August 1, 2017

The Woodrow Apartments: Old School Meets New School

When an old structure no longer supports it original purpose, it takes thoughtful engagement to reveal its latent potential. The former Woodrow Wilson school building in downtown Fargo is no exception.

The Woodrow Wilson school was built in downtown Fargo in 1917 and was originally designed to house twelve elementary classrooms. While students filled the hallways during the day, the community used the space in the evenings for adult education. After 95 years at this location, the Woodrow Wilson student body moved to another location in the Fargo school district. The vacated building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 24, 2012.

In 2017, on the building’s centennial, it reopened as one-of-a-kind living spaces full of historic character and unique details honoring its past as a school. A shared lobby and resident courtyard connect the repurposed school building to a newly constructed apartment building to the east.

Each of the 34 apartments in the former school have their own unique charm. Exposed brick, high ceilings, repurposed closet doors and original hardwood floors preserve the character and historic elements of the original building.

The buildings stand ready to serve the Fargo community for the next century. Together, they form the Woodrow Apartments.

 

On July 18, 2017, a grand opening and centennial celebration was held at the Woodrow Apartments in downtown Fargo. This event marked the 100th year of the Woodrow Wilson school site and honored the transformation of this historic site into unique apartment homes.

 

See more of Woodrow’s Grand Opening Event on Facebook.