Empirehouse partnered with PCL Construction from the earliest design phases of Mystic Lake Center—a 70,000-square-foot event space and 180-room hotel tower—providing design-assist services, pre-construction engineering, and cost studies to help shape the glazing scope.

Innovative on-site pre-glazing techniques were developed to maximize efficiency and reduce equipment needs, resulting in 3,500 square feet of glass installed in a single day on the nine-story hotel tower. The main façade features a 23,400-square-foot custom aluminum pressure-wall system engineered for high-span conditions and mounted on a carbon plate to achieve a suspended wall effect, with unique movement connections allowing +/- 5/8″ of flexibility at each attachment point.

Empirehouse also installed 10,000 square feet of Sage electrochromatic smart glass curtainwall on the event center, programmed to tint automatically with the sun’s movement for energy savings and comfort. Additional glazing systems included 8,900 square feet of applied veneer walls, a 3,400-square-foot top-hung structural glass fin-supported wall, and a 4,500-square-foot custom aluminum fin-supported system—all contributing to the building’s striking design and performance.

Scope:

• 23,400 SF aluminum pressure-wall system
• 25,000 SF ultra-thermal curtainwall with high-performance glass
• 10,000 SF Sage electrochromatic curtainwall
• 8,900 SF applied veneer glazing
• 7,000 SF storefront systems
• 3,400 SF top-hung structural glass fin wall
• 4,500 SF aluminum bar stock fin wall
• 25 entrances, 1,100 LF glass handrail, 128 LF glass balustrade
• Shower doors and mirrors for 180 rooms
• Decorative, back-painted, and laminated glass panels
• Borrowed lites and suite shelving

Empirehouse teamed with Mortenson Construction and Alliiance Architects as the architectural glass and metal contractor and a collaborative partner on the Target Center renovation project to transform a closed-off concrete façade into a modern and inviting light-filled space for fans to enjoy for decades to come. The Target Center renovation project is an excellent example of transforming a 27-year-old structure into a modern and relevant facility that re-connect it with the look and feel of the neighboring warehouse district. This also meant replacing blocked views of concrete with windows of transparency where Target Center patrons can look out to see surrounding city life, while those passing by can sneak peeks of Target Center sports and concert life within. This “seeing in and seeing out” was part of the fan experience that the design team had intended.

Preplanning and Design-assist partnership included early design review, value engineering, design collaboration, and cost control.

Scope:

• A three-story, light-filled glass atrium featuring a monumental span curtainwall application at the corner of First Avenue and Sixth Street which serves as the new main entrance
• Remodeled Executive Suites with 25 all-glass entrances and approximately 500 linear feet of all-glass drink railings
• A new skyway lined with bird-safe glass and railings
• Level 3 bullet-resistant security glass ticket box office with decorative glass fins
• Twelve heavy-tempered folding and sliding glass wall systems with swinging doors
• Approximately 4,500 total lineal feet of aluminum cover replacement on an existing exterior curtainwall system
• Approximately 2,000 linear feet of LED lightboxes in the exterior metal panel façade
• Curtainwall replacement along Sixth Street
• Approximately 6,000 square feet of interior glass partition
• Interior glass hand railings leading to an upper-level glass floor with iconic artwork
• Lexus Club decorative back-lit onyx glass wall
• Lynx and Timberwolves decorative shower doors with custom white laminated frosted finish
• Hydro spa heavy glass walls
• Overall exterior glass scope of approximately 14,000 total square feet

The former Macy’s building in downtown St. Paul has been transformed into Treasure Island Center—home to the Minnesota Wild’s rooftop practice facility, TRIA Rink. This dramatic redevelopment features four stories of glass curtainwall and a fifth-floor ice arena, all executed with creative problem-solving and high-performance systems. Empirehouse partnered with RJM Construction and Collaborative Design Group to deliver nearly 20,000 square feet of glass, including 6,500 square feet of SageGlass electrochromatic glazing that tints automatically to reduce glare and solar heat gain.

Empirehouse also provided design-assist expertise to overcome complex engineering challenges. To accommodate six inches of roof truss deflection above the rink, the team developed a flexible yet watertight Tremco silicone sheet detail protected with custom break metal. A reinforced operable glass window wall was also engineered with steel supports to meet structural and aesthetic goals—ensuring long-term performance and a clean architectural finish.

Scope:

• Installed three floors of Oldcastle Reliance 7-1/2″ deep fully captured curtainwall (approx. 13,500 SF of 1″ blue-tinted insulating glass with low-e coating)

• Glazed 6,500 SF of SageGlass electrochromatic smart glass

• Approx. 200 LF of custom post-mounted Trex guardrail system with 5/16″ clear tempered laminated glass

• Approx. 500 SF of Oldcastle FG3000T aluminum storefront framing with 1″ blue Pacifica tinted low-e glass (exterior) and 1/4″ clear tempered glass (interior)

• Aluminum swinging doors with 1″ blue Pacifica tinted insulated low-e glass

• Three fully automatic bi-parting sliding door assemblies with various insulated or tempered glass types

• Approx. 50 LF of plexiglass dividers with aluminum sill channels for observation booth

• Interior borrowed lites and fire-rated glazing systems