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Convenient

Bounded by Lyndale Avenue on the west and 35W on the east, the neighborhood is bisected by Nicollet Avenue, a bustling commercial corridor, into Loring Heights filled with many single family and town homes and commanding views of downtown. Within walking distance to downtown and a 10 minute bike-ride to uptown, Stevens Square is at the center of it all.

Stevens Square—Loring Heights is home to HourCar and Nice Ride bicycle rental, supported by neighborhood residents and visitors preferring low-impact transportation. Bus routes frequent the neighborhood on 3rd, Nicollet, Lyndale and Franklin Avenues. For those unable to avoid the traditional commute, the neighborhood is conveniently located at the intersection of Interstate 94 and 35W, two of the metro’s primary arteries.  Better yet, almost everything you need is within a 20-minute walk.

Pet-friendly 

Stevens Square-Loring Heights is home to more pets per capita than any other part of the city! This is largely due to the many pet-friendly apartment units in the area. Pet owners are also drawn to the centrally-located Stevens Square Park as a place to exercise their furry friends and met other animal lovers. 

Engaged

Once a prized address for the wealthiest in the city, the Van Dusen and Semple mansions both play host to community events and activities today. Nicollet Avenue bridges Eat Street with Nicollet Mall along a burgeoning commercial corridor, anchored by long-standing Plymouth Congregational Church. 

Stevens Square is home to the longest running neighborhood association in the city, Stevens Square Community Organization or SSCO, a community elected Board of Directors which provides fiscal management, liaison to City Government, local development guidance, community block patrol, and community engagement through events and activities.

Green

Neighborhood residents have long embraced environmental stewardship by cultivating the Emily Peake and LaSalle community gardens as well as the 94 overlook garden. Residents enjoy a weekly farmers market throughout the growing months. 

Artistic

Situated between the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and the Walker Art Center and home to many working artists, Stevens Square places a high value on the arts. Home-grown artistic events include the Stevens Square Center for the Arts, Red Hot Art festival, and Cinema and Civics in the park.

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Stevens Square Historic District

The Stevens Square Historic District was locally designated in 1988 and nationally designated in 1993, thanks to the hard work and cooperation of neighborhood residents and property owners.  The area has been designated because of the unique and cohesive historic architecture of 3-1/2 story brownstones surrounding Stevens Square Park. For more information about the formation of the district, click here.

History of the Stevens Square-Loring Heights Neighborhood

The area south of what is the Minneapolis Central Business District was platted in 1856. Two property owners, Richard J. Mendenhall and Dr. Nathan B.Hill, owned most of the surrounding land which they developed as a residential neighborhood made up of a few large, single family homes. These large residential lots and "country estates" ensured that the Stevens Square area remained stable during periodic, speculative real-estate booms.

Building Safety Improvement Program

The Stevens Square-Loring Heights NRP Building Safety Improvement Program aims to support property owners and tenants in their efforts to increase the safety of the neighborhood through improvements to their buildings and environs. This program was formerly known as the Lighting and Fencing Program, but has been expanded to include other safety-related improvements, as described in the guidelines. It is funded in full by the Minneapolis Neighborhood Revitalization Program in conjunction with the priorities of the members of the Stevens Square-Loring Heights neighborhood, and is implemented with the support of the 5th Precinct SAFE Unit.

I you are interested in applying for a safety grant, please contact SSCO’s Safety Coordinator at (612) 874-2840.

Community Resource List

Just moved into the neighborhood, or looking for some assistance? Here are a few links that may be helpful:

Community safety resources

Neighborhood Revitalization Program

Stevens Square-Loring Heights Architectural Style

In 1989, Stevens Square received its historical designation due primarily to the number of three-and-a-half story brick apartment buildings: similar in size, character and materials, surrounding the park.  Today, many are renter occupied similar to the profile of the people who first lived in the neighborhood.  Therefore, the neighborhood character is demographically as well as physically very much the same as it was when it first took shape as a neighborhood of respectable apartment dwellings in the early 1900's.

Commercial Corridors

The commercial center of the neighborhood is located on Nicollet Avenue, where several restaurants, social service agencies and schools, and retail merchants operate.  Minor commercial hubs include Franklin Avenue and the Clinton Avenue strip mall.

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