A historic building at St. Paul’s former Schmidt Brewery site is getting a new lease on life with the arrival of Keg House Commons. The development transforms the former Keg & Case Market into a destination for boxing, fitness, sports viewing, and community events. Backed by a group that includes former Minnesota Vikings player Michael Floyd, the project aims to combine wellness, entertainment, and neighborhood connections under one roof.
Keg House Commons Gives the Historic Brewery Building a New Purpose
A historic building in St. Paul is beginning a new chapter, transforming from a former brewery facility and marketplace into a destination for fitness, entertainment, and community gatherings. Keg House Commons occupies the former Keg & Case Market building at 928 West Seventh Street, part of the historic Schmidt Brewery site. The building previously housed Keg & Case Market, which opened in 2018 and brought together food vendors, small businesses, and community events before eventually closing. After the property went into foreclosure, the new ownership group acquired it and spent months renovating the interior while preserving much of its historic character. Rather than returning the building to its former role as a food hall, the developers are creating distinct spaces for exercise, socializing, sports viewing, and private events. The project reflects an effort to make productive use of a recognizable neighborhood landmark while introducing activities that can attract visitors throughout the week. Its future success will depend on how effectively these different uses work together and become part of everyday life in the surrounding community.
The Project Combines Boxing, Fitness, and Social Wellness
Keg House Commons is built around the idea that a neighborhood destination can offer more than one reason to visit. Its central fitness attraction is Element Boxing and Fitness, a St. Paul business founded by Dalton Outlaw, who has operated the gym for approximately 15 years. The expanded location is designed to accommodate boxing training, general workouts, fitness classes, and other wellness activities. The owners also envision hosting amateur boxing matches and fight nights, bringing spectators into the building alongside gym members. Plans for the wider facility include a juice bar, a coffee shop, and a social lounge where visitors can meet friends or watch sporting events. The approach is intended to appeal to people who may not be interested in boxing itself but still want a place to exercise, socialize, or take part in local activities. The owners have described this broader focus as social wellness, emphasizing the connections people make through shared experiences. Some planned amenities and programs are being developed in phases, so the full offering is expected to evolve as the business establishes itself.
Former Minnesota Vikings Player Michael Floyd Is Part of the Ownership Group
Professional football is part of the story behind Keg House Commons, thanks to former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Michael Floyd, who joined the project’s ownership group. Floyd grew up in St. Paul and attended Cretin-Derham Hall High School, giving him a personal connection to the area where the development is taking shape. He has said that the investment offers an opportunity to give back to a community that helped shape his life. Floyd also has a longstanding relationship with Dalton Outlaw and his family, having known them since he was around 12 or 13 years old. Their partnership brings together Floyd’s community ties with Outlaw’s experience operating a fitness business and the development expertise of local real estate professional Sean Devine. Floyd’s wife, Sydney, is also involved in the ownership team. The group hopes the project will provide a welcoming place for people from different backgrounds and generations, while creating opportunities for youth and community activities. Floyd has also discussed the possibility of additional wellness amenities, including a sauna and cold plunge area, although those ideas are not all confirmed parts of the initial offering.
The Development Includes an Event Venue for Up to 600 Guests
With roughly 12,000 square feet dedicated to events, Keg House Commons is designed to accommodate gatherings much larger than a typical neighborhood meeting or private party. The event center is intended to host weddings, corporate functions, galas, concerts, boxing matches, sporting events, and community markets. Its initial capacity is around 400 people, with the owners planning to expand that capacity to as many as 600 as the venue develops. The space gives local organizations and private customers another option for events in a historic St. Paul setting. It also creates an opportunity for the building to attract visitors who might not otherwise come for a workout or a sports viewing event. The owners have discussed making the venue available for community programming and working with artists, nonprofits, and local organizations on events. Outdoor patios and green space add to the property’s potential for gatherings, although the details of individual events will depend on scheduling and rental arrangements. By combining a large event venue with fitness facilities and social spaces, Keg House Commons aims to support several types of activity under one roof rather than relying on a single business to bring people through its doors.
The Sports Lounge Is Designed for Game Days and Community Gatherings
Sports fans will have another reason to visit the former brewery building through the Keg House Lounge, a social space designed for watching games and spending time with others. The lounge features 12 televisions, including a 150-inch video wall, and seating for more than 75 people. Its layout is intended to make it suitable for watching major Minnesota sporting events, including games involving the Vikings, Timberwolves, Wild, and Twins. An upstairs private area can also be rented for corporate gatherings and other functions. The owners have discussed hosting watch parties and other social events, although the schedule for regular public access was still being developed when the project was announced. Some early gatherings may be private or invitation-only while the team works out how the lounge will operate. The broader aim is to create a space where people can gather around sports, live music, and other shared interests. Its eventual role will depend on programming, availability, and how the owners balance private rentals with events open to the wider community.
The Owners Want to Preserve the Building’s Community Connection
For the people behind Keg House Commons, the goal is not simply to renovate an old building and fill it with businesses. They also want to maintain its role as a place where people can meet, discover local enterprises, and participate in neighborhood activities. Keg & Case Market previously brought food vendors, small businesses, and community events into the building, and the new owners hope to carry some of that spirit forward through vendor markets, art-related events, fitness programs, and public gatherings. They are also exploring ways to provide discounted access to the event venue for nonprofits, artists, and community organizations. The project’s wellness focus extends beyond competitive athletes, with the owners discussing programs for children, older adults, and people who benefit from adaptive fitness activities. A juice bar operated by the St. Paul-based, Black-owned business Life Juices is also planned as part of the development, with its opening expected in 2027. Not every proposed activity or amenity will be available immediately, but the ownership group’s stated ambition is to create a place that welcomes people whether they come to work out, attend an event, watch a game, or simply connect with others. That community role will be an important part of shaping the building’s next chapter.
