urbanMSP

I'm not sure why you quoted me Lance. I clearly said I didn't hate it, that it was a good infill in our market and that the design was ok for that. All the things you then tried to qualify. If you're really upset about a group of people always striving for better rather than budgeted mediocrity though... you're going to face some opposition. It's only in the past few decades that such has been built in our downtown.

Meh, could they at least come up with a new color scheme?

I had expected a little bit more...

The Lumber Exchange deserves a better neighbor.

A decent infill project I guess.

I don't love it, I don't hate it... it'll do.

I don't hate this either I think it'll fill a good place in our hotel market and the design isn't terrible.

Reminds me too much of the Hampton Inn. Can't we have some variety?

...but it looks harsh next to the Lumber Exchange.

I was excited when i saw this news but the rendering is disappointing. I wish money was no object and the architects could dream. we're deserving of a grand hotel similar to the JW Marriott in Indianapolis.

As for the hotel itself... meh.

Wow, a ten story dud.

I'd rather not see it developed if getting this is the answer. Holy Ugh is this building hideous.

This insincere nod to context is more painful than doing nothing at all. The lack of height relationships to the Lumber Exchange is a big problem...

...is it just me or is the New trend in Urban planning to instantly hate everything, complain about any budgeted design, and ridicule any project developer's vision unless they design a building that spare no expense as they ignore everything they learned in businesses.

I think the height does a great job at leaving view of the exposed brick on the Lumber Exchange, allowing for people to appreciate the look of the older building (which so many fuss about when we tear them down). Plus the height won't tower over the 90's (like LPM towers over Jungle Red) Plus it will fill an empty parking lot and will block the view of the older parking ramp. This project will greatly improve Hennepin Ave. Plus add some hotel rooms right on the "Hennepin Strip".

I don't think most of you are true urbanists, but instead architecturalist seeking designs over function and reality. This building will fit into the community well, and fill a hole. Walking downtown barhopping and ending up at a decent hotel will greatly enhance peoples experience downtown. Instead some of you suggest we should reject this project and keep it a parking lot because it is not grand enough and not tall enough? Supply and Demand be dammed! I guess we could build 1,000 ft. tall buildings on every parking lot!

We may look at the Lumber Exchange building right now and think it's a beautiful architectural treasure, but when it was built it was just another brick building.

With ALL those quotes was it once mentioned we needed a 1000 footer here? Negative. Again with all those quotes you apparently think we are all wrong and yet you and maybe a few others are correct. Okay then.

We may look at the Lumber Exchange building right now and think it's a beautiful architectural treasure, but when it was built it was just another brick building.

Going to argue with that. When it was built, it was the tallest building in the city. I guarantee you there was fanfare. Hell, it's the oldest skyscraper of its height on Earth, outside of NYC.

And of course, the building across 4th is a civic institution designed by one of the most prominent living architects. Call me crazy if you want, but I think it's pretty fair to demand better than painted stucco panels for this location.

It's easy to look back now 100 years later and say this is a landmark, this isn't, this should have been, etc etc. But it's not so easy to say while you're building what it's fate is going to be in 100 years.