[Dougall5505]

are there any pictures of the gopher's stadium construction?

[nocode]

there is a webcam, you can checkout, at this website

http://www1.umn.edu/stadium/construction.php

There are two webcams to choose from. The Twins also have a webcam, at thier website.

[nocode]

I think as far as the Nicolett, if you look back a few pages, you will find the answer to your question.
Peace-

[fiyaaa]

Anyone know if there is any progress on the new Nicollet proposal? I know they canceled the all-residential aspect and turned it into a mixed-use project, but I haven't heard anything about it yet or seen any renderings...

[vgmLiquid]

http://img32.echo.cx/img32/1875/thenicollet015th.jpg
*Image from Urban-planet.com*

No one will tell me what happened to this.:(


Last we heard they are revising it to include office space and scaling back the number of units. I would assume something big is gonna get built there eventually, its location is just to damn good for a tall building not to be built there...if its the Nicollet or not is another story.

[al2six]

so i just moved to minneapolis and i live in laurel village. i'm a bit confused. there's all this empty retail space there. it looks as if it was just built and are momentarily having trouble finding tenants because of the credit crunch. but according to this site, the towers in laurel village were built in 89 and 91. has this retail stood empty since then? or was there a mass exodus of tenants at some point?

[Sirus]

so i just moved to minneapolis and i live in laurel village. i'm a bit confused. there's all this empty retail space there. it looks as if it was just built and are momentarily having trouble finding tenants because of the credit crunch. but according to this site, the towers in laurel village were built in 89 and 91. has this retail stood empty since then? or was there a mass exodus of tenants at some point?

In the time I've lived in Minneapolis I've only known about stores leaving Laurel Village. I couldn't tell you the reason behind it or if it was ever full in the first place.

[Dale]

Anything new to report ?

[Nordeast Homer]

Anything new to report ?

We're still waiting to hear about a new proposal for an area just southeast of the new Twins stadium. It is supposed to be a very large development and will encompass 2-3 city blocks. They said that there should be an announcement this month. My guess is that this will be a development that will be in stages over several years if not a decade.
The development area includes the block directly south of the Orpheum Theater and the block that housed the Ramada Inn and possibly one more block, but I'm not sure about that one.
The main player is Alatus Partners.

[Dale]

Thanks!

And I would imagine that we should be hearing something on the redesigned Nicolett shortly ?

[NehemiahNesheim]

what about the Foshay tower renovations?

[NehemiahNesheim]

http://www.da-man.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/20071009_121808_option_a.jpg
*Image from:http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.da-man.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/20071009_121808_option_a.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.da-man.com/blog/category/mass-transit/&h=295&w=450&sz=26&hl=en&start=4&um=1&tbnid=KOfBls7T5K_CDM:&tbnh=83&tbnw=127&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dnew%2B35w%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN*

Does any one like the bland(not a typo for brand) new 35w bridge design?I heard its supposed to carry the future light rail.

[Avian001]

what about the Foshay tower renovations?

You can see an audio slideshow here by the StarTribune. (http://www.startribune.com/slideshows/15669357.html) The W Hotel (http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/explore/world/index.html)is opening in June. The 32nd floor observation deck will still be open to the public. A new museum about the unusual tower will be up there as well.

[Avian001]

BTW, this is the historic Foshay Tower, now being converted to a W Hotel. It's a 1929 obelisk that was for decades the 2nd tallest building west of Chicago.

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/3738/foshay01zx2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

The Soo Line Building in Minneapolis (ornate white building in center left) is also being gutted for conversion to yet another hotel:

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/7973/mplsdowntown01ls0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[NehemiahNesheim]

http://www.workdayminnesota.org/upload/editor/Image/2007/March/0321mall.gif
*image from:http://www.workdayminnesota.org/upload/editor/Image/2007/March/0321mall.gif*
Does any one know when they are gonna build the Mall of America Phase II expansion?

[ajfroggie]

Does any one like the bland(not a typo for brand) new 35w bridge design?I heard its supposed to carry the future light rail.

I, for one, like it. It complements, rather than contrasts against, the nearby 10th Ave Bridge. Plus, in an area with a lot of whiz-bang building construction, not to mention already-existing signature bridges upriver, I feel this is a case of "simple is good".

BTW, it's being built to accommodate light rail in the future. No planned LRT routes will actually use the bridge.

[Avian001]

http://www.workdayminnesota.org/upload/editor/Image/2007/March/0321mall.gif
*image from:http://www.workdayminnesota.org/upload/editor/Image/2007/March/0321mall.gif*
Does any one know when they are gonna build the Mall of America Phase II expansion?

The $1.8 billion expansion of the Mall of America got a boost last week when the Minnesota legislature allowed the city of Bloomington to use local tax breaks for a parking ramp and other infrastructure improvements.

The mall will add 5.6 million square feet to the existing 4.2 million, connect with an existing IKEA and bring the total number of stores to nearly 900.

The mall's revamped 7-acre indoor amusement park, Nickelodeon Universe (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickelodeon_Universe), had it's grand opening a couple of weeks ago.

(Interesting fun fact: The Mall of America is unheated, except for the entry vestibules. People and lighting generate enough heat to keep it warm in the winter.)

[mhays]

I love a lot of things about Downtown Minneapolis including Foshay Tower. But, Avian001, it's nowhere near the height of Smith Tower in Seattle, a 465' building completed in 1914. Unless the antenna is counted.

[WonderlandPark]

Why doesn't the TC crowd ever update here? Outside of the last couple of posts, there has been zilch here since Feb.

[Avian001]

I love a lot of things about Downtown Minneapolis including Foshay Tower. But, Avian001, it's nowhere near the height of Smith Tower in Seattle, a 465' building completed in 1914. Unless the antenna is counted.

You're right. The Foshay is 447' not counting the mast. I've corrected that.:) The claim probably originated because the radio mast was added fairly early, bringing the Foshay Tower's total height to 607 feet.

@WonderlandPark - The Minneapolis/St.Paul crowd visits here sometimes. Most of them participate in a very active forum called Minnescraper (http://www.minnescraper.com/forum/), with about 400 or so registered members. I'll post a general update soon. There are quite a few smallish to medium projects, with several large ones in the works.

[Avian001]

Here are some general updates of a few projects in Minneapolis.

Minnesota Twins Stadium

The northern plaza:

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/1730/constrtwinsstadium02dk7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

The northern plaza, looking back toward Target Center:

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/3444/constrtwinsstadium04am1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

The south and north plazas, crossing I-394:

http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/7702/constrtwinsstadium05ey6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

The field and stands:

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/8871/constrtwinsstadium06rx2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/6443/constrtwinsstadium03sk9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

University of Minnesota's Gopher Football Stadium (aka TCF Bank Stadium). Steelwork rising:

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/7773/constrtcfstadium00kh2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/8472/constrtcfstadium01pv3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Masonry work begins on the colonnade:

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/8256/constrtcfstadium02ae9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Zenith Condominiums (Phase I) rising next to the Guthrie Theater, on Gold Medal Park:

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/2208/constrzenith01xr5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

View from Washington Avenue, showing the Aloft Hotel portion, with the newly completed Bridgewater condos in the background:

http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/4269/constrzenith02ca3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Also on Gold Medal Park, near the Zenith, is this new project. A high-end apartment building called the Marmont:

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/7295/marmontrender011oa1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Phoenix on the River Condominiums (16 story luxury building):

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/1254/constrphoenix01qg5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/9831/constrphoenix04le9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

View from the Guthrie Theater's cantilevered Endless Bridge:

http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/2874/constrphoenix03cl7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Eitel City Apartments. A great infill project on Loring Park downtown, and includes conversion of the old hospital building (right).
A 39-story tower is slated for phase II of this project:

http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/6321/constreitel01ip9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/6104/constreitel02om8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Renderings of Phase II:

http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/4518/eiteltowerrenderingsjr8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


35W Bridge. This is replacing the one that collapsed last August:

http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/5300/constr35wbridge01fo7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/6044/constr35wbridge02gw9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/4233/constr35wbridge03zy7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

View from a parking ramp of the new Ivy Hotel + Residences (http://www.ivympls.com/index_fl.html)in downtown Minneapolis, still under construction. Photo by forumer MidwestProduct from the forum Minnescraper (http://www.minnescraper.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=1). This is the 10th Starwood Luxury Collection hotel in North America, and only the 2nd urban location for this brand (San Francisco's Palace Hotel (http://www.starwoodhotels.com/luxury/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=373)was the first).

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/9835/ivymplsnight01nx5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[CHAPINM1]

Avian, I can't thank you enough for your last post. It definetly brings the thread back to life, well lets hope. Anyway, that shot of the IVY is stunning!

[CHAPINM1]

From the Downtown Journal

Hines marketing next downtown skyscraper

Hines Interests (http://twincities.bizjournals.com/twincities/related_content.html?topic=Hines%20Interests) has gained control of a parking lot in downtown Minneapolis where it hopes to develop a 1 million-square-foot office tower that could rival the c
city's tallest buildings.
Houston-based Hines has reached an agreement with The 614 Co. (http://twincities.bizjournals.com/twincities/related_content.html?topic=The%20614%20Co) of Minneapolis, a small family-owned real estate company, to jointly pursue a development project on a half-block site along Marquette between Ninth and Tenth Streets South.
The project could potentially affect the Schmitt Music (http://twincities.bizjournals.com/twincities/related_content.html?topic=Schmitt%20Music) Building, or its famous exterior, which features a block-long mural of complicated piano music.
Hines is "rolling up its sleeves" and going "full speed" designing and marketing the tower, which would rise between 50 and 60 stories, said Bill Chopp, senior vice president - operations and head of Hines' Minneapolis office. The tallest building in downtown Minneapolis today is 225 South Sixth, which has 53 floors of leasable space, not including the mechanical systems or the distinctive halo atop the building.

[Dream'n]

From the Downtown Journal

Hines marketing next downtown skyscraper

Hines Interests (http://twincities.bizjournals.com/twincities/related_content.html?topic=Hines%20Interests) has gained control of a parking lot in downtown Minneapolis where it hopes to develop a 1 million-square-foot office tower that could rival the c
city's tallest buildings.
Houston-based Hines has reached an agreement with The 614 Co. (http://twincities.bizjournals.com/twincities/related_content.html?topic=The%20614%20Co) of Minneapolis, a small family-owned real estate company, to jointly pursue a development project on a half-block site along Marquette between Ninth and Tenth Streets South.
The project could potentially affect the Schmitt Music (http://twincities.bizjournals.com/twincities/related_content.html?topic=Schmitt%20Music) Building, or its famous exterior, which features a block-long mural of complicated piano music.
Hines is "rolling up its sleeves" and going "full speed" designing and marketing the tower, which would rise between 50 and 60 stories, said Bill Chopp, senior vice president - operations and head of Hines' Minneapolis office. The tallest building in downtown Minneapolis today is 225 South Sixth, which has 53 floors of leasable space, not including the mechanical systems or the distinctive halo atop the building.

Technically it's the twincities biz journal not the downtown journal.

This is more good news on recent speculation of a new tower perhaps a new tallest for Minneapolis. With two or three speculations by various developers currently happening this bodes well for something relatively soon.

[matthew2109]

thanks for all the pics

[austex]

Any new pics on whats going up in Minneapolis?

[newstl2020]

St. Louis raised, Cincinnati schooled and now possibly a minneapolis resident come next year. Anyone heard anything about the possible Hines tower in the article above? Any news on the Nicollette or is that one pretty much dead? Thanks in advance.

[HiddenMouse]

The Nicollet is completely dead in its current form, and nothing new has come out of the woodwork about Hines' project. Check out Minnescraper (http://www.minnescraper.com) for advice on moving to Minneapolis; lots of people with a lot of knowledge about the city.

Regarding Bob Lux's 10th and Hennepin project: THIS (http://www.humphreys.com/project.aspx?projectID=98) is apparently what's replacing the old Ramada Inn.

[Avian001]

Here are some very nice pics (as usual!) by forumer MidwestProduct at Minnescraper.com. (http://www.minnescraper.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=247&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=2040)

The main entrance plaza:

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/8821/mpballpark061409r.jpg (http://img150.imageshack.us/i/mpballpark061409r.jpg/)

The entry plaza includes 40-foot topiary frames that look like baseball bats, which will eventually be vine-covered. The parking ramp wall to the right will be covered by a kinetic wind sculpture:

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/6051/mpballpark061409q.jpg (http://img199.imageshack.us/i/mpballpark061409q.jpg/)

The main lighting bank is recessed into the flying canopy:

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/1790/mpballpark061409m.jpg (http://img199.imageshack.us/i/mpballpark061409m.jpg/)

At the northern corner is the multi-modal transit station that includes stops for the Light Rail, Commuter Rail, Bus and a connection to the city's extensive commuter Biking trails:

http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/8002/mpballpark061409g.jpg (http://img25.imageshack.us/i/mpballpark061409g.jpg/)

The facade is nearing completion on the west side:

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/9561/mpballpark061409d.jpg (http://img23.imageshack.us/i/mpballpark061409d.jpg/)

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/6081/mpballpark061409e.jpg (http://img401.imageshack.us/i/mpballpark061409e.jpg/)

View inside the bowl:

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/268/mpballpark061409n.jpg (http://img196.imageshack.us/i/mpballpark061409n.jpg/)

[mahanakorn]

Great looking stadium! I really like the 'flying canopy'. What is the material with which the exterior is faced? Flagstone? I've never seen stone used on a modern stadium.

[jbraski]

Thanks Avian001 for the pictures of the stadium updates. Being up here in Northern MN, I don't get down to the cities too often to see the changes in Minneapolis. It should be exciting to see the final outcome! Keep up the good work.

[CHAPINM1]

Thanks Avian001 for the pictures of the stadium updates. Being up here in Northern MN, I don't get down to the cities too often to see the changes in Minneapolis. It should be exciting to see the final outcome! Keep up the good work.

You aren't missing a whole hell of a lot believe me, infact besides the stadium, it's a joke. In fact, this particular issue should be in general developments. Anyway, they are great pictures on behalf of Avian.

[austex]

:banana: Great Photos! I am always impressed by what I see coming out of Minneapolis. Keep the photos coming.

[AstrosFreak]

That stadium is gorgeous. I guess I'll have to come up and see a game there when it opens!

[PA Pride]

Holy scheisse, that is the coolest looking stadium in this country.

[Thymant]

^^^ I agree!

[UrbaniDesDev]

Outstanding stadium
Best in the country!

Have you seen this thread of amazing photos by a Pittsburgh photographer?
Check it out

http://metroscenes.com/cities/minneapolis/

[Okstate]

Avian- I don't like that I'm not contributing to this thread but why did you say the IVY Hotel was 1 of 10 starwood luxury hotels in North America & 1 of 2 urban locales? Both of those statements are very far from the truth. I'm just wondering if I misunderstood how you wrote it...?

[MINNEAPOLIS-uptown]

does anyone know exactly where eitel phase 2 is gonna be built? there really doesnt seem to be any space in the area unless they knock down that strip mall and gas station right behind phase 1. is that where it is planned to go?

[Avian001]

Ground has been broken on the addition to Frank Gehry's Weisman Art Museum (http://www1.umn.edu/news/news-releases/2009/UR_CONTENT_133392.html) on the U of M campus in Minneapolis.

The addition, also designed by Gehry, will add 5 new exhibition spaces.

The new north facade:
http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/2011/weismanaddition01.jpg (http://img16.imageshack.us/i/weismanaddition01.jpg/)

The existing west facade:

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/9906/weismanmuseum01q.jpg (http://img301.imageshack.us/i/weismanmuseum01q.jpg/) http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/weismanmuseum01q.jpg/1/w800.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img301/weismanmuseum01q.jpg/1/)

[Avian001]

Avian- I don't like that I'm not contributing to this thread but why did you say the IVY Hotel was 1 of 10 starwood luxury hotels in North America & 1 of 2 urban locales? Both of those statements are very far from the truth. I'm just wondering if I misunderstood how you wrote it...?

At the time (March 2008) that was true. Starwood has added several more in North America since then and now there are 19. And to clarify, it's the specific Luxury Collection (http://www.starwoodhotels.com/luxury/directory/hotels/all/list.html?sortType=region) brand, not a "luxury" hotel.