SIFT Minneapolis Location Information
Map and Directions
SIFT's headquarters are located in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, at:
319 N. 1st Avenue, Suite 400
Minneapolis, MN 55401-1689
Getting To SIFT:
You can get from MSP (Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport) to our offices easily and quickly, regardless of traffic, via light rail. There's only one train (light rail) in/out of the airport, and you just have to get on the right direction (to downtown). Take it to the next-to-last stop, Warehouse District, and you'll be one block from the AC Hotel (recommended, but check with your host about nearby construction) and two blocks from SIFT. If you miss the Warehouse District stop and go to the end of the line, at the Twins stadium, you are still only a few more blocks away. See ticketing instructions and map ; the fare is less than $3.00.
Uber and Lyft both pick up at MSP-- follow signs to "App based ride services" (you'll go down from luggage claim level, under the street, then back up two floors). The drive to HQ is about 12 miles, and will be quite a bit faster than the train, if traffic is low. A taxi is also plausible, running about $35-40 with tip.
Driving Directions:
We do not recommend renting a car. The downtown area is very walkable, even in winter (with above-ground skyways), quite safe in most areas, and parking can be expensive and challenging. However, if you do rent a car, here are driving directions from MSP to SIFT:
Exit the airport in the left lane and follow MN-5 E. Take the MN-55W/MN-55E exit towards Minneapolis. Keep left at the fork, follow signs for MN-55 W and merge onto MN-55 W. Follow MN-55W for about 6 miles, then take the 3rd street/Washington Ave exit. Stay left and merge onto S 3rd St. Drive 1.3 miles through downtown and turn left on N 1st Ave; SIFT is on the left.
Parking:
If arriving by car, we have a limited number of parking spaces (about 8 max if you block people in) behind our building: following the directions above, pass the SIFT building, turn left on 4th St N and enter the alley on the left; follow the alley until you see a chain link fence on the left; turn left and park immediately *before* the chain link fence, in the small lot with signs saying SIFT Parking; if you do not see those signs, you are in the wrong place. Do not park in the spot closest to the alley, that is reserved for our facility staff. If you park in this lot, please ensure that your host immediately emails all SIFT-Mpls employees to notify them of the unusual car-- otherwise it may be towed!
Street parking is credit-card capable, pay-box metered on the surrounding streets. While street parking is sometimes available, be sure to check the overhead illuminated signs which indicate whether parking is prohibited (e.g., during morning rush hour and baseball games and snow emergencies). If street parking is not available, there are several nearby ramps; follow the P signs.
Building Entrance:
The entrance to the building is on 1st Avenue North, which is the road along the north-west side of the building. The entrance is clearly marked as "319 1st Avenue North" above the doorway, which can also be seen in this Google Street View of the entrance. There is a SIFT logo sticker on the door. A Breakfast Bar restaurant is now operating on the first floor; they open at 6am, so the door should be unlocked. Once you arrive, please call your host to be admitted to the SIFT floors (4 and 5).
Where To Stay
Hotels and restaurants in the area can be seen on Google. The AC Hotel by Marriott is closest, with Loews Minneapolis Hotel, Hampton Inn & Suites, Marriott, Westin, and Hotel Minneapolis also easy walks both from SIFT and the light rail stops in downtown Minneapolis.
Minneapolis / Saint Paul
The Twin Cities of Minneapolis / Saint Paul Minnesota are a vibrant urban center with a metro area population of about 3.3 million. The Twin Cities consistently ranks highly for best place to live (CNN Money, 2010 and Kiplinger, 2006) and work (MarketWatch, 2007) and even bicycle year-round (Bicycling, 2010, City of Minneapolis). The area also hosts exceptionally well-regarded arts and music communities, diverse activities and entertainment possibilities, clean water and air, and a welcoming community for singles and families.