Merit Award Winner
Gateway Plaza
Confluence
Award Year / 2026
Entry Category / Unbuilt Works
Location / Minneapolis, MN
Gateway Plaza is a conceptual urban park designed to revitalize downtown Minneapolis by transforming a former parking lot and vehicular corridor into a vibrant, year-round civic destination. Located in the historic Gateway District, the plaza restores a long-lost public gathering place through flexible programming, inclusive design, and resilient green infrastructure. Built atop nearly four acres of structured green roof, the park integrates active lawns, interactive water features, native landscapes, and cultural elements that reflect the city’s history and seasons. Gateway Plaza supports daily use, seasonal events, and large civic gatherings, reconnecting people, places, and community at the heart of downtown.