Wow. Look at the Lumber Exchange Building. This magnificent structure before us is more than just a building. It’s a testament to Minneapolis’s pioneering spirit. It’s the city’s first skyscraper dating back to 1885. Architects Franklin Long and Frederick Kees designed it in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. They were quite a team. They also designed Minneapolis City Hall and the original Minneapolis Public Library.
The Lumber Exchange Building wasn’t just any high-rise. It was billed as one of the first fireproof buildings in the country. This wasn’t just a boast. In 1891 a fire raged next door. It threatened to consume everything. Yet the Lumber Exchange Building remarkably survived with minimal damage. The upper two floors were completely unscathed. This was due to advanced fireproofing techniques used in their construction. The building served as a case study for fire-safe construction.
The original structure was tall and slender. Later an additional wing was built in 1890. Two more stories were added to the top. The building’s history isn’t just about bricks and mortar though. It’s woven into the fabric of Minneapolis’s story. It once housed offices for lumber distributors. Later it became home to a variety of businesses. A barber shop was here. A bank once operated within its walls. Even the notorious Kid Cann used this barber shop as an alibi during a trial.
The building continued to evolve. It boasts features from around the world. The basement displays marble floors from a Turkish bathhouse. A brass revolving door from New York’s Grand Central Station now graces the Hennepin Avenue entrance. It’s a quirky collection showcasing the building’s rich history. It shows its diverse inhabitants over time.
Today the Lumber Exchange Building stands as a symbol of resilience. It’s the oldest high-rise still standing in Minneapolis. It’s even the oldest twelve-story-plus building outside of New York City. It continues to thrive housing businesses and event spaces. So next time you stroll down Hennepin Avenue remember the stories within these walls. The Lumber Exchange Building is more than just a building. It’s a living monument to Minneapolis’s past present and future.