VJAA

National AIA Firm Award Recipient

excelsior commons

Location:

Excelsior, Minnesota

The Commons project is the heart of the larger redevelopment of a 13-acre municipal park, including a historic 1930’s Works Progress Administration project located in the center of Excelsior overlooking Lake Minnetonka. The project is designed to better serve the evolving needs of the community, improve the existing infrastructure, and accommodate a variety of social activities to better support the local culture while attracting visitors. Constructed in two phases, the Commons project replaced existing heavy concrete structures that obstructed views of the lake and the unique site topographies characteristic to the site. The new Bandshell and Concessions structures open up views of the land and water while creating a central area for concerts and shaded exterior spaces for informal gathering, community activities, and additional baseball field seating. Large and small groups gather on the lawn, activating the commons and connecting the larger community.