urbanMSP

I work on the same floor as the construction management crew in the Pence building. The skyway level in the building has been completed for a couple weeks, the connecting skyway looks like it has been finished this week. The connecting skyway renovating was done by a different contractor than mortenson. They also told us that the skyway would not open until the hotel has occupancy. That begins on Monday, but then again we were also told the 13th for the skyway opening.

While it may not be the prettiest building (especially in the sunlight), the street level is nice. The lights help, the trees help, and the large windows help (main level looks nicely decorated). This building fits nicely on the corner and works well in this location. All in all, I'm pleased with what was built. It is certainly better than the rundown parking lot, and the crumbling sidewalk we had there before.

The first two levels look fine. But after that it looks rather shoddy. Up close you can see it was a cheap paint job in an attempt to cover up the poor quality of the window fenestration and hardie board. If they would have just spent a little more money and carried through the base to the upper levels it could have been quite attractive.

yea, I didn't even notice that. Now I understand they um... unique color design above the 2nd level. Also considering the 3rd level is set back a touch I think most people won't notice the top to much. Seems like a good business invest funding heavily on the bottom level and let the top go bear bones. I think the city dropped the ball in allowing that unique pain scheme, yet it looks like it was done to blend in with the neighboring building. A well thought out cheap and distasteful design from 3rd floor up. I would almost considering the term eyesore. Maybe the flags like Daboink says will tie it together and it will suddenly be a fabulous design!

As long as the Best Western Plus Normandy Inn & Suites continues to grace downtown, any nearby hotel - no matter how shoddy - seems like an architectural masterpiece to me.

As long as the Best Western Plus Normandy Inn & Suites continues to grace downtown, any nearby hotel - no matter how shoddy - seems like an architectural masterpiece to me.

I couldn't recall that building, so I had to look it up; I had never seen it, but now I'll never forget it. I actually loled when I saw it. I almost think its charming in a "it's so cheesy I feel sorry for it" kind of way. But, I hate that stupid Centre Village Hyatt hotel across the street from it more. The brick facing on it looks alright up close and in isolation, but the parking podium and the shape of the building, and the godawful design of the windows makes me want to avert my eyes every time I see it, and yet it is one of the most visible buildings from most of downtown east. At least this Hampton blends in to its surroundings a bit.

^Both of those buildings are very high on my list of ugliest buildings in Downtown Minneapolis...

As long as the Best Western Plus Normandy Inn & Suites continues to grace downtown, any nearby hotel - no matter how shoddy - seems like an architectural masterpiece to me.

You don't like beautiful Bemidji resort in MPLS!!

Skyway is open again.

And it's amazing! It gets all the peds off the street and makes the walk from the ramp to the office half the time.

And it's amazing! It gets all the peds off the street and makes the walk from the ramp to the office half the time.

Yay?

In the case of this section, yes.

Grade separation... I love it!

Also, Hotel sold for $39M

http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/b ... llion.html

Open for a few days.

Hampton Inn and Suites 4-16-15 by bapster2006, on Flickr

Terrible sign.

Something about that logo does stick out...hard to put my finger on it exactly. Very 1997.

Also, the building actually looks pretty nice lit up at night.

They need some re branding. Thats been their sign for such a long time

They need some re branding. Thats been their sign for such a long time

I'm sure they'd say it's "iconic."

It looks fine on the first level.

I'm not going to say it's my favorite font, but is it really that bad? It could be Comic Sans, after all.

Actually looks pretty decent to me. I like Hampton Inns too...Used to work for Hilton, and if I couldn't get an Embassy Suites or Homewood for employee rate, Hamptons were always my 3rd choice... 29 bucks for the emp rate and always decent with a little free breakfast:)

Plus, Hampton Inns have Otis Spunkmeier cookies! They're so good (same cookies that Subway sells)!! Sadly this is how I choose hotels when I travel and need a hotel...