Mission Lofts | Joyce Church

Joyce Memorial Church in Uptown, Minneapolis is a historic California Mission Revival style Church built in 1907 by architects Harry Downs and Harold Eads. DJR was able to facilitate that the Church was placed on the register of protected landmarks by the local Historic Preservation Council in 2020. From here, DJR had the challenge of creating 35 micro and one-bedroom apartments within the current footprint, while maintaining the protected historic features, and bringing the building up to code.

The first step in the renovation was to patch, repair, and repaint the exterior with a new coat of bright “mission” white. All clear glass windows were upgraded, and the addition of an ADA ramp to the site helped to make the building accessible to all. The original boiler for the building was removed and MEP upgraded, and interior insulation was redone for an optimal tenant experience. A new foundation drain tile was installed to protect the below grade spaces. A waterproofing layer was then applied to the exterior of the building to help mitigate any future moisture permeation into the space. Lastly, all interior faces of the historic stone foundation were tuckpointed.

The units were strategically distributed between three floors, with the bell towers utilized as well for dwelling units. Each unit has a unique floor plan, with carefully distributed stained glass windows. Where windows didn’t align with units, additional glazing was added to the alley and rear walls of the building for additional daylighting while maintaining the historic façade’s character. Green cabinetry, fresh lighting, and modern appliances make these units functional and attractive for the modern resident. Pews from the church were reused as entry furniture in some apartments for an added historic presence.

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