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Minneapolis commission recommends local landmark designation for Lakeshore Arms Apartments at 3026 Lake Street West
Summary
The Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission voted June 16 to recommend that the City Council designate the Lakeshore Arms Apartments (3026 Lake Street West) as a local landmark, citing its Spanish Eclectic architecture and SHPO concurrence; the motion passed 8–0 with one abstention and one absence.
The Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission on June 16 recommended that the City Council designate the Lakeshore Arms Apartments at 3026 Lake Street West as a local landmark.
Rob Skalecki, senior city planner in the Department of Community Planning and Economic Development’s historic preservation team, presented the staff report and designation study, describing the two-story, 17-unit building—built in 1930–31 and historically known as Lakeshore Arms—as an example of Spanish Eclectic architecture with intact features such as a shaped main doorway, cast cement ornamentation, clay tile caps and multi-lite wood windows. Skalecki said Minnesota’s State Historic Preservation Office “concurred with the designation study” in a May 19, 2026 letter and recommended the property as a good candidate under Criterion 4 for distinctive architectural characteristics.
The public record includes multiple supportive comments submitted to staff; during the hearing Sarah Stevens, a neighborhood resident, testified that the building is “charming, lovely” and adds to the quality of life in the area. Staff also noted that the property owner provided written comments opposing the designation but was not present to speak at the hearing.
Commissioner Wallace told the commission he had no hesitation approving the designation, saying the designation study “really covered all the bases I was looking for.” Commissioner Boote moved that the commission recommend City Council approval; Commissioner Karato seconded the motion. In the roll call vote, Commissioners Alexander, Boote, Karato, Rodriguez, Smith, Wallace, Vice Chair Mastin and Chair Maria Bjornberg voted yes; Commissioner Thomas recorded an abstention/recusal and Commissioner Mellblom was absent. The motion passed; the commission forwarded the recommendation to City Council.
Under Chapter 599 of the Minneapolis Code of Ordinances, staff prepares a designation study and submits findings to the State Historic Preservation Office for review; CPED staff concluded the Lakeshore Arms retains sufficient integrity of location, setting, design, materials, workmanship, feeling and association to satisfy local designation criteria.
Andrea Burke, supervisor of CPED’s Historic Preservation Team, used the meeting’s closing announcements to share a volunteer signup for the upcoming NAPC forum and noted that the African‑American Historic and Cultural Context Study received an Award of Excellence from the American Association for State and Local History.
The Heritage Preservation Commission’s recommendation now goes to the Minneapolis City Council for consideration. The commission’s next regular meeting is scheduled for July 7.
