W. L. Hall Company 30 Year Flashback

HGA's Enduring Design of the Minnesota History Center Embraces State's History

W. L. Hall Company 30 Year Flashback HGA's Enduring Design of the Minnesota History Center

Located near downtown Saint Paul, Minnesota, the Minnesota History Center is the headquarters of the Minnesota Historical Society, functioning as a museum and library. Widely regarded as one of the most impressive public buildings in the state, the center's exterior surface comprises copper, terra cotta, and Minnesota stone, which still exudes a timeless elegance and contemporary charm since its opening in 1992.


Visitors to the History Center can explore the fascinating stories, people, and places that shaped Minnesota through a diverse range of exhibits, educational programs, live performances, and interactive experiences. The museum features a captivating collection of permanent and changing exhibits, while the center hosts many concerts, lectures, family events, and other special occasions. The center's vaulted atrium is particularly noteworthy, drawing accolades for its stunning beauty decades after its construction.

W. L. Hall Company 30 Year Flashback HGA's Enduring Design of the Minnesota History Center 2

In 1985, the state of Minnesota staged a national competition for the design of a new building to house the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul.

The Minnesota History Center committee's design goals:

"We have envisioned a place that draws the public in, fires the imagination, and responds to its hunger for an understanding of the past."

The list was narrowed to five participating teams, including HGA — the only company from Minnesota to make the list. As a result of W. L. Hall Company's performance history, accomplishments, and collaboration with HGA on numerous successful projects together, HGA reached out to the W. L. Hall Company to team up with and assist with the design.

W. L. Hall Company 30 Year Flashback HGA's Enduring Design of the Minnesota History Center

The building is situated on a 10-acre site in St. Paul. It is surrounded by prominent landmarks such as the St. Paul Cathedral and the Minnesota State Capitol, making it highly visible from surrounding highways.
Designing the 420,000-square-foot center posed a significant challenge: it had to stand out while blending seamlessly with its surroundings.


๏ปฟHowever, W. L. Hall Company and HGA share a successful approach to projects involving careful research, active listening, and innovative solutions, which ultimately paid off on this project. After reviewing several proposals, the state of Minnesota selected HGA's design, and the firm was subsequently awarded the commission.

Minnesota Historical Society:


 "The Minnesota History Center is a stunning architectural landmark that pays tribute to our rich state history"

Contact us to let us know how we can help turn your custom design into reality on your next project."

w l hall company hga history center

Zero-Post Corners Bring Flexibility and Impact to Hornig's New Headquarters Conference Room

By Ira Hackner • September 2, 2025
When Hornig Companies set out to build their new headquarters in St. Louis Park, Tanek Architects (Minneapolis) and Gardner Builders (Minneapolis) designed a conference room that could do it all—flexibility, acoustics, and aesthetics.

McKEON AirShield™ Model AL3014 – Smart Air & Climate Control

By Ira Hackner • August 21, 2025
Think of the McKEON AirShield™ AL3014 as more than just a door—it’s a precision-engineered barrier designed to keep comfort in and unwanted air out. This high-performance overhead coiling system is built for environments where air matters most: from busy industrial facilities to sensitive institutional spaces. ๆ‰‡๐ŸŒฌ๏ธ Superior Air Control – Keeps interior climates stable by minimizing air infiltration and exfiltration ๐Ÿ’ก Energy Efficiency – Helps cut heating and cooling costs while meeting today’s strict energy standards ๐Ÿ›  Durability You Can Trust – Engineered to perform reliably in the toughest conditions The result? Protected interiors, better comfort, and a door system that works as hard as you do.

Raising the Bar: How Glass, Light, and Design Shape Mystic Lake's New Hop House

By Ira Hackner • August 4, 2025
A New Kind of Gathering Place. Step inside Hop House, grand opening August 7, 2025, at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, and you'll find more than just a sports bar. It's a two-level destination where craft beer, comfort food, and live entertainment meet bold design & luminous detail. The project was brought to life through our collaboration with Shea Design (Minneapolis) and Adolfson & Peterson Construction (Minneapolis), and key specialty partners, blending vision, craftsmanship, and execution into a seamless hospitality experience.

Breaking the Ice: Tackling Winter Construction Challenges for the Bloomingtonโ€ฏPortโ€ฏAuthority/SICK,โ€ฏInc. Parking Ramp

By Ira Hackner • July 25, 2025
Our role in the construction of the Bloomington Parking Ramp involved supplying and installing the EFCO 5600E curtainwall system on the stair towers. ๏ปฟ Construction during the winter months often brings unique challenges to a project. That's why close collaboration with our valued partners—Clow Berg Architects (Minneapolis) and Ancoats Construction Management (Minneapolis)—was essential to identifying potential issues early and navigating them successfully as a team.

Longevity of Kalwall Translucent Panel Skylights: Proven Performance, Designed for Decades

By Ira Hackner • July 18, 2025
Longevity of Kalwall Translucent Panel Skylights: Proven Performance, Designed for Decades

Lower Risk, Higher Standards: W. L. Hall Company's 2025 MOD Rate Shines

By Ira Hackner • July 3, 2025
Safety may not always be the flashiest topic, but in construction, it’s one of the most critical. At W. L. Hall Company, we’re excited to announce that our 2025 MOD rate is at an impressive 0.65—thanks to the unwavering focus of our Safety Team and the exceptional care and professionalism of our Ironworkers, Carpenters, and Glaziers. It’s a standout accomplishment that reflects our industry-leading commitment to jobsite safety.

Maximizing design and function at UnitedHealth Group’s Optum campus.

By Ira Hackner • June 30, 2025
Operable walls have transformed from functional dividers into aesthetic enhancers of the built environment. On this recent project, we helped the architect balance the need for space flexibility with the desire for the look of a more "permanent" solution. Glass panels with false muntins offer the best of both worlds— the look of a fixed demountable system with the flexibility of operable wall systems.

Illuminating Southdale Center’s $400M Luxury Wing with W&W Glass Systems

By Ira Hackner • June 23, 2025
As part of Southdale Center’s $400 million luxury renovation, Simon Property Group (Indianapolis) reached out to us to help bring their bold architectural vision to life. We collaborated with W&W Glass Systems (New York) to deliver and install a stunning array of structural glass solutions that elevate the experience in the new luxury wing.

Essentia Health St. Mary’s Medical Center's (Duluth) new high-performance façade system at the Level 6 - Inpatient Entrance.

By Ira Hackner • June 6, 2025
Essentia Health St. Mary’s Medical Center's (Duluth) new high-performance façade system at the Level 6 - Inpatient Entrance.

A Brighter Future for West Minnehaha Recreation Center

By Ira Hackner • June 6, 2025
A Brighter Future for West Minnehaha Recreation Center