White Crane Design:Build
A bright, client-focused showroom built for collaboration and creativity
1936 Lyndale Ave S #150, Minneapolis, MN 55403, USA
White Crane Design:Build is an award-winning residential remodeling firm specializing in older homes throughout Minneapolis and Saint Paul. From thoughtful renovations to whole-home additions and second-story expansions, they combine quality craftsmanship with creative design solutions to help homeowners reimagine the spaces they love.
Hillcrest spoke with Kurtis Scholz, General Manager of White Crane, to learn more about this Watkins Building business.
Why did you choose The Watkins Building?
We had simply outgrown our previous location after several years of rapid growth and were looking for a space that better reflected who we are as a company. Many of the available spaces felt too commercial or didn't fit our brand. Watkins immediately stood out because, much like our work, it celebrates older buildings by thoughtfully restoring and adapting them for modern use.
The building gave us the flexibility to create a custom office and showroom where clients can experience our work firsthand. We designed the space to include a welcoming kitchen and entertaining area, updated finishes, and meeting spaces that showcase the level of craftsmanship and attention to detail our clients can expect from White Crane.
What do you enjoy most about being part of The Watkins Building community?
We appreciate being part of a building that values design, craftsmanship, and continuous improvement. The character of the building, the abundance of natural light, and the professional atmosphere make it a great place for both our team and our clients. It's a space we're proud to bring people into.
What is your favorite neighborhood amenity?
Moving to Watkins has introduced us to a new part of Minneapolis and opened opportunities to work with homeowners in neighborhoods we hadn't served as frequently before. Our team also enjoys the variety of nearby restaurants, and the location offers convenient access to both I-94 and I-35W while remaining close to the lakes and surrounding neighborhoods.
What is your favorite part of your space at Watkins?
Our office finally gives us the room we need to work efficiently and welcome clients into a space that reflects our brand. The dedicated showroom, spacious conference room, and large windows create an inviting environment for both our team and our clients.
Having a separate warehouse nearby also allows our construction teams to operate more efficiently while keeping our office and client-facing spaces organized and focused on the customer experience.
Was there anything unique about your space that Watkins helped accommodate?
One of the biggest advantages of Watkins was the opportunity to customize the space to fit our business. We were able to create an office and showroom tailored to the way we work, incorporating finishes, gathering spaces, and a client experience that feels authentic to White Crane.
The ample parking, oversized windows, and convenient location made the space even more attractive for both employees and clients.
How has being located at Watkins impacted your business?
Watkins has given us the space to continue growing while creating a much better experience for both our team and our clients. We now have dedicated areas for collaboration, client meetings, and product selections, allowing us to showcase our work in a way we couldn't before.
The move has also expanded our visibility into new neighborhoods while giving us a professional environment that reflects the quality of our work. It's been an important step forward as our company continues to grow.
What do you like about working with Hillcrest?
Angie, Tim, and the entire Hillcrest team have been incredibly responsive and easy to work with. Whether it's a maintenance question or a building improvement, they're quick to respond—often within minutes—and genuinely care about the tenant experience.
One of the biggest benefits for us has been having Hillcrest handle the day-to-day property maintenance. At our previous location, we were responsible for everything from snow removal to landscaping. Now those responsibilities are taken care of, allowing us to focus on serving our clients. We also appreciate Hillcrest's ongoing investment in the property through continual improvements that make a real difference for tenants.
