East Bank

The East Bank neighborhood, situated directly across the Mississippi River from downtown Minneapolis and adjacent to Nicollet Island, has long played a vital role in the city’s growth and development. Originally part of the larger St. Anthony settlement—Minneapolis’s sister city before the two merged in 1872—the East Bank area benefited greatly from its proximity to St. Anthony Falls. As early as the mid-19th century, this part of the city thrived with sawmills, flour mills, and related industries that harnessed the power of the river. The neighborhood’s location along the riverfront also made it an important transportation hub, with rail lines and river traffic converging near the mills and depots that once dominated the landscape.

By the early 20th century, as industry began to move away from the riverfront, the East Bank started to transform into a more mixed-use urban neighborhood. Warehouses were repurposed for light manufacturing, commercial activity expanded, and new housing developments began to shape the residential character of the area. With the construction of major river crossings like the Hennepin and Central Avenue bridges, the East Bank became an increasingly accessible and desirable place to live and do business. It was during this time that the neighborhood began to take on its present-day identity as both a commercial district—centered around East Hennepin Avenue—and a dense urban residential area.

In recent decades, the East Bank has undergone substantial revitalization, becoming one of the most vibrant and walkable neighborhoods in Minneapolis. Historic buildings have been renovated for use as restaurants, shops, offices, and apartments, while new development has added contemporary housing and retail spaces. The area has also embraced its cultural and historic roots, with landmarks such as Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church standing as enduring symbols of the neighborhood’s past. Today, the East Bank is a dynamic community that blends historic charm with modern energy, serving as a key gateway between downtown Minneapolis and the University of Minnesota.