urbanMSP

I was in Gaviidae today and the skyway level is looking pretty full retail wise (comparatively). Bravo!

Look at these other development projects proposed or under construction in the area, according to this analysis (some of them are noted here on urbanmsp.com, others are not): **I highlighted all of the proposed development that's within the Normandale Lakes quadrant of this micro-region. Developmen...

Okay, The Luxembourg has been under construction since AT LEAST July of 2010. That is when I first noticed work being done. Is it really going to take them over 4 years to finish that thing? What the hell?

Cancer Survivors Park is too far north on the mall to get enough traffic to become a lively plaza. I don't think its the stairs that deter people, rather the half mile or so disconnection between its self and the CBD, and the expanse of surface parking lots that surround it. In the Spring and Summe...

My only issue with Pillsbury Center is that the lack of retail/restaurant on the exterior street levels makes the open space look baron, not urban. Pop a food/coffee cart or 2 out there and they might be in business. Cancer Survivors Park is too far north on the mall to get enough traffic to become ...

I'm *really* not convinced that courtyard plazas have any sort of advantage over plazas that surround buildings. The problem in this area is the sheer number and size of the plazas relative to the number of pedestrians around, not to mention curb cuts and the monotony of land usage here. A well-des...

Something now related to the parking ramp I hope they somehow incorporate the Vikings purple and gold into ramp. Such as flood lights with a screen or fancy LED's. Agree to disagree on that one. It would probably end up looking pretty gaudy/tacky IMO. Not to mention, If the Radisson Red deal materi...

Here's a thought. Make the building footprint U-Shaped (think Rockefeller Plaza). The office could be in a tower, while the apartments could be in two mid-rise buildings on either side (or vice versa?). That would create a great euro-style courtyard area that could have an iconic centerpiece (founta...

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I'm predicting on top of this ramp, 12 stories hotel, additional 12 for condos, another 12 mixed office for a total of 36 floors on top of the ramp. Then, like always, it's reduced to a mere 16 story complex on top of the ramp.

I can deny it no longer. The Nic is kind of ugly. It reminds me of the Ebeneezer senior-housing tower in the Phillips neighborhood. If only the LPM Apartments were built on The Nic site instead. Other things the Nic on 5th looks like: -A Breadbasket Cell Phone -A Vending Machine -A Hotel Room Miniba...

Can we all just step back and think about if Arden Hills would have got the stadium? I know Wilf wanted to develop DE regardless, but it wouldn't have been like this. Downtown Stadium detractors can officially feel stupid now.

I don't think it'll be a Lasalle court. Lol

Who said anything about LaSalle Court?

Forgive me for sounding dense, but aren't all skyways public? I can't say I've walked every mile of the skyway system, but I have traversed it quite a bit over the years and I do not ever remember a skyway that was not accessible to all during normal business hours. Fill me in here? Examples of a pr...

Mortenson's proposal is 10 floors (including the ramp)...don't ask me how, but I just know.

If that true then we really would be in for another Highland Bank Court/Residence Inn situation...

https://i.imgflip.com/bm8k.jpg The El Paso Taco girl sums up the current development duel well. If they keep the hotel combo on the bottom levels and the apartments on top, we could have a new iconic super-tall that would easily end up being the premier address in downtown Minneapolis. Take a page ...

at the Nicollet mall meeting tonight the designer said they'd been in touch with the owners of city center who have said that they want the new city center to be very glassy and orient to the corners with retail, and the designer said they are going to try to get Macy's, the Crystal court, and gavi...

It all sounds "okay" in theory, but I am struggling to see the feasibility in this. The ice rink idea is just plain stupid, the new exterior entrances for the retail centers are no brainers, and from what I understand the sidewalks are going to be drastically reduced in width. And then to ...

Hopefully the parking component wont be too obnoxious. I wonder how the people who will have north facing views at the Nic on 5th are going to feel about this? Presumably, a tower would block any view one might have of Cancer Survivors Park, the Hennepin Ave. Bridge, or the River (that might be a bi...

Throwing this out there (relates to skyway/street pedestrian traffic dilemma); what about embracing winter along the Mall with skating lanes either converted from spring/summer/fall bike lanes or beginning at the Depot and being able to stop at vendors/cafes or get a skate-through-window beverage? ...