Pillsbury Hall Stainless steel staircase railing
Owner: University of Minnesota
General Contractor: JE Dunn
Architects: Architecture Advantage
Perforated Panel Fabrication: StellarCraft
Product: custom railings, Pulsar
Historic Fabrication for a Landmark Restoration
Originally completed in 1889, Pillsbury Hall is the second-oldest building on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus. The $36 million renovation transformed the 59,000-square-foot historic structure into a modern home for the English Department and the Liberal Arts Engagement Hub. The architects had a goal of preserving the building historic character while providing a much needed renovation.
A central feature of the renovation was the insertion of a new four-level staircase within the building’s iconic turret, connecting all four floors for the first time. Throughout the project, modern accessibility, safety, and building code requirements had to be integrated into the existing structure while maintaining minimal impact on its original architecture.
StellarCraft was selected to fabricate two distinct architectural metal systems:
- Interior stainless steel staircase railings
- Exterior decorative bronze-finished handrails
The Challenge: Every Measurement Matters
Stainless Steel Staircase Railing
The new interior staircase in the turret tower incorporated a complex twisting geometry that made conventional railing fabrication impossible. Because the stair continuously changed direction, every railing post occupied a unique location and elevation.
Each of the 300+ stainless steel pickets had to be individually field measured to ensure the top rail remained at a consistent slope throughout the stair’s changing geometry.
Exterior Decorative Handrail
The exterior handrail presented a different fabrication challenge. New railings had to integrate with an existing concrete landing while appearing as though they had always been part of the original building.
The architect specified a custom bronze finish aged to replicate approximately ten years of natural weathering so the new post bases would visually match the existing bronze elements surrounding the entry.
The Solution: Making a Masterpiece One Post at a Time
Stainless Steel Staircase Railing
StellarCraft developed the complete fabrication strategy for the interior railing system, combining field verification with precision shop fabrication.
Following field measuring, each stair railing post was manufactured to its own unique dimension, allowing the completed handrail to maintain a consistent grade throughout the stair’s changing slope.
Custom steel connection assemblies were fastened beneath the wood handrail and remained fully concealed from view. The stainless steel posts were mechanically fastened directly to the stair stringers, providing a clean, minimalist appearance without compromising structural performance.
Exterior Decorative Handrail
Working within the constraints of the existing historic structure, StellarCraft fabricated a custom decorative handrail system engineered specifically for installation into the existing concrete landing.
A multi-stage finishing process recreated the appearance of naturally weathered bronze, allowing the newly fabricated steel components to blend seamlessly with the surrounding historic bronze features.
To preserve the appearance of continuous bronze construction, all handrail cap splices were fully welded and ground smooth before finishing. Weld quality was held to NOMMA #1 standards, requiring welds to become visually indistinguishable from the surrounding material after finishing.
before & after stainless steel staircase Railing renovation
Today, Pillsbury Hall serves as the new home of the University of Minnesota’s English Department and the Liberal Arts Engagement Hub, transforming a once-aging building into a vibrant destination for learning, collaboration, and community engagement. The implementation of the modern picket design for the turret staircase now serves as a central focus of the building. StellarCraft was proud to have contributed to the historic preservation of this iconic campus landmark.
