Minneapolis is a fun city with access to nature, outdoor activities, and a combination of history and modern amenities. The majority of its neighborhoods are family-friendly and secure, making it an ideal place to start a family. Besides its livability and affordability, Minneapolis has delicious food and is a great location to start a restaurant business. Below are 13 of the best restaurant architects in the area. These were selected based on their experience, awards, and portfolio.
ESG Architecture and Design
500 Washington Ave. S., Ste. 1080, Minneapolis, MN 55415
ESG Architecture and Design is a leading architecture and design firm in the nation. It was established 27 years ago and has focused on hospitality, residential, restaurant, science and technology, and workplace projects across Minneapolis and surrounding areas. The firm aims to create unique solutions that shape communities and elevate end-user experiences. Since 1995, it has developed award-winning structures and was recognized by the American Institute of Architects, Minnesota, for its tremendous impact on urban design.
Maria Ambrose and Aaron Roseth lead the firm. The former is a multi-talented architect and project manager dedicated to collaboration and has an unparalleled attention to detail. She smoothly guides the firm’s projects, from master planning through design and construction administration. Meanwhile, Aaron joined the company in 2004 and became president in 2017. He helped the company grow to over 150 employees.
LSE Architects
100 Portland Ave. S, Ste. 100, Minneapolis, MN 55401
LSE Architects is an architecture, interior design, and planning firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It opened its doors in 2011 and has built commercial, community, education, hospitality, housing, and restaurant projects across the Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area. The firm is dedicated to delivering clients the highest level of service through its in-depth knowledge of its clients’ diverse markets. It embraces collaboration in every project and encourages customers to be fully engaged in all phases of the project’s life cycle.
LSE Architects operates under the leadership of Mohammed Lawal, Quin Scott, and Quin Scott. They co-founded the firm 11 years ago and have a combined experience of 90 years. The principals’ extensive experience in multiple markets enables the firm to understand the core of its client’s business and produce successful projects. In 2019, LSE Architects received the School of Excellence Award from the Minnesota School Boards Association.
RSP Architects
1220 Marshall St. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
RSP Architects is an experienced architecture firm committed to producing results that support its clients’ aspirations and goals. It was formed in 1978 and has developed diverse projects across its offices in Florida, Maryland, Minnesota, Texas, Arizona, and India, such as retail, entertainment, mixed-use, renovations, health care, life science, and restaurants. For over four decades in the business, the firm has worked with national and international clients, creating holistic environments for people to live, work, and thrive.
RSP Architects operates under the leadership of Jon Buggy, Todd Novak, and Larry Beame. All principals are well-respected architects and are members of the American Institute of Architects. They have decades of combined construction experience and share the same dedication to building well-designed and valuable solutions for clients.
DJR
333 Washington Ave. N., Ste. 210, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Established in 1985, DJR has embraced the collaborative process to create innovative solutions and produce successful client projects. It provides architecture and interior design services, from pre-construction development to planning, design, and construction phases. For 37 years, the firm has developed numerous projects, ranging from multifamily, hospitality, restaurant, retail, and office across the Twin Cities. DJR is a member of the U.S Green Building Council and has several LEED accredited professionals among its staff.
Dean Davolis is the founder and leads the company up to this day. He oversees a group of talented and dedicated design professionals and creates strategies for the firm to achieve in the long run. DJR has amassed multiple accolades, such as the 2020 Blend Awards and multiple Finance & Commerce Top Projects: once in 2016, once in 2020, and twice in 2021.
Wilkus Architects
15 Ninth Ave., North Hopkins, MN 55343
Wilkus Architects is an architecture firm operating in Hopkins, Minneapolis, Minnetonka, Woodbury, and St. Paul. Since 1990, it has successfully developed projects across 49 states in the U.S, Canada, Mexico, and the Middle East. It offers a wide range of architectural and interior design services spanning many scales and complexities. For 32 years, the firm has established a portfolio of retail, commercial, restaurant, and hospitality design projects. Wilkus Architects continuously grows and thrives by forming and expanding relationships with clients and industry professionals.
Michael J. Wilkus is an exceptional leader and architect. He directs Wilkus Architects and has over 40 years of experience. He is a certified interior designer, a member of the U.S Green Building Council, and a licensed architect in all 50 states. The firm was featured in numerous publications, such as Growler Magazine, The Business Journals, and Daily Coffee News.
U+B Architecture & Design
2609 Aldrich Ave. S., Ste. 100. Minneapolis, MN 55408
U+B Architecture & Design is a collaborative architecture practice with 18 years of experience providing clients with a fresh solution-oriented approach to architecture and design. It is committed to listening to its clients’ visions and desires to produce superior design solutions and maximum value. U+B Architecture & Design specializes in residential and commercial projects, having worked with restaurant businesses like Spoonriver Restaurant, Cookie Cart, and Bubbly Paws. The firm’s studio is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and extends its services to Minneapolis, Cyprus, Costa Rica, and Morocco.
The firm runs under the direction of Mark Burgess and Paul Udris. Both are members of the American Institute of Architects and bring decades of technical and design expertise. U+B Architecture & Design has received numerous awards since 2003, including the 2018 BLEND Award and the 2018 AIA Minneapolis Merit Award.
RoehrSchmitt Architecture
1229 Tyler St., N.E., Crown Center, Suite 275 Minneapolis, MN 55413
RoehrSchmitt Architecture is an architecture firm formed on the belief that excellent design solutions require taking a fundamentally optimistic view of the world. Thus, it is committed to working without conflict between doing what’s best for clients, the community, and itself. It provides commercial and residential services to customers across Minnesota and the Twin Cities Metro area. For 16 years, the firm has performed with its founding principle as the heart of what it does. This has helped it thrive and assemble a dynamic team of passionate architects and designers.
Michael Roehr and Chris Schmitt manage the company’s overall operations. Michael serves as the firm’s design lead and excels by fostering constructive dialogue among all project stakeholders. Chris is a producer and builder with 35 years of experience constructing impressive buildings.
PlanForce
4931 W. 35th St., Ste. 200, St. Louis Park, MN 55416
Headquartered in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, PlanForce is a commercial architecture and interiors firm serving the Twin Cities since 2013. It uses a proven design process to solve clients’ complex real estate problems, ensuring concrete results on time and within the clients’ budgets. Since its inception, the firm has constructed office, industrial, retail, restaurants, hospitality, mixed-use, and multifamily housing projects.
PlanForce operates under the supervision of Ryan Schroeder and Weld Ransom. Ryan is a member of the American Institute of Architects, a LEED accredited professional and serves as the firm’s president. He holds a degree in architecture from North Dakota State University. Meanwhile, Weld is the founder of PlanForce and has been devoted to architecture and design for 35 years. Under their supervision, the firm has collected multiple recognitions, including the 2018 STARR Shopping Center Tribute Award for Retail Real Estate Award for Retail Design.
HCM Architects
4201 Cedar Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN 55407
HCM Architects is a Minneapolis-based firm that has helped clients achieve their creative goals for eight years. It specializes in a wide range of projects, including bioscience, civic, corporate, historic, hospitality, master planning, mission-critical, parks and recreation, public works, and technical manufacturing across Minneapolis, Fridley, Plymouth, and Maple Grove. One of the essential aspects of its construction process is understanding the goals and needs of its clients. By listening to their concerns, the firm can create effective ways to solve the problem in tandem with all stakeholders.
HCM Architects provides highly personalized and hands-on service. Its principals, Tim McIlwain and Matt Lysne, are actively involved and committed to each project. Tim has practiced architecture since 1989 and has been involved in developing retail, restaurant, recreational and corporate facilities. Matt has practiced architecture for 27 years and has worked in many facets of the profession, from programming and design to construction administration.
Christian Dean Architecture
2909 Bryant Ave S #304, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Christian Dean Architecture is a full-service creative practice specializing in commercial and residential projects across Minneapolis, Cottage Grove, and surrounding areas. The firm was founded nine years ago and has sought to deliver the distinctiveness of each project it handles. It believes that compelling designs make people’s experiences of a particular place more interesting. Thus, it seeks creativity and uniqueness when working on each project. Since 2013, Christian Dean Architecture has worked with prominent businesses, such as MCBA Shop, Milkweed Editions, Kaiseki Furukawa, and Minnwest Bank.
Christian Dean owns and leads the company. He is a proud member of the American Institute of Architects and directs a group of skilled and talented design associates. The firm has amassed multiple awards, including the 2021 MSP Magazine Home Rave Awards.
TWP Architects
4125 Lakeland Ave. N., Ste. 200, Minneapolis, MN 55422
TWP Architects has over five decades of experience providing sustainable, inspiring, and functional architecture to Minneapolis and beyond. Founded in 1967, its primary focus has been on senior care, multifamily, commercial, and hospitality architecture. Its commitment to producing high-quality design solutions that are thoughtfully planned enabled the unwavering support of its clients. The firm transforms clients’ visions into realities through a highly personalized approach.
TWP Architects runs under the direction of Amy Schwabe, Alan Plutowski, and Michael Trossen. Amy is a licensed architect in Minnesota and California and is a certified interior designer in Minnesota. Meanwhile, Alan is an architecture veteran, striving to deliver the best possible outcomes by providing creative and cost-effective solutions. Finally, Michael is dedicated to health care architecture, senior housing design, and campus master planning and has been the project architect for senior living-related facilities for the past 30 years.
Studio M Architects
530 N. 3rd Street, Suite 230, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Studio M Architects is Minneapolis-based architecture and design firm dedicated to delivering unique and functional spaces that represent end-users and the environment they inhabit. It was established in 2012 and has provided restaurants, retail centers, multifamily housing, and historical renovations to Minneapolis and beyond. The firm works with customers as partners and advocates for their projects, from design conception to completion.
The firm comprises a blend of creative designers and innovative architects passionate about bringing clients’ projects to life. They are led by Adam Meyer, a licensed architect, a member of the American Institute of Architects, and recognized by the U.S Green Building Council as a LEED Accredited Professional. He is licensed to perform work in over 30 states with extensive experience as a designer and lead architect in residential, commercial, and hospitality design throughout the country.
