urbanMSP

I'm excited for this project but I would love to hear some reasons why this won't end up like Block E.

I'm excited for this project but I would love to hear some reasons why this won't end up like Block E.

If it replicates the chain restaurant experience of Block E, it will likely suffer the same fate. If it replicates a food hall like LA's Grand Central Market (mix of small vendors, common seating) or even Atlanta's Krog Street Market, however, it would likely succeed. It also benefits from the superior site & building; Block E had all the charm of a Best Buy.

Right. What this reminds me more of, actually, is Atlanta's Ponce City Market. We've seen time and again that a replica of a suburban mall, but downtown, doesn't work, but with a good food hall and a couple, (or even one), destination retailers, I think it'll do just fine.

Now, is Mid-America, architect of such retail successes as the Nicollet Walgreen's sitting empty for two years and the Ren Square space sitting vacant for like, 5 years now, the right group to do it? That's the big question for me.

I'm wondering how this will impact City-Center nearby? I could see it potentially being complementary, or a detriment. Maybe with more people living Downtown and the potential of the Southwest LRT this might have more of a chance over Block E?

My dream would be that the owners of City Center would feel pressured to either open up their ugly building or just tear down the Nicollet Mall facing part to develop into a new tower.

the Ren Square space sitting vacant for like, 5 years now

Oh, longer than that.

I'm wondering how this will impact City-Center nearby? I could see it potentially being complementary, or a detriment. Maybe with more people living Downtown and the potential of the Southwest LRT this might have more of a chance over Block E?

If it's successful, it will be good for City Center. These things are complementary, not competitive.

That said, I'm with those who want to be optimistic but see the danger.

the Ren Square space sitting vacant for like, 5 years now

Oh, longer than that.

Actually, on that note, walked by this morning and saw that there are no longer 'for lease' posters on the windows, and was no longer able to find it on MidAmerica's website. No cause for celebration yet, but... something may be happening there.

https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/ ... anies.html

Dayton’s redevelopment bets Minneapolis companies want massive office floor plates (Gallery) [locked]

Window seats won’t be easy to come by in the former Macy's building when the new owner finishes a $191 million renovation that will add several floors of office space.

$191 million?!?!? Did we know that was the budget? On that note alone, I expect this to succeed. You don't spend a 1/4 billion dollars and not make it work.

https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/ ... anies.html

Dayton’s redevelopment bets Minneapolis companies want massive office floor plates (Gallery) [locked]

Window seats won’t be easy to come by in the former Macy's building when the new owner finishes a $191 million renovation that will add several floors of office space.

$191 million?!?!? Did we know that was the budget? On that note alone, I expect this to succeed. You don't spend a 1/4 billion dollars and not make it work.

WOW! That is alot of money. How could they have anything but success? It's not possible.. I agree it can't possibly fail. Glad we don't have to worry about this block anymore.

$150 million in 2000 = $219 million in 2017. How could they fail indeed.

$150 million in 2000 = $219 million in 2017. How could they fail indeed.

I mean but they built the entire structure, hotel, and parking garage... this building exists already.

Not that I think money is what is going to make it successful or not.

My point is largely that the amount of money spent doesn't guarantee success.

I know money doesn't guarantee success, I was just getting at the point that when spending $250,000,000 on an investment, you do more than the minimum and don't rely on a hope and a prayer.

Star Tribune reports that the Super Bowl Host Committee is moving to the ground floor of Dayton's. (We can call it Dayton's again right?)

I'm hearing that a major retailer that has a presence in Uptown may be close to signing on or already has.. That's all I can really add at the moment, I know it's not much...

I assume you mean Apple, because I can't imagine anyone getting overly excited about an H&M or Victoria's Secret here.

Ragstock?!

It's Penzey's. Finally the 5 story spice buying experience I've been dreaming of.

Oh man. It's the NORTH. So NORTH. FACE.