Moose Dixon Penthouse
Written by TRACY NICHOLSON
Photos by DAN FRANCIS PHOTOGRAPHY & CHASE EVERT
It’s showtime! Overlooking Broadway in the heart of downtown Fargo, the Moose Dixon Penthouse sets the stage for a VIP view of Fargo Theatre’s iconic marquee. The sky-high penthouse crowns a landmark 1905 building that was once home to Dixon Laundry, Dixon Hotel, and the Moose Lodge.
Inside, broker John Knosalla, along with interior designer Brandi Youngmark, took on a 3,302-square-foot renovation and historic preservation, completing an extraordinary design inspired by the original vision of its previous owner and local entrepreneur, the late Ace Brandt. Although Ace wasn’t able to see the home he envisioned come to life, his legacy lives on by design, stealing the show from floor to rooftop patios.
John Knosalla, JK Property Partners, Oxford Realty
SKY’S THE LIMIT
Bypassing the heated underground parking, we’re riding this elevator straight to the top, where a breathtaking fusion of historic elegance and contemporary sophistication harmoniously resides. Inside this two-bed, two-bath luxury penthouse, striking architectural forms are born to invite natural light, framing Fargo’s iconic skyline like a work of fine art.
A HISTORIC INVESTMENT
The Moose Dixon Penthouse, at 305 Broadway North, was listed in August by John Knosalla of JK Property Partners/Oxford Realty for $2.5M. Today, the penthouse and the entire building are officially under contract, in record time. To John, the building and penthouse were more than just another hot listing, a meaningful two-year investment that revitalizes a local legend’s decade-long downtown dream and the Moose Dixon’s historic prestige.
When John and his partners purchased the Moose Dixon building in 2023, its penthouse had been sitting empty since 2007 — unfinished but fully architecturally drawn for the vision of Fargo entrepreneur Ace Brandt. Before his passing in 2021, Ace was a transformative force in Fargo’s development — blending agriculture, real estate, sports, and hospitality into a dynamic national and regional legacy, including founding Brandt Holdings, Brandt Hospitality Group, and the Fargo Force hockey team, among others.
Ace was well known for his exquisite design eye, inspiring John to invest over a year of researching and planning to uncover the original penthouse plan. To help decipher the complexities of its unique floorplan and global finish selections, John recruited Brandi Youngmark Interior Design, who meticulously balanced historic preservation, Ace’s original contemporary design, and today’s warmer, emerging styles.
A BLANK CANVAS
When John first acquired the property, much of the building had been gutted by Ace’s team, primarily a shell, with minimal rough-ins of plumbing and electrical, along with a completed excavation for heated underground parking. The penthouse had also been entirely overhauled, including a complete reconstruction of the roofline. Ace had worked with a Chicago- based architect to create the extraordinary barrel ceiling and turnbuckle beams in raw Douglas Fir, which John discovered still wrapped in plastic. The barrel form strategically places 26 skyline windows around the entire perimeter of the great room, kitchen, and dining room.
ACE + ARTISTRY
Throughout the penthouse, Brandi and John referenced Ace’s design as inspiration, tracking down and sourcing many of the light fixtures chosen in the original plans, including the dining room’s Louis Poulsen Enigma pendants by Japanese designer Shoichi Uchiyama. This pendant is designed with thin layers of concentric circles and floating shades held by ultra-thin wires, creating the illusion of self- suspended light expression.
To contrast and complement the more contemporary illusion, John worked with Fargo Woodworks to design a seamless 12-foot live-edge walnut dining table, which required eight people to transport. The entertaining space is accented with bold splashes of color from a trio of original canvases by Fargo artist Kate Baldock. “I love Kate’s work; it really helped bring the space to life,” said Youngmark. “Although several of Ace’s selections were Italian, we felt it was really important to incorporate the work of local artists and craftsmen whenever possible.”
To complete the original framed- out niche near the elevator, John went further into the Midwest to find a perfect vertical fit within the gallery of HUDA, a Detroit artist who created the natural oxidation steel patina abstract sculpture.
“We tried to stay true to Aces’ vision as much as we could,” said Knosalla. “He kind of gave us the template, and we wanted to pay homage to what he had envisioned. It may be unassuming from the outside, but the inside is a New York luxury penthouse in the heartbeat of Fargo.”
CUCINA MODERNA
At the heart of the penthouse is a state-of-the-art Italian Valcucine kitchen, renowned for its sustainable and ergonomically designed kitchen systems. The company was founded in Pordenone—the heart of Italy’s “kitchen valley”— and designed for intuitive, reach-first interaction. This architecturally-orchestrated system, chosen by Ace nearly a decade ago, preserves the sleek aesthetic of the open floor plan by concealing everyday appliances and tools in recyclable glass, aluminum, steel, and walnut.
When Ace’s assets were liquidated, John and his partners negotiated a deal for the Moose Dixon building, which included this kitchen. “The entire kitchen system sat in climate-controlled storage in boxes and crates for about eight years,” explained Knosalla. “We didn’t know what it was, if all the pieces were there, or if it was in good shape — nobody knew, and the instructions were in Italian. There was no way to take an inventory, so we rolled the dice.”
Searching for an elite installer of the Italian line, John eventually tracked down Kevin Mullally through DOM Interiors in Minneapolis, the only installer of Valcucine kitchens in this part of the country. Despite thousands of pieces laid out across the entire penthouse floor, the installation process only took three weeks, thankfully with every finite piece accounted for. Ace’s timeless taste and John’s roll of the dice paid off — in pristine condition, this distinct style remains a sought-after system at Valcucine today, with a bold $500,000 price tag.
Once installed, the chef’s kitchen was outfitted with top-of-the-line Miele appliances, including an induction cooktop architecturally camouflaged by an elevated sliding chop in Corian.
Dishware and common kitchen tools are also aesthetically hidden beneath lift-up cabinet panels constructed in lightweight aluminum and a high-gloss thermo-lacquered finish. Other hidden features include a corner pantry, matte glass backsplash, and an oversized walnut spice rack.
One of the kitchen’s signature Valcucine features is its back-painted glass doors and transparent glass-bottom drawers, which lend the illusion of floating flatware and cutlery.
Traveling around the perimeter, wet bar, and island are ultra-thin Penins granite countertops, a walnut waterfall bar, dual sinks, a climate- controlled wine fridge, a built-in icemaker, two beverage fridges, and an espresso machine — complete with coffee cup warming drawers.
The nearly 12-foot island includes a separate walnut counter on the seating side, with a sleek granite surrounding the sink’s hidden stainless steel amenities, including built-in outlets, a plumbed-in drying rack, and arm’s-reach storage for cleaning essentials.
BUTLER’S PANTRY
Beyond the chef’s kitchen, a butler’s pantry provides necessities for both entertaining and utility, including additional storage, mechanical, ovens and warming drawers, and a limited edition Valcucine tambour garage door that reveals a full-size washer and dryer.
GREAT ROOM
In the great room, the open- concept flows effortlessly under exposed I-beams and barrel ceilings from dining to living, featuring automated shades, a dual-zone furnace, invisible speakers, and smart lighting, all powered by a full smart home system installed by Signature Home Technologies.
Alongside exposed, European- style suspended can lights, the penthouse’s 24 Caden pendants add elevated interest and dimension between the barrel form’s upper windows, Douglas Fir beams, and 17-foot cedar ceilings.
The stunning great room expanse is divided into two distinct entertaining zones that extend to the rooftop patio through a glass door and six poplar and custom steel-framed windows. A formal seating lounge includes a fusion of more contemporary and structured vintage pieces around concrete nesting tables and a glassed-in linear fireplace by Hebron Brick. The larger, more informal seating space positions the original brick wall as its focal point, inviting curated comfort, with distressed jewel-toned suede, sleek sofa lines, and organic linen blends.
Brandi hand-selected all of the furnishings at the South Carolina Market, where she sourced several one-of-a-kind pieces from high-end global collections. “With the furnishings, we really wanted to keep the great room open and airy, but include some warm, eclectic pieces — a design that was a little more linear, contemporary, and low-profile,” explained Youngmark. “We chose a few more masculine pieces that were a nod to Ace’s original intent and that period of his life, including a variety of warm tones and natural textures with contemporary leather and suede elements.”
“All of Ace’s projects have been monumental, from the design of his Fargo homes to his lake homes,” added Youngmark. “He has worked all over the world on his hotels and other projects, with a vision that is so much more than what we would typically see in the Midwest. His plans for this penthouse showed a lot of really forward design thinking.”
BRANDI YOUNGMARK
Interior Designer
ILLUMINATE THE WAY
Signature to the more private living spaces are eight-foot solid wood Bayer Built doors with striking chrome inlays and historic hallways that preserve the building’s weathered brick Wrigley branding, now a poetic urban canvas.
The walkways are further illuminated with an artistic interpretation of in-wall lighting more commonly used in commercial hospitality settings. This InvisiLED lighting, installed by K&D Electric, surrounds the elevator arrival before architecturally bending corners with a linear design into the private living corridors; a unique feature first envisioned by Ace nearly ten years ago.
“The biggest challenge of this project was time; it took about a year longer than I thought to source everything,” said Knosalla. “We were very particular about the fit to finish. Going back to Ace’s vision, then trying to marry it all together — we had one shot, and we had to do it right.”
PENTHOUSE PRECISION
The penthouse’s private primary suite is where good mornings are gifted a front row view of Broadway and the iconic Fargo Theater marquee. Here, John went to great lengths to preserve the building’s original brick through dry-ice blasting by Bradco Restoration, cleaning and revealing remnants of the wall’s historic Dixon Steam Co. branding. While visually experiencing a bustling Broadway, this primary is designed to quiet the action, including two layers of 3/4” plywood, a 3/4” rubber membrane, and spray foam across the entire subfloor of the penthouse.
Brandi and John curated every captivating element to effortlessly frame the skyline and historic features without distraction. The signature marquee, first installed in 1926 and upgraded in 2019, was the clear focal point, inspiring the suite’s Art Deco surroundings of mid-century modern globe pendants, marble tops, and a fluted walnut headboard. Bringing the room’s branded brick further into the design, Brandi and John highlighted its full expression with a suspended corner fireplace and cozy club chairs.
In this penthouse retreat, even the primary bath puts on a Broadway performance, directing natural light to wall-hung walnut vanities, European Riobel plumbing, three-inch quartz tops, large- format porcelain tile, and backlit smart mirrors. Brandi created visual separation for his and hers vanities with exquisite velvet benches, original Kate Baldock canvases, and an oversized acid- wash mirror that leans into the building’s original brick, glowing from above with an installation of discreet LED lighting.
Follow the restored brick wall past a private toilet room and into a semi-private soaker tub room, where a glass-enclosed shower is set aglow by the nostalgia of electrical insulator sconces — a nod to downtown Fargo’s industrial past and Ace’s original design. On this brick wall, John removed a large window that looked directly into another building, working with Bradco to infill new brick while preserving the original archway form.
BE OUR GUEST
Within the private living corridor is a serene and contemporary guest quarters designed with soffit lighting and an alternate entrance through a coordinating chrome- inlay sliding barn door.
“Most people think interior designers are just picking out pillows and going shopping, but there is a lot of project management that goes into figuring out how to execute and construct a design so it achieves the desired function and flow,” explained Youngmark. “John and I made a really good team; it was all about collaboration.”
“I’ve been in a lot of projects, but until this one, I truly have never seen how well interior designers can make a space come alive,” said Knosalla. “Brandi nailed it — every step of the way she understood my vision, and it felt like we were on the same page.”
ELEVATED ENTERTAINING
Designed to be an extension of the great room, the primary rooftop patio is a destination for elevated entertaining. Here, John and Brandi chose Hebron Brick’s pedestal tiles to complete the once rubber- coated roof, then worked with Mayhem Metal for custom steel café light poles. They also added a sustainably designed privacy wall in architectural MAC steel siding from Hebron Brick, installed by Knoke Seamless. This wall transitions its wood- look recyclable steel from the new wall to partial-height wall cladding throughout the patio’s expanse. To prime sky-high dining for 21 guests, the two returned to Hebron Brick to add the finishing touches, integrating a premium line of outdoor kitchen grills, cabinetry, and furnishings alongside a linear gas fire table.
Off a private entrance on the fifth floor of the penthouse is a second walkable rooftop patio directly behind the historic pediment panel at the face of the Moose Dixon building. This patio is plumbed for a hot tub and planned for an alternate entertaining space, with a putting green overlooking Broadway. From this patio, a small path takes guests on a walk past the Ipe-cladded entrance and the interior’s barrel ceiling windows, with an overlook of the penthouse’s primary patio.
PRESERVATION FOR THE NEXT GENERATION The Moose Dixon’s encore offers far more than penthouse views; it’s an entirely revitalized building, now home to 11 fully occupied apartments and street- level amenities, including The Toasted Frog and Starion Bank. John considers the building “the nicest 120-year-old building in downtown Fargo,” and for good reason. With the blood, sweat, and tears of John, Brandi, two architects, and a talented team of Midwestern artisans, Ace’s vision has come full circle as the centerpiece of historic Broadway. “From picking selections to making sure Ace’s vision lived on in every detail, this felt personal at every step,” said Knosalla. “Late nights and early mornings here became the norm. My wife Danielle held down the fort and gave me the space to dedicate so much of myself to this building. In many ways, we became ‘downtown people.’ Our date nights were dinners at The Toasted Frog and evenings brainstorming by the fireplace overlooking the Fargo Theatre.”
“It’s hard to put into words what it means to see this building move into its next chapter. The Moose Dixon isn’t just real estate; it’s history, vision, and countless hours of work. I know Ace would be proud, not only of the final result, but of the person stepping in to carry the Moose Dixon forward.”
DESIGN DETAILS: Realtor-Developer: John Knosalla, JK Property Partners/Oxford Realty Interior Design & Furnishings: Brandi Youngmark Interior Design Architects: T.L. Stroh Architects + De Giulio Design Finish Carpenter: Isaac Handegard, Full Circle Finishing Brick Restoration: Bradco Restoration Porcelain Tile: Showcase Flooring Wood Flooring: Walnut, Carpet World Custom Glass: Frontier Glass & Mirror Custom Dining Table: Fargo Woodworks Interior Doors: Bayer Built, Simonson Lumber Smart Home System: Signature Home Technologies Metal Fabrication: Mayhem Metal Artwork: Kate Baldock, HUDA Suspended & Linear Fireplaces: Hebron Brick Outdoor Furnishings, Fire Table & Grilling Stations: Hebron Brick Exterior Patio Siding: MAC steel siding - Hebron Brick, Install by Knoke Seamless Lighting: Valley Lights, Brandi Youngmark Interior Design, Louis Poulsen Smart Mirrors: Valley Lights Electrical & In-Wall Lighting: K&D Electric Plumbing: Magnell Plumbing HVAC: SA Mechanical
JOHN KNOSALLA
JK Property Partners Oxford Realty
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: John Knosalla | JK Property Partners | Oxford Realty 701.306.3229 john@jkpropertypartners.com john.oxfordrealtyfm.com oxfordrealtyfm.com FB: Oxford Realty FM
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Brandi Youngmark Interior Design
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brandi@brandiyoungmark.com
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