November Friday History: From a 20's Economic Engine to 430 Oak Grove Apartments

By Matt Goff, KA Archivist

A case can be made that this elegant Beaux Arts structure on the southern edge of Loring Park is the most significant building in Kraus-Anderson’s history.

In 1924, when Northwestern National Life Insurance needed a new headquarters, the company chose J.L. Robinson to build it. Robinson, in turn, trusted Mathew Kraus to supervise the work.

In 1930, when Kraus and his partner Amos Andersen purchased Robinson’s construction business, they decided to change the name to Kraus-Anderson, but this partnership only lasted until 1937 when Lloyd Engelsma purchased the company.

Since KA returned to the Northwestern Life building in the 1930s and again in the 1960s for renovations, and since Kraus-Anderson purchased and redeveloped it in 2010, the Northwestern National Life building, now known as 430 Oak Grove apartments, has been there through all of the major changes in KA’s history.

Aside from its place in KA’s history, 430 Oak Grove is a landmark in the commercial and architectural history of Minneapolis. Northwestern National was one of the largest life insurance companies in the world, and it was an important economic engine for Minneapolis.

Northwestern’s board chose Hewitt & Brown to design its new landmark, only stipulating that it cost $700,000 or less to build. The architects turned the awkward lot into an advantage by placing the front door at the tip of the triangle, giving 430 Oak Grove its grand, photogenic entrance.

In the 1960s Northwestern National Life built a new landmark headquarters building at the north end of Nicollet Mall. The subsequent years spent in multi-tenancy doesn’t seem to have harmed 430 Oak Grove. Aside from being well-preserved, the building gained cultural vigor by hosting the office and studio of record producer Owen Hussney.

In 2010 Kraus-Anderson purchased 430 Oak Grove and converted it into an apartment building. This was the same year Minnesota began offering tax credits for historic building rehabs. Aside from making the conversion possible, historic tax credits ensured that this building remained much as it was when built.