urbanMSP

What about a mod that auto-summarizes selected users posts?

What a stupid looking building!

Where are all these vacant spots? Nicollet Mall between 7th and 12th is pretty damn healthy. And while I don't really like it's interaction with the street I'm not saying US Bancorp Center is some abomination. My point was regarding the feasibility of adding retail in the future.

Hmm... every time I pass it I think it's such an unnecessary dead zone. Across the street is way better.

And yes, looking at the plans, it doesn't look overly difficult.

There's nothing magical about building retail space. There's nothing to say that in five years, they couldn't convert some portion of the conference rooms on the first floor into retail space. I'd rather see an active office use than vacant retail. OK. But sometimes the cost of the retrofit would m...

Do we really think that the problem with downtown retail is that there aren't enough vacant retail spaces? Agreed. Shouldnt we concentrate on filling all the current retail before adding more? This seems pretty shortsighted when we are talking about new construction which could be around for 100+ y...

He may be being straight forward here, but I wouldn't necessarily take Brad Goering's word at face value. According to him Phase II was breaking ground Summer 2009. What he is saying is true, however. There is very little inventory.

it looks a little stunted in that rendering...stubby. i guess I'm fine with anything over 20 floors.

Unfortunately, I agree.

Looked a lot better with 33 stories.

Guest suites are furnished apartments for overnight stays.

"Luxury" might be played out but it's all relative. It's a pretty apt description of this building in this market. Or would you prefer they just call it "expensive"?

Now remember everyone, you are on the Internet, so remember to take things personally for no reason and TYPE IN ALL CAPS about how angry you are.

Hmm... is this preemptive? I don't see anyone taking things personally and typing in all caps. Yet.

I never said that commuting was the only factor. When did I EVER state that? I think you conjured that up on your own! I simply used that as an example, probably because I was referencing cities like NYC of SF where people would be commuting for hours if they didn't live IN the city. No. But you ha...

Distance to work is not the only factor. Some people want to be in the heart of it. Walkable to work, restaurants, shopping, etc. They like the urban environment. To think if people weren't buying a condo in the mill district they'd be buying (or even looking at) a home in Stevens Square or St. Ant...

Logically it is. But like you said some people have an attachment to the idea of home ownership. Which I think stems from REALTORS® and their marketing. There are times when owning a condo can be a better economic decision than renting an apartment and vice versa. There are many investments classes...

Distance to work is not the only factor. Some people want to be in the heart of it. Walkable to work, restaurants, shopping, etc. They like the urban environment. To think if people weren't buying a condo in the mill district they'd be buying (or even looking at) a home in Stevens Square or St. Anth...

Mortgage Interest Deduction is a regressive tax deduction. The more expensive the home you buy the larger the tax break. I think most people take into account tax implications when making major financial decisions. Yes, I get it. You really think this is the only reason people choose a condo over a...

I guess I'm speaking specifically for downtown here. I've lived in 4 downtown apartment buildings and one condo. Night and day difference. Quite different demographics, as well. I think there is a pretty decent subset of people who would have little interest renting downtown but would want to purcha...

You said you can't have "community" with just renters. And I'm not able to read that statement in any way other than that you're saying that renters are a bunch of hoodlums who storm into the community for a year and then storm out and never leave a lasting impact on the community. What i...

I don't mind the multi-colored panels but the pale pink siding with the brutalist stone/concrete look makes it look exceptionally outdated and run-down, IMO.

Those panels have been repainted.

Well, you'd be smack dab in the middle of the central business district so, even for downtown, it's probably one of the least kid friendly locations. To answer your questions, it's about a mile away from playgrounds on W River Parkway and Elliot park, as well as Gold Medal and Loring Parks. If your ...

Just finished repainting the exterior panels a couple weeks ago. Such an enormous improvement. Not sure the status of the rest of the renovation but I assume there is still a good deal left to do.