Imagine a time when downtown St. Paul was experiencing an economic drought. That’s the story of the Minnesota Building. It represents a turning point in the history of downtown St. Paul. It also marks a shift in the architectural landscape of the Twin Cities.
Let’s step back to the early 20th century. St. Paul’s business and government leaders were trying to define a downtown area. Business was divided between Lowertown and the office buildings to the north. They focused on creating a new business district known as the “business loop”.
The area was encompassed by Kellogg Boulevard, Wacouta Street, Twelfth Street, and Main Street. New construction was desired but, except for the Hotel Lowry, there was little. From 1919 to 1929, no multistory buildings went up in downtown St. Paul.
Then, in 1928, developers bought the Minnesota Club building. They razed it to make way for something new. They commissioned Charles Hausler to design a new office building. Hausler had apprenticed with Louis Sullivan. He had also served as St. Paul’s city architect.
Construction on the Minnesota Building began in June 1929. It moved forward smoothly. By October 1929, it was dedicated at a cost of $950,000. On November 12, 450 people celebrated its completion at an open house. The Minnesota Building ended a decade-long construction drought. It was the first in a series of buildings to be built in the business loop. The Minnesota Building housed upscale offices. It gave companies a prestigious address.
The Minnesota Building was an architectural first for the Twin Cities. Before that, buildings followed traditional styles. Beaux-Arts, classical, or neoclassical styles were the norm. The Minnesota Building was the first art-deco-style and modern building. It reinvented business architecture in the Twin Cities. Other art-deco buildings soon followed.
Look at the exterior. It emphasizes geometric forms and symmetry. The pedestrian level features tile and terracotta stone work. Large display windows flank the main entrances. Above the entrance, there’s a stone medallion of Minnesota. Stylized eagles guard it. The secondary facades display “MINNESOTA BLDG” between the twelfth and thirteenth floors. Inside, you would have found bright terrazzo floors and marble walls. Geometric plaster work and bronze lamps completed the look.
Throughout the 20th century, the Minnesota Building served as an office building and business center. But times changed. By 2006, the building was vacant. It was renovated into a housing complex through public investment. Some apartments were set aside for chronically homeless people. On February 24, 2011, it was rededicated by St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman. It provided affordable housing for working-class residents. Business space remained on the ground level.
The Minnesota Building has been altered slightly. The thirteenth floor was added early on. But the exterior and public spaces of the interior are well preserved. In 2009, the Minnesota Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The Minnesota Building stands as a reminder of a pivotal time in St. Paul’s history. It showcases a transition in architectural style.