainability.

Rethos's Annual Gala, The Wrecking Ball, raised over $95,000 in support of Rethos’ mission and programs. Contributions from our gala directly fund initiatives such as Minnesota Main Streets, Doors Open Minneapolis, the Duluth Lighthouse, and advocacy efforts like the CUB Credit—each creating a lasting impact by preserving and reimagining the places we love.


If you would like to help Rethos continue this meaningful work, please consider offering your support.


Rethos Membership Link๏ปฟ

Presented by Rethos, the Excellence in Historic Rehabilitation Award honors projects that exemplify how revitalization and preservation can work in harmony to strengthen communities and foster sustainable growth.

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This year’s award celebrates the Landmark Tower Conversion — a transformative adaptive-reuse project that has redefined downtown Saint Paul. Once a vacant 1980s office building, the 25-story tower has been meticulously renewed into 187 upscale apartment homes, preserving its architectural heritage while bringing new life to the urban core.

Across the nation, Federal and State Historic Tax Credits (HTCs) continue to drive neighborhood revitalization—empowering developers, architects, and construction partners to protect historic character while fostering economic renewal and sustainable growth.


 The Landmark Tower project embodies this transformative spirit through design innovation, collaboration, and technical precision.

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Our Contribution

Working alongside our valued partners, we delivered a complete curtainwall upgrade featuring high-performance glass, gaskets, sealants, and operable windows. The revitalized façade integrates Kawneer 451T VersaGlaze® storefront and a 7½-inch thermally broken curtainwall system engineered to withstand a 35 psf wind load while providing exceptional thermal efficiency.

Together, these assemblies maximize daylighting and minimize energy transfer—surpassing Saint Paul’s energy-code requirements while preserving the tower’s distinctive modernist rhythm.

To enhance life safety and code compliance, we also supplied and installed Smoke Guard Model M200 smoke containment curtains across six elevator banks — strategically placed from parking levels through the upper floors (P2–20).

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These deployable barriers provide critical smoke control in the event of fire, allowing open lobbies and elevator vestibules to remain architecturally unobstructed while meeting stringent safety standards

We work to bring your design vision to life—aligning with your comprehensive approach to adaptive reuse by seamlessly integrating architectural intent, energy performance, and occupant safety through precision execution.


Contact us—our team is here to help you.


No-Cost Consultations

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W. L. Hall Company

The Premier Exterior and Interior Building Systems Provider in the Upper Midwest

75 Years' Experience | 15,000+ Projects

(952) 937-8400

wlhall.com

sales@wlhall.com

W. L. Hall Company Specialty Security, Fire & Smoke Door Systems

By Ira Hackner • April 17, 2026
When life safety, code compliance, and seamless integration are critical, experience matters. At W. L. Hall Company, we bring decades of expertise delivering advanced fire, smoke, and security door systems—helping architects, contractors, and building owners achieve both performance and design intent without compromise. What Sets Us Apart Deep Expertise in Life Safety Systems Our team understands the complexity behind fire and smoke containment. From early design through final installation, we help ensure every system meets stringent code requirements—including NFPA, IBC, and local jurisdiction standards—while maintaining functionality and aesthetics. Design-Assist Collaboration from Day One We engage early to help evaluate system selection, integration, and constructability: Aligning fire and smoke protection strategies with architectural layouts Coordinating with egress pathways and building systems Identifying potential conflicts before they impact the schedule or cost Proven Experience Across Complex Projects From healthcare facilities and high-rises to airports and large public venues, we’ve successfully delivered systems in environments where safety, reliability, and coordination are paramount. Advanced Specialty Security, Fire & Smoke Doors Systems We Deliver McKEON — Fire-Rated Door Systems Built for Performance

Minneapolis VA Medical Center Women's Clinic - Bringing Design Vision to Life—Under the Most Demanding Standards

By Ira Hackner • April 2, 2026
In close collaboration with Anderson Engineering of Minnesota (Plymouth) and Greenstone Construction (Fargo), our team is helping bring their project design vision to life at the new Women’s Clinic at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. As we near completion of this project, we are delivering a highly specialized glazing package engineered to meet the rigorous performance and security requirements of Department of Defense (DoD) design standards. This project required far more than a conventional façade solution—it demanded a carefully engineered system capable of balancing security, performance, and architectural intent within a blast-mitigated environment. The completed VA Women’s Clinic will provide a wide range of healthcare services specifically for women Veterans, including primary care, whole health, mental health, reproductive health, and specialized care for conditions related to military service. The new facility is thoughtfully designed to centralize all women’s healthcare services in a dedicated location, with its own exterior entrance to enhance accessibility, privacy, and the patient experience.

From Experience to Execution — MSP Terminal Projects

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MSP Airport Terminal 2 Expansion in Progress — See How We’re Delivering We are proud to be working on the Terminal 2 North Gate Expansion at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport—in close collaboration with Miller Dunwiddie Architects and Morcon Construction (Fridley) — to help bring their complex, high-visibility design to life.

Collaboration in Action: Bringing the HCMC Green Building Vision to Life

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Livefront's Hospitality Lounge | Where Transparency, Acoustics & Flexibility Align

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In collaboration with Studio BV Architects (Minneapolis) and Mission Construction (Minneapolis), we helped bring their design goals to life for Livefront’s Hospitality Lounge — realizing a vision centered on innovation, flexibility, and modern collaboration.

Beyond the Ceiling & Walls: Impactful Color-Changing Barrisol® Environments

By Ira Hackner • February 18, 2026
Luminous Barrisol® ceilings and walls use color-changing LED technology to shape atmosphere and support how a space is used throughout the day. Neutral tones suit everyday operations, while richer brand colors can highlight events, milestones, or special moments. Warmer hues create a welcoming feel for evening use or guest receptions, with digital controls allowing lighting to evolve as branding or needs change—without physical alterations. Extending the same approach into the vertical plane, Barrisol® luminous walls are built on a lightweight aluminum framework, with integrated lighting and translucent membranes. The result is a clean, softly glowing architectural surface that delivers uniform, glare-free illumination and visual calm. When ceilings and walls shift color in sync, the space gains depth and rhythm, subtly reinforcing brand presence and guiding movement through key areas without relying on signage.

Integrated Building Systems at the Ramsey Water Treatment Plant

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Raydoor Systems | Shaping Space Without Sacrificing Design Intent

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Raydoor Systems | Shaping Space Elegantly

Design Intent Delivered through Integrated Systems at Carlson School of Management

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More Space for More Care — Expansion at CentraCare Plaza in St. Cloud

By Ira Hackner • January 15, 2026
Here is a look at a current healthcare project we are actively working on, showcasing our expertise in complex glazing, interior systems, and construction coordination—the CentraCare Plaza Expansion in St. Cloud, Minnesota. We are collaborating closely with RSP Architects (Minneapolis) and McGough Construction (St. Paul) to help bring the CentraCare Plaza Expansion design to life. From the outset, their project teams carefully factored the complex functional and operational requirements of expanded outpatient and specialty care into the overall design, ensuring each building system supports both architectural intent and long-term performance.