Northrop Auditorium

Client: JE Dunn
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Services: Select Demolition, Deep Foundations, Excavation

Historic Northrop Auditorium was constructed in 1929 and serves as a popular theatrical and performing arts venue on the campus of the University of Minnesota.  Bolander provided selective and structural demolition, excavation, and deep foundations within this iconic facility.

The work included complete demolition of the interior structures back to the exterior walls and roof. During all the work, the historic and irreplaceable Memorial Hall was protected from vibration and damage.  The entire existing balcony structure was removed upon execution of a sequenced demolition plan to included temporary structural bracing.

Underpinning work at Northrop allowed 16 of the original pad footings be replaced with pile caps to allow heavier future loads.  Utilizing micropiles, Bolander literally lifted and held existing structural columns supporting the building while structural retrofit occurred.  Bolander performed this work on a design-build basis and created detailed work plans to facilitate engineering and field coordination.

Bolander demolition expertise at Northrop earned a spot as a finalist at the 2011 World Demolition Awards in Amsterdam.

Bolander underpinning work at Northrop was featured at the National Council of Structural Engineers Associations 2013 Annual Conference.