MINNEAPOLIS, MN — The University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF) announces that M.A. Mortenson Companies, Inc. (Mortenson) and HGA have been chosen as partners for the development of the first phase of an 11-acre hub of innovation and economic development in the Twin Cities, newly named The Minnesota Innovation Exchange or “The MIX.”

The MIX, located on the eastern edge of the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Minneapolis campus, is a private development with a vision to create spaces for those that want to be close to the innovation and research of the university, as well as a living and learning community. Bounded to the north by the Biomedical Discovery District and Huntington Bank Stadium and to the south by the university’s future clinical campus expansion, the MIX is well positioned to anchor Minnesota’s next innovation hub.

When complete, The MIX will feature approximately 3 million developed square feet with a variety of uses, including research and development, innovation, multifamily residential, hospitality, restaurant, entertainment, and similar destination spaces.

Mortenson was selected through a competitive process that included many highly qualified firms, both local and national. Through a design competition, national interdisciplinary firm HGA was selected by Mortenson as the design partner.

With a 70-year history in the Twin Cities, 35 projects for the University of Minnesota, and numerous projects within Minneapolis, HGA’s collaborative, interdisciplinary, holistic design process is a mirror for the intentions of this project, which aspires to provide a triple bottom line platform for innovation and revitalization that benefits the university, private industry, and the community.

Leading the project for the foundation is Pat Mascia, Managing Director for the University of Minnesota Real Estate Advisors (UMFREA), along with Bob Solfelt, Dan Lessor, and Brent Webb of Mortenson. Tim Carl, who led HGA as CEO for nine years, will be the Design Lead with Rob Zirkle as the Principal-in-Charge. Mortenson will also begin to curate the innovation tenants for the first building. Groundbreaking for the first building is anticipated in the next 18-24 months.

“This unique collaboration between Mortenson, UMFREA, and HGA brings a holistic approach designed to create enduring solutions that support the community, the users, and the environment, and create the measurable value that will drive The MIX’s success,” said Josh Stowers, Client Executive at HGA. “HGA is thrilled to have a hand in helping shape the future of public and private collaboration toward a brighter future for our home, community, and for the University of Minnesota.”