NE Minneapolis

Northeast Minneapolis, Minnesota

Located along the East bank of the Mississippi, Northeast Minneapolis is a distinct community that includes a diverse mix of businesses, restaurants, parks, art galleries and studios, as well as industrial and residential property.

Known for its industrial and immigrant heritage, Northeast Minneapolis was first settled in the late 1800s as factories, warehouses and shops sprang up to support the booming lumber and flour industries.

As immigrants arrived from Poland, the Ukraine, Lebanon and Germany to work in these factories, they built their homes among the industrial properties. And as their communities became more established, they also built churches and schools to educate their children and preserve their heritage.

Northeast Minneapolis’ diverse past is still evident, even to the casual observer: Many of the churches still offer services in their founders’ native languages, for example. Another curious fact is that the streets were named after the U.S. presidents — in order of their election — to help residents prepare for citizenship exams.

Today, Northeast Minneapolis continues to draw immigrants of Arab, East Indian, Latin American and Asian heritage. But this unique neighborhood is now perhaps best known as home of the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District, where many of the old industrial buildings have been converted into artists’ studios, and where hundreds of artists live and work.