University Area Minneapolis Roofing for Homes, Rentals and Apartments
University area Minneapolis roofing covers some of the oldest and most varied buildings in the city. The University community wraps around the University of Minnesota on both banks of the Mississippi and includes Victorian-era houses on Nicollet Island, bungalows and 1920s homes in Como, Queen Anne and Colonial Revival houses on the hills of Prospect Park, student rentals and walk-ups across Marcy-Holmes, and high-rise and mid-rise apartment buildings in Cedar-Riverside.
Much of the area is renter-occupied, so many of the people who call us are landlords and property managers as well as homeowners. Whatever you own, we help you find a roofer who knows that building type.
Call (888) 657-0348 or request a free estimate. We respond within 24–48 hours.
The Community
University Area Minneapolis Roofing Starts With Knowing the Community
University is one of Minneapolis’s eleven official communities, named for the University of Minnesota. It is the only Minneapolis community with neighborhoods on both sides of the Mississippi River. The parts east of the river are commonly called Southeast Minneapolis, and most street names there carry the SE suffix. The community also contains the university’s West Bank campus and Augsburg University.
It is growing fast. Population rose from about 38,800 in 2010 to about 51,900 in 2020, an increase of roughly 34%, driven largely by new apartment buildings for students and young professionals. That means the area now combines some of the city’s oldest houses with some of its newest multi-family construction, often on the same block.
For roofing, that mix means steep, complex roofs on older houses, roofs that take a beating on high-turnover rentals, and flat or low-slope membrane roofs on apartment buildings, commercial blocks and industrial property.
Neighborhoods
University Area Neighborhoods We Serve
The University community includes seven official neighborhoods. We arrange roofing services across all of them:
- Cedar-Riverside
- Como
- Marcy-Holmes
- Mid-City Industrial
- Nicollet Island/East Bank
- Prospect Park
- University
Familiar areas such as Dinkytown (in Marcy-Holmes), the West Bank (Cedar-Riverside) and the Old St. Anthony business district along East Hennepin all fall inside this community. For the rest of the city, see our service area.
Housing Stock
Neighborhood by Neighborhood: Homes and Roofs in the University Area
Marcy-Holmes and Dinkytown
Marcy-Holmes sits on a bluff overlooking the river and the downtown skyline, between Central Avenue and the university. More than 86% of households rent, and the area is known for its Dinkytown and St. Anthony Main commercial districts next to the university’s East Bank campus. Where older houses have been divided into rental units, expect complex roofs with added dormers, extra plumbing vents for added kitchens and baths, and a patch history that reflects years of piecemeal repairs.
Como
Como, east of I-35W up to the city limit, has a core of modest early 20th-century bungalows and Victorian and 1920s homes, mixed with newer duplexes and single-family houses. Two-story walk-up apartment buildings from after the 1960s line Como, 15th and Hennepin Avenues. About 79% of housing is renter-occupied. Bungalows with finished upper floors are classic ice-dam candidates, while the walk-ups typically have low-slope roofs.
Prospect Park
Prospect Park was platted in the 1880s on hilly ground, and its terrain slowed building into the 1910s. Most houses were built in the popular styles of the time, especially Queen Anne and Colonial Revival, with single-family homes on Tower Hill, home of the 1913 Prospect Park Water Tower, and early-to-mid 20th-century estate homes along East River Road. The core of the neighborhood, about 138 acres, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015 as the Prospect Park Residential Historic District. Queen Anne roofs, with their towers, cross gables and many valleys, are among the most detailed roofs a crew can face.
Nicollet Island/East Bank
The north end of Nicollet Island holds 22 restored Victorian-era houses and three multi-family buildings. The island is part of the St. Anthony Falls Historic District, listed on the National Register in 1971, and the Park Board owns the restored homes, which residents hold on long-term leases. The East Bank side includes the St. Anthony Main commercial area.
Cedar-Riverside
On the West Bank, Cedar-Riverside combines the Riverside Plaza high-rises, opened in 1973 and designed by Ralph Rapson, with older buildings from its days as a Scandinavian immigrant neighborhood. Its commercial blocks along Cedar Avenue and in Seven Corners typically have flat roofs.
University and Mid-City Industrial
The University neighborhood is dominated by the campus itself, along with surrounding housing. Mid-City Industrial, as its name says, is mostly industrial and commercial property, where large low-slope roofs are the norm.
Get a Roofer for Your University Area Property
Tell us about your house, rental or apartment building in Marcy-Holmes, Como, Prospect Park or nearby. Call (888) 657-0348.
Common Problems
Roofing Concerns Specific to the University Area
Rental wear and deferred maintenance
On rental houses, roofs often get attention only when a tenant reports a leak. By then, water may have damaged insulation, ceilings and framing. A scheduled inspection, ideally in fall before snow arrives, catches failing flashing and vent boots early.
Complex roofs on older houses
Queen Anne, Victorian and early Colonial Revival houses have more roof planes, valleys, dormers and transitions than modern homes. Each one is a place where water can get in, and each takes skilled flashing work during replacement.
Ice dams
Bungalows and older houses with finished attics and knee walls are prone to ice dams. Heat escaping into the roof melts snow that refreezes at the eaves. Air sealing, insulation and ventilation, plus ice barrier at the eaves during replacement, are the standard defenses.
Flat roofs on walk-ups and commercial buildings
Walk-up apartments, Dinkytown and Cedar Avenue storefronts and industrial buildings rely on low-slope membranes. Ponding water, open seams and worn parapet flashing are the usual problems after freeze-thaw cycles. Our flat roof repair page covers the typical fixes.
Terrain
Bluffs, Hills and Tight Lots: Practical Challenges
The University area’s geography affects how roof work gets done. Marcy-Holmes sits on a bluff above the river, and Prospect Park’s hilly terrain shaped how the neighborhood was built. Tower Hill is often cited as one of the highest points in the city. Homes on slopes and hilltops can see more wind exposure, and sloped lots can make it harder to set ladders, position a dumpster or stage materials.
On older blocks with narrow lots, crews may share tight side yards with the house next door or work from an alley. Dense rental blocks add parked cars and foot traffic. When you collect estimates, ask how the roofer will protect landscaping and neighboring property, where the dumpster will go, and whether any street use will be needed. Those details rarely show up on a price sheet but make a real difference in how smoothly a project goes.
Our Services
Roofing Services We Arrange in the University Area
- Roof repair: leaks, flashing, vents, chimneys and storm damage. See roof leak repair.
- Roof replacement: tear-off and new roof systems for houses and small rental buildings. Read about roof replacement in Minneapolis.
- Roof inspections: for landlords between leases, buyers and owners planning ahead. See what a roof inspection includes.
- Flat and commercial roofing: walk-ups, mixed-use buildings and industrial property. Visit our commercial roofing page.
- Townhome roofing: for newer townhome and condo projects in the area.
- Emergency repairs: when a storm or leak puts tenants or contents at risk.
Historic Districts
Historic Districts and University Area Roof Work
The University community has several historic designations. The City of Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission’s list of local historic districts includes the Dinkytown Commercial Historic District, the Fifth Street Southeast Historic District and the University of Minnesota Greek Letter Chapter House Historic District. The St. Anthony Falls Historic District covers Nicollet Island and parts of the riverfront, and Prospect Park’s core is on the National Register.
National Register listing and local designation are different programs, and the rules depend on the property. If your building is a designated landmark or sits within a local historic district, exterior changes, including switching roofing materials or altering dormers, chimneys or rooftop features, may need heritage preservation review before work starts. Check with the city’s heritage preservation staff before you sign a contract.
For Landlords
Tips for Landlords and Owners Near the University
- Schedule work around the academic calendar. Summer, between leases, is often the easiest time for a full replacement on a rental house.
- Inspect every fall. A quick check before winter is cheaper than repairing water damage in February.
- Ask about decking and layers. Older houses may hide multiple roof layers and damaged boards.
- Keep records. Photos and invoices help with insurance claims and future sales.
- Look at ventilation. Converted attics and added bathrooms can trap moisture in the roof assembly.
Nearby Minneapolis communities
We also arrange roofing work in neighboring parts of the city, including Northeast Minneapolis Roofing, Downtown Minneapolis Roofing, Longfellow Roofing. See every community we cover on our Minneapolis roofing service area page.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common roofing questions from homeowners and property owners in the University area.
Which neighborhoods are in the University community?
The University community includes Cedar-Riverside, Como, Marcy-Holmes, Mid-City Industrial, Nicollet Island/East Bank, Prospect Park and University.
Do you work with landlords and student rental owners?
Yes. Much of the area is renter-occupied, and we arrange inspections, repairs and replacements for rental houses and small apartment buildings.
Is Prospect Park a historic district?
The core of Prospect Park, about 138 acres, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015. National Register listing is different from local designation, so check with the city about which rules apply to your property.
When is the best time to replace a roof on a rental near campus?
Many owners schedule replacements in summer between leases to minimize disruption. Avoid waiting until late fall, when cold weather can complicate the work.
Can you help with flat roofs on Dinkytown or Cedar Avenue buildings?
Yes. We arrange flat and low-slope roofing for commercial and mixed-use buildings, including membrane repair and replacement.
How quickly will someone respond?
We respond within 24–48 hours. Mention an active leak when you call.
Request a Free Roofing Estimate in the University Area
From Queen Anne houses in Prospect Park to bungalows in Como and rentals in Marcy-Holmes, we can connect you with the right roofer. Call (888) 657-0348 or request a free estimate.
