| Hennepin Center for the Arts | |
|---|---|
 The Hennepin Center for the Arts from the south | |
| General information | |
| Location | 528 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota |
Masonic Temple | |
    | |
| Coordinates | 44°58′45″N 93°16′25″W / 44.97917°N 93.27361°W |
| Area | Less than one acre |
| Built | 1888 |
| Architect | Long and Kees |
| Architectural style | Richardsonian Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 75000987[1] |
| Added to NRHP | September 5, 1975 |
The Hennepin Center for the Arts (HCA) is an art center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. It occupies a building on Hennepin Avenue constructed in 1888 as a Masonic Temple. The building was designed by Long and Kees in the Richardsonian Romanesque architectural style.[2] In 1978, it was purchased and underwent a renovation to become the HCA.[3] Currently it is owned by Artspace Projects, Inc, and is home to more than 17 performing and visual art companies who reside on the building's eight floors.[4] The eighth floor contains the Illusion Theater, which hosts many shows put on by companies in the building.
HCA is now a part of the Cowles Center for Dance and the Performing Arts (formerly the Minnesota Shubert Performing Arts and Education Center). The new performing arts center is a three-building complex that includes the renovated Shubert Theatre building (renamed the Goodale Theater) and a new glass-walled atrium connecting the two historic buildings and serving them both as a common lobby. The Cowles Center hosted a three-day Grand Opening Gala September 9–11, 2011.
The building, known as the Masonic Temple was recognized as a historic place and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. Its inclusion was based on its local architectural significance.[5] The nomination highlighted the craftsmanship and integrity of the design, which was carried out by a notable local architectural firm. Additionally, the building was noted for being one of the few remaining well-preserved examples of Richardsonian Romanesque business buildings in Minneapolis.[6]
