Minneapolis’s Most Trusted Commercial Restoration Company
From the iconic Foshay Tower to the MSP Airport parking structures, we’ve restored the landmarks that define Minneapolis. When your building needs expert concrete repair, masonry restoration, or waterproofing—trust the team that’s proven itself on the city’s most demanding projects.
Why Twin Cities Property Managers Choose RSI
- Founded in 1997 — Over 27 years of commercial restoration expertise with principals averaging 25+ years of hands-on experience each
- Minneapolis Metro Headquarters — Based in Chaska, MN (4355 Peavey Road) with rapid response capability across the entire Twin Cities region
- Full-Service Restoration — Concrete repair, masonry restoration, waterproofing, parking deck rehabilitation, and building facade restoration under one roof
- Landmark Project Portfolio — Proven on Minneapolis icons including the W Hotel at Foshay Tower, MSP Airport parking structures, and Wells Fargo Center
- Industry-Leading Safety — EMR consistently below national average, LECET MN & ND Award of Excellence recipient with comprehensive safety protocols
- Ready to Help — Call us at (952) 368-0463 for a free consultation on your commercial restoration project
Why Minneapolis Buildings Need Local Restoration Experts
If you manage or own a commercial building in the Twin Cities, you already know what Minnesota winters can do. But here’s what makes our climate uniquely destructive to concrete, masonry, and building envelopes—and why generic contractors from warmer regions simply don’t understand what they’re up against.
The Freeze-Thaw Cycle: 80-100+ Times Per Year
Every time water infiltrates a crack in your concrete or mortar, freezes overnight, and thaws the next day, it expands by about 9%. In Minneapolis, this happens 80 to 100+ times annually—far more than most U.S. cities. Each cycle widens existing cracks, creates new fractures, and progressively weakens structural elements. A hairline crack in October becomes a major repair by April.
This relentless freeze-thaw action is why parking deck surfaces deteriorate faster here, why facade mortar joints fail sooner, and why waterproofing is not optional—it’s essential. Contractors who’ve primarily worked in milder climates often underestimate the urgency and scope of protective measures required in our market.
Temperature Extremes: A 130-Degree Swing
Minneapolis experiences temperature swings from -30°F in January to over 100°F in July. This 130-degree range creates thermal expansion and contraction stress on every building component. Expansion joints must be properly designed and maintained. Sealants must remain flexible across this entire temperature spectrum. Coatings must withstand UV exposure in summer and ice formation in winter.
Materials and installation methods that work perfectly in Phoenix or Atlanta often fail catastrophically here. We’ve seen countless “repairs” by out-of-state contractors that required complete replacement within just a few years because they used products unsuitable for our thermal extremes.
Road Salt: 400,000+ Tons Annually
The Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area uses over 400,000 tons of road salt each winter. That salt doesn’t just stay on the roads—it gets tracked into parking structures, splashed onto building facades, and carried by wind and meltwater into every crevice of your property. Salt accelerates rebar corrosion in concrete, damages masonry, and shortens the life of nearly every building material it contacts.
For parking deck restoration in particular, salt damage is often the primary driver of deterioration. The exposed rebar, spalling concrete, and structural concerns we regularly encounter in Twin Cities parking structures are directly attributable to decades of salt exposure combined with inadequate protection systems.
“We’ve been restoring Minneapolis buildings for over 27 years. The patterns of deterioration here are distinct from anywhere else in the country. Understanding these local conditions isn’t just helpful—it’s essential to developing repair strategies that actually last.”
Why Local Expertise Matters
At Restoration Systems Inc., our principals average 25+ years of experience—and nearly all of that experience is right here in the Upper Midwest. We understand which coating systems perform best in our climate. We know which concrete repair methods resist freeze-thaw damage. We’ve learned which waterproofing approaches prevent moisture infiltration through Minnesota’s harshest winters.
When you work with RSI, you’re not educating your contractor about local conditions. You’re partnering with a team that’s already solved the specific problems your building faces—on structures across the Twin Cities metro, including some of Minneapolis’s most iconic landmarks.
Proven Track Record in the Twin Cities
Serving the Twin Cities Metro Area
RSI Minneapolis Headquarters
Chaska, MN 55318
Service Areas
From our Chaska headquarters, RSI provides commercial restoration services throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan area and greater Minnesota region. Our service area includes:
- Minneapolis
- St. Paul
- Bloomington
- Brooklyn Park
- Plymouth
- Maple Grove
- Woodbury
- Eagan
- Eden Prairie
- Minnetonka
- Burnsville
- Edina
- St. Louis Park
- Chaska
- Shakopee
- Greater Minnesota
Commercial Restoration Services in Minneapolis
From high-rise facades to underground parking structures, RSI provides comprehensive restoration solutions tailored to the unique demands of Minnesota’s climate.
Building Facade Restoration
Preserve your building’s appearance and structural integrity with expert masonry and facade repair services designed for Minnesota’s harsh conditions.
- Brick repair and replacement
- Stone repair and replacement
- Tuckpointing and mortar repair
- Historic preservation services
Parking Deck Restoration
Extend the life of your parking structures with comprehensive repair solutions that address salt damage, freeze-thaw deterioration, and structural concerns.
- Parking deck restoration
- Post-tension cable repair and replacement
- Concrete repair and rehabilitation
- Expansion joint systems
Waterproofing & Sealants
Protect your investment with waterproofing systems and sealant applications engineered to withstand Minnesota’s 130-degree temperature swings.
- Waterproofing systems
- Caulking and sealant replacement
- Hot applied waterproofing
- Traffic coatings and vehicular systems
W Hotel at Foshay Tower
Before
After
Restoring Minneapolis’s First Skyscraper
The Foshay Tower isn’t just another building on the Minneapolis skyline—it’s the structure that defined it. Completed in 1929 as the first skyscraper west of the Mississippi, this 32-story Art Deco landmark has stood as a symbol of Minneapolis for nearly a century. Today it houses the W Hotel, a destination that draws visitors from around the world.
When the Foshay Tower’s parking deck began showing serious signs of deterioration, the stakes couldn’t have been higher. Decades of Minnesota freeze-thaw cycles had taken their toll. Concrete was spalling, exposing rebar to the elements. Drainage systems were failing. Waterproofing had broken down. The structure needed comprehensive restoration—and it needed to happen while the hotel continued operating at full capacity.
The Challenge: Restore a historic landmark’s parking structure without disrupting daily hotel and restaurant operations or compromising the guest experience.
RSI’s team developed a phased restoration approach that addressed every layer of deterioration. We performed extensive concrete repair work, replaced failed drainage components, applied new waterproofing systems designed for our climate, and installed protective coatings that will extend the structure’s life for decades to come. Throughout the project, we coordinated closely with hotel and restaurant management to ensure guests never experienced more than minor inconvenience.
The result? A parking structure that looks and performs like new—protecting one of Minneapolis’s most treasured landmarks for the next generation. When you see the transformation from crumbling concrete to pristine deck surface, you understand why property managers trust RSI with their most critical restoration projects.
MSP Airport Parking Structures
Yes, We Actually Fixed the Minneapolis Airport
When people ask what sets RSI apart from other restoration companies, we sometimes answer with a question: “Have you parked at MSP lately?” If so, you’ve experienced our work firsthand. The Metropolitan Airports Commission selected RSI for a major parking ramp restoration project—and we delivered results that exceeded every expectation.
Airport parking structures face unique challenges. They experience continuous traffic from thousands of vehicles daily. They’re exposed to heavy salt loads from cars arriving in winter conditions. They must remain operational during repairs because you can’t exactly close an airport parking structure for months. The scope of our MSP project was substantial: comprehensive concrete repair, expansion joint replacement, sealant replacement, corrosion inhibitive sealer application, plus coordination with electrical and mechanical systems throughout the structure.
The results speak for themselves. RSI completed the project ahead of schedule and under budget. Our innovative expansion joint solutions performed so well that the Metropolitan Airports Commission adopted them as the standard for future repairs across their facilities. And when they needed additional work on their valet building, they called us back.
Project Scope & Results
- Comprehensive concrete repair across multiple deck levels
- Complete expansion joint replacement system
- Sealant replacement throughout the structure
- Corrosion inhibitive sealer application for long-term protection
- Electrical and mechanical system coordination
- Completed ahead of schedule
- Delivered under budget
- RSI expansion joint solutions adopted for future MAC repairs
- Additional valet building contract awarded
This project demonstrates what’s possible when you combine deep local expertise with commitment to excellence. The Metropolitan Airports Commission manages critical infrastructure that serves millions of travelers annually. They chose RSI because they needed a partner they could trust with one of the region’s most visible and heavily-used facilities. That trust was earned—and it continues today.
Wells Fargo Center Facade Restoration
57 Stories of Precision Craftsmanship
Standing at 774 feet, the Wells Fargo Center is the second-tallest building in Minneapolis. Its gleaming facade defines the downtown skyline. So when the building’s ownership identified the need for comprehensive window gasket replacement across the entire structure, they needed a partner with the expertise—and the nerve—to work at extreme heights while maintaining absolute precision.
This wasn’t a project that could be rushed. RSI developed a multi-year phased approach that would systematically address every window on the tower’s exterior. The work required specialized rigging systems and floating scaffolds that allowed our team to access each section of the facade safely. Every day, our craftsmen rode those scaffolds hundreds of feet above the Minneapolis streets, executing detailed gasket installations that will protect the building envelope for decades.
The technical complexity was matched by the safety requirements. Working on a project of this scale, with team members suspended hundreds of feet in the air, demands uncompromising commitment to safety protocols. RSI’s industry-leading safety record—including our below-average EMR and LECET Award of Excellence—isn’t just a statistic. It’s the foundation that allows us to take on projects other contractors can’t.
When you see the Wells Fargo Center against the Minneapolis skyline, you’re looking at a building protected by RSI’s craftsmanship. That’s the kind of legacy we build with every project—work that lasts, on structures that matter.
The RSI Difference
When you partner with Restoration Systems Inc., you’re choosing more than a contractor. You’re choosing a team built on values that show up in every project we complete.
Safety First, Safety Always
Our commitment to safety isn’t a slogan—it’s measurable. RSI maintains an Experience Modification Rate (EMR) consistently well below the national average. We’re repeat recipients of the LECET MN & ND Award of Excellence. Our comprehensive training programs, policies, and procedures are regularly reviewed and updated. Whether our team is working at ground level or suspended 57 stories above downtown Minneapolis, every worker goes home safely every day.
Integrity Is Everything
We scope projects honestly. We communicate transparently about challenges and timelines. We don’t oversell or underdeliver. When we encountered unforeseen conditions at MSP Airport, we found solutions that kept the project under budget rather than using them as excuses for change orders. Our clients trust us with their most critical assets because we’ve earned that trust through decades of doing what we say we’ll do.
Craftsmanship Lasts
Expert work creates sustainable, durable results. When we restore a parking deck, we’re not just patching problems—we’re implementing systems designed to protect that structure through decades of Minnesota winters. Our principals average 25+ years of experience, and that knowledge informs every material selection, every installation method, every quality checkpoint. The Foshay Tower has stood for nearly a century. Our restoration work is built to match that legacy.
We Build Our Future Together
Relationships matter to us. Within RSI, our team regularly gathers for training, collaboration, and connection—because we know stronger teams produce better results. With our clients, partners, and vendors, we’re equally committed to building long-lasting relationships rooted in mutual trust and respect. Many of our client relationships span decades. When the Metropolitan Airports Commission needed additional work after our parking structure project, they didn’t shop around. They called us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Minneapolis experiences 80-100+ freeze-thaw cycles annually—among the highest in the nation. Each cycle causes water trapped in concrete and masonry to expand by approximately 9% when it freezes, creating internal pressure that progressively cracks and weakens building materials. Over time, this leads to spalling concrete, deteriorating mortar joints, and compromised waterproofing. For parking structures, the damage is often accelerated by road salt that vehicles track in during winter months. Without proper protection and timely repairs, freeze-thaw damage can escalate from cosmetic issues to structural concerns requiring significantly more extensive—and expensive—restoration.
From our headquarters in Chaska (just 25 miles from downtown Minneapolis), RSI serves the entire Twin Cities metropolitan area including Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Woodbury, Eagan, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Burnsville, Edina, and surrounding communities. We also take on projects throughout greater Minnesota and the Upper Midwest region. Our strategic Chaska location provides efficient access to commercial properties across the metro while keeping our team connected to our central operations hub for equipment, materials, and support.
Parking deck restoration timelines vary significantly based on the structure’s size, extent of deterioration, and operational requirements. A smaller commercial parking structure with localized damage might be completed in 4-8 weeks, while a large municipal parking ramp with extensive concrete repair needs could span several months. During your initial consultation, we’ll assess the scope of work and develop a detailed timeline. We’re experienced at phasing work to minimize disruption—as we demonstrated at the MSP Airport, where we completed a major project ahead of schedule while keeping the facility operational throughout.
Our concrete repair process is designed specifically for Minnesota’s demanding climate. We begin with a comprehensive assessment to identify all deterioration, including areas that may not be visible from the surface. Damaged concrete is removed down to sound material, and any corroded reinforcing steel is cleaned or replaced as needed. We then apply appropriate bonding agents and install repair materials formulated to withstand freeze-thaw cycles and thermal expansion. For parking structures, we typically follow repairs with corrosion-inhibiting sealers and traffic coatings that protect against future salt damage. Every step is documented and quality-checked to ensure long-lasting results.
Absolutely. Historic preservation is one of our specialties. The Foshay Tower—Minneapolis’s first skyscraper and a 1929 Art Deco landmark—is just one example of the historic structures we’ve successfully restored. Historic buildings require a particularly thoughtful approach: we must match existing materials and aesthetics while implementing modern protection systems, all while respecting the building’s architectural significance. Our team understands the regulatory requirements that often apply to historic structures and works closely with building owners, architects, and preservation consultants to ensure our restoration work honors the building’s heritage while extending its functional life for future generations.
EMR stands for Experience Modification Rate, an insurance industry metric that compares a company’s actual workers’ compensation claims to the expected claims for companies of similar size in the same industry. An EMR of 1.0 represents the industry average. RSI maintains an EMR consistently well below 1.0, indicating our actual safety performance significantly outperforms industry expectations. For property managers and building owners, our low EMR matters because it demonstrates our commitment to safety isn’t just talk—it’s verified by objective, third-party data. A strong safety record also reduces project risk and helps ensure your restoration work proceeds without incident.
Several visual signs indicate your masonry needs tuckpointing attention. Look for mortar joints that appear cracked, crumbling, or recessed more than 1/4 inch from the brick face. White staining (efflorescence) on brick surfaces often indicates moisture infiltration through failing joints. Loose or displaced bricks suggest the mortar is no longer providing adequate structural support. In Minneapolis, these problems typically appear first on north-facing walls and areas with heavy water exposure. If you notice any of these signs, we recommend scheduling an assessment before the next freeze-thaw season—addressing deterioration early is always more cost-effective than waiting until damage spreads.
Yes. We provide complimentary initial consultations for commercial property owners and managers throughout the Twin Cities metro area. During this consultation, one of our experienced team members will visit your property, assess the condition of your concrete, masonry, or waterproofing systems, discuss your concerns and goals, and provide preliminary recommendations. Following the site visit, we’ll prepare a detailed proposal outlining the scope of work, timeline, and investment required. There’s no obligation—our goal is to give you the information you need to make an informed decision about your building’s maintenance and restoration needs. Call (952) 368-0463 to schedule your consultation.
Ready to Protect Your Minneapolis Property?
Whether you’re seeing early signs of concrete deterioration, planning proactive maintenance, or facing an urgent restoration need—our team is ready to help. Schedule a free consultation and get expert guidance from the company Minneapolis trusts with its landmarks.