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Chronology of the
brewery, 1854 - 2004
Compiled by Susan Appel, Champaign, IL,
June 2004
Historic photos |
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Federation
announces
Schmidt Brewery
sale and development
The father and son team of Craig (right)
and Jeff (left) Cohen will develop the West
End's brewery 15 acre complex. |
The Federation has engaged into a partnership
with Jeff Cohen, a developer of a national
scale based in Washington D.C., and his son
Craig, a St. Paul resident for nine years.
Craig recently entered into his
father's profession locally while maintaining private
practice in dependency counseling.
The historic 15 acre site was initially
developed as Cave Brewery in 1855 by Bavarian
immigrant Chistopher Stahlmann.
It became "the centerpiece for
a thriving culture of German brewing families
who lived within sight of the brewery and its
castle-like facade. The main buildings along
Seventh Street were built between 1900 and
1905 with guidance and supervision by renowned
brewery architect Bernard Barthel. After
Prohibition ended, Schmidt Brewery became the
seventh largest in the country, and went on to
employ 400 workers and brew about 200 beers at
its pinnacle."
Preservation Alliance of Minnesota
10 Most Endangered 2005
http://www.mnpreservation.org/endangered2005/. (May 26, 2005)
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At the press
conference, Jeff stated that he liked to be in
a neighborhood undergoing change and welcomed
bringing the Federation into this
public-private (economic) partnership, now
known as Brew Town LLC (Limited
Liability Corporation). A goal would be
to develop a mixed-use (urban) village within
the site. Pedestrian-focused amenities
would include those that reach back to
historic West End times when small,
street-oriented shops catered to residents and
included grocers, cleaners, theaters, and the
like. Offices and residences will fuel
development.
The serendipitous
connection of project to developer occurred
through the Federation President, Dave
Wickiser and Craig Cohen. Craig has
lived in the Lex-Ham neighborhood for the past
nine years and began to follow in in his
father's footsteps as developer when he and
Dave decided to renovate one of the
storefronts on West 7th. One thing led
to another, and Craig's father was alerted to,
and captured by the possibilities of, the
brewery site.
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Development will include a sensitivity to
the historic nature of the site, as well as
its economic potential. What captures
the imagination of neighbors is the Cohens'
desire to restore the property's historic
street grid, preserve the "castle" exterior,
add green space and accommodate any access
to environmental amenities, as well as
embrace and preserve the neighborhood's
character. While many unknowns exist,
and the diligence required to finalize the
purchase agreement has not yet been
completed, neighbors and principals are
excited at the prospects. Adding to
this are unique
features of the property: the caves,
the artesian wells, as well as any historic
artifacts that will need
preservation/restoration.
Much work remains. As Nancy Homans,
Mayor Chris Coleman's Policy Director
stated at the conference:
"Where there is passion and
partnership, there is possibility and
promise.
October 31, 2007: Dominium Development and
Acquisition has signed an agreement with the Cohens to develop
100 artists' live-work spaces in the bottling house. Teh
project would be similar to the Carleton Artist Lofts on
University Avenue in St. Paul.
See also:
Jeff Cohen's projects
Water View at Bayside Development in
Portland, Maine
An envisioned development
Sanctuary Cove at Woods Cove, Maine.
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