New Decade. New Names. New Sectors.
Building on the rich history and tradition of its earlier companies, Opus began the 2010s with new operating company names and a new mission. Opus established itself in new sectors and maintained a stream of work in existing sectors, completing notable projects around the country like:
- the award-winning The Nic on Fifth® luxury multifamily apartments in downtown Minneapolis,
- a 1.6-million-square-foot distribution center for long-time partner ConAgra Foods in Frankfort, Ind.,
- national and international headquarter offices for companies like Xcel Energy, TriZetto, Gavilon, Centerpoint Energy and Church & Dwight, and
- Stadium Village Flats, a luxury student housing complex adjacent to the University of Minnesota and Opus' first student housing project, which became part of a significant and growing student housing business for Opus.
Ringing in the new millennium
Opus launched itself into the new millennium with high-profile projects such as:
- a 1.6 million-square-foot corporate headquarters for Best Buy in Richfield, Minn.;
- a 98,000-square-foot headquarters for HOK Sport, the first new commercial building in decades to grace the historic River Market district in Kansas City, Mo.;
- the pioneering Shoppes at Arbor Lakes, the first upscale lifestyle center in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metro area, and
- Crescent Ridge Corporate Center I, the first multitenant building in Minnesota to achieve LEED-EB Gold certification.
Experienced talent across sectors
Showcasing integrated skills and expertise in a landmark project in downtown Omaha, Neb., Opus developed, designed and constructed ConAgra's corporate campus in the 1990s. After completing the four-building, 450,000-square-foot campus, ConAgra again looked to Opus' expertise to complete additional campus developments, including two parking decks and a 150,000-square-foot Global Trading Center.
The 1990s also saw Opus distinguish itself within the government sector, constructing the California Department of Justice building in Sacramento, Calif.
Winning a competition to design and construct the Mariucci Arena at the University of Minnesota and completing the downtown campus for the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis, Opus showcased its knowledge and expertise in the institutional sector.
Creative Work: Expanding horizons and creating new skylines
In 1982, the company unveiled its new name, Opus Corporation, meaning "a creative work." The company expanded its market presence and brought new buildings to life, including:
- Southwest Financial Plaza in Phoenix;
- Westshore Place, Opus' first office building in Tampa, Fla., and
- 100 and 150 South Fifth Street—buildings that changed the skyline in downtown Minneapolis.
Leaders in innovative design
Throughout the 1970s, Rauenhorst Construction Company illustrated innovative thinking and strong architecture and engineering skills on projects, including:
- Northwestern Financial Center (Bloomington, Minn.)—featured a top-floor carousel, state-of-the-art fire and life safety system and a heat-pump system that became a prototype for the growing construction company and
- American Family Insurance office (Minnetonka, Minn.)—achieved a new level of client service excellence as the first project to include a detailed study of the client's space needs as part of the design process.
Deep roots as a design-build pioneer
In the 1960s, Rauenhorst Construction Company stripped away the age-old tensions between architects and contractors—horizontally integrating the two components of projects to promote accountability and responsibility from concept to completion.
The company launched this turnkey approach with the completion of an office and manufacturing facility for The Toro Company—and broke new ground as a leader in the design-build delivery method, saving clients time and money.
"Walking the talk"
In 1953, Gerry Rauenhorst founded Rauenhorst Construction Company grounded in a vision to build a strong reputation of integrity in the community. The young company's first contract was for the construction of the Zion Lutheran Church in Rauenhorst's hometown of Olivia, Minn.
From its first headquarters building in Bloomington, Minn., Rauenhorst Construction Company embraced a culture of honesty—making a commitment to complete projects on time and on budget—and building trust with clients along the way.
