Room with a View September 15, 2006

In the historic Lowertown neighborhood of St. Paul, a beautiful brick warehouse building that had been vacant for nearly 25 years is now ready for occupancy with 71 affordable efficiency apartments. One obstacle that postponed reuse is the 5' high window sill configuration on the original facade. While suitable for its original warehouse function, dwelling units are more livable with windows that offer a view. Since the building is listed on the National Historic Register, lowering the sills and replacing the windows was both inappropriate and impossible.



Using an EPS foam product typically associated with site-work projects (such as Interstate 15 in Utah and Chicago's Millennium Park), floor space around the perimeter wall at each level was raised almost three feet by placing a solid-but-lightweight geofoam platform and pouring a new layer of concrete over the top.

Want some additional information?

CRA Project Page - Crane Apartments

What is geofoam?