Born in County Tipperary and raised on a farm in rural Kerry, Gleeson came to Minneapolis in 1968 to join the team designing the iconic IDS Center—still the tallest building in the state. After opening his own office above O’Connell’s Pub on Grand Avenue in the ’70s, Gleeson went on to help reimagine parts of Grand Avenue, Lowertown and more.

The Eoin McKiernan Library recorded this video oral history interview with Dan in fall 2023. Dan speaks about his life including growing up in Ireland, moving to Minnesota, his architectural career, the development of Grand Avenue and his involvement with the Twin Cities Irish community and Na Fianna Irish Theatre.

We are launching this interview in conjunction with a show of Dan Gleeson's architectural renderings at the Celtic Junction Arts Center. The show includes Gleeson’s renderings of structures, built and unbuilt, in St. Paul and Minneapolis. The selections from his extensive portfolio celebrate Gleeson’s gorgeous work and its many dreamlike depictions of familiar (and not-so-familiar!) sights around the Twin Cities.

A transcription of the interview will be available soon!