Downtown East Apartments for Rent

The community of Downtown East in Minneapolis, Minnesota is rich with history. It is bounded on the north by the Mississippi River, on the south by 5th Street, on the west by Portland Avenue, and on the east by Interstate 35W. Bus and light rail service offers easy access to downtown Minneapolis and area attractions.

Downtown East features the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, home to the Minnesota Vikings football team and formerly to the Minnesota Twins baseball team. Beginning with the 2010 season, the Minnesota Twins moved to the newly built Target Field.

Downtown East contains the Mills District. From 1880 to 1930, Minneapolis was known as the flour milling capital of the world, and more informally as the “Mill City.” After World War I, the milling industry in Minneapolis declined. Today, many of these old mills and industrial properties still stand. Uniquely, many are being converted into housing, bringing a residential population to the community.

The Mill City Museum was built here on the Mississippi River on the ruins of the world’s largest flour mill, the Washburn A Mill, which closed in 1965 and was nearly destroyed by fire in 1991. Here, visitors can learn about the history of the flour industry and the city of Minneapolis.

Mill Ruins Park is an educational and historically significant park in Downtown East. The park contains ruins of several flour mills and industrial buildings in addition to those of the Minneapolis Eastern Railroad. Walkways through the park interpret the ruins for visitors and educate on the history of the area.

For theater enthusiasts, Guthrie Theater is located in Downtown East on South 2nd Street. This is a center for performance, production, education, and professional training. The theater, called a “21st century dream factory” by Time Magazine, boasts three stages, a full-service dining experience, multiple bars, and some of the most magnificent views in Minneapolis.