A Historic Step for Affordable Housing

The Mary Hall redevelopment transformed a long-standing historic building into permanent affordable and supportive housing while preserving its architectural integrity and navigating layered public funding requirements. The project included a full interior rehabilitation of a six-story early 20th-century concrete and masonry structure, with selective demolition; complete replacement of MEP, fire protection, and life-safety systems; elevator replacement; accessibility upgrades; and restoration of historic features including terrazzo floors, plaster walls, stairways, and original corridor layouts.

Exterior work included masonry restoration, window replacement, roofing, and entry canopy repairs. With limited existing documentation, Watson-Forsberg led careful investigative demolition and real-time documentation of existing conditions, communicating findings quickly and transparently to the owner, architect, and preservation consultants to minimize risk and support informed decision-making. The project relied on a complex funding structure—including LIHTC, federal and state historic tax credits, and City of St. Paul funding—which Watson-Forsberg supported through early constructability input, phased cost modeling, and documentation aligned with application, closing, and compliance milestones. Close coordination with historic agencies ensured preservation requirements were met while maintaining schedule discipline.

• 19,000 SF
• $22.6M
• Completed in spring 2026