Downtown Minneapolis Retail News

[John]

It gave me an idea, which I'm sure is far too expensive. The current Gaviidae I and II created a sort of two-block indoor mall parallel to Nicollet Mall (not even including the mall extension known as City Center). Suburbanish downtown malls clearly aren't optimal. What if these malls opened up to Nicollet Mall a little more? Some sort of indoor or outdoor atrium midblock that tied an arc of storefronts to the street using a remodeled version of that five story open court in the middle.

The owners of City Center referred to a concept earlier this year (or last fall ?) that proposed each building at the intersection of 7th and Nicollet be opened up to the street creating a grand central focal point for downtown. Even if these malls did a more modest overhaul so storefronts had large windows with their main entrances on Nicollet would be helpful. Also, I think what happens on the remaining vacant blocks at the north end is critical. The pedestrian realm should be a major focus in the design of these projects.

[spearson]

^^ Both ideas would be wonderful.

The lack of a sidewalk presence is really frustrating with these three main "shopping" hubs. City Center is a brute, and Gaviidae I and II while nice, are mostly blank walls. I hope someday they are renovated to spill their guts to the sidewalk. Retail areas should never feel so empty on the sidewalk as these feel and I don't get why they are still they way they are. Uptown has successfully created nice sidewalk retail, suburbia has created a plethora of new stripmalls. People like a sidewalk entrance, and I fail to understand how Downtown Minneapolis does this so poorly.

[Nathan]

It gave me an idea, which I'm sure is far too expensive. The current Gaviidae I and II created a sort of two-block indoor mall parallel to Nicollet Mall (not even including the mall extension known as City Center). Suburbanish downtown malls clearly aren't optimal. What if these malls opened up to Nicollet Mall a little more? Some sort of indoor or outdoor atrium midblock that tied an arc of storefronts to the street using a remodeled version of that five story open court in the middle.

The owners of City Center referred to a concept earlier this year (or last fall ?) that proposed each building at the intersection of 7th and Nicollet be opened up to the street creating a grand central focal point for downtown. Even if these malls did a more modest overhaul so storefronts had large windows with their main entrances on Nicollet would be helpful. Also, I think what happens on the remaining vacant blocks at the north end is critical. The pedestrian realm should be a major focus in the design of these projects.

it was James Corner Field Operations that suggested it, for the Nicollet Mile and the owners of City Center agreed that they would like to open their property up to the corner.

[Aville_37]

Someone really has to get on mgt. for IDS as well - both Banana and The Gap need to do better window dressing facing Nicollet. Seems half of the windows are now opaque obviously being used for storage.

[writruth]

The Gap and Banana Republic both need to open as stand-alone stores along Nicollet. Add an H&M, a Nike Flagship store and an Apple Store and presto-wammo, we'll have a real retail corridor.

[Aville_37]

The Gap and Banana Republic both need to open as stand-alone stores along Nicollet. Add an H&M, a Nike Flagship store and an Apple Store and presto-wammo, we'll have a real retail corridor.

Me like! Come on - there have to be some retail stores willing to take a chance on moving back downtown!

[Aville_37]

Have it on good authority that the loon fountain and fountain on the ground floor in Gaviidae are going to be removed due to rusty piping. Ugh. Also - I noticed that City Center added a nice new sign at the skyway entrance when you're crossing rom Gaviidae.

[seanrichardryan]

They've been off for well over a year now. The interior of Gaviidae I is one of the most beautiful buildings downtown. I hope they're not gone for good. The level of custom detailing and finishes is still amazing 20 some years later.

[John]

They've been off for well over a year now. The interior of Gaviidae I is one of the most beautiful buildings downtown. I hope they're not gone for good. The level of custom detailing and finishes is still amazing 20 some years later.

It will never be able to be replicated and it is one of Cesar Pelli's best interiors. They need to proceed with great respect and caution with any alterations.

[mattaudio]

They can tone down the mallishness, but I was hoping they could keep some elements like the multi-level fountains.

[Aville_37]

They've been off for well over a year now. The interior of Gaviidae I is one of the most beautiful buildings downtown. I hope they're not gone for good. The level of custom detailing and finishes is still amazing 20 some years later.

It will never be able to be replicated and it is one of Cesar Pelli's best interiors. They need to proceed with great respect and caution with any alterations.

Agree! Rumors are they may also replace the glass brick stairs and floor tiles. Ugh.

[kyl]

We need a Nordstrom and an H&M to draw people downtown. Then, all the other retailers will come.

Unlike Neiman, Nordstrom will do well. Neiman was just too high end and pretentious for Minneapolis; their cheapest pair of shoes could easily cost you $300-400. But the price point for Nordstrom would fit well with the downtown Minneapolis market.

They also need to hire cops to patrol the stores and the skyway, like Whole Foods and Lund's do, so that people can feel safe shopping downtown.

[maxbaby]

Here's some new buildings getting a breath of fresh air.
http://tcbmag.com/News/Recent-News/2014 ... ve-Project
EDIT: Make that old buildings.

[dbaur31]

Biz Journal story about Walgreens possibly replacing Saks Off 5th. These flagship-style Walgreens stores can actually be pretty great. The ones I've been to typically feature a lot of beer and wine, which seems like it might be tricky to do here given our liquor laws. Regardless, I know a lot of folks want Nicollet to have more destination retail but this kind of store will likely be pretty useful both to office types and all the new residents at places like Nic on 5th and Soo Line.

http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/b ... ce-on.html

[crizmois]

Awesome news on the flagship Walgreens. I have been to ones in Chicago and Las Vegas and they are really nice. I have missed the Walgreens on the north side of Nic that closed a number of years ago. This proposed store is close enough to all the new residential on the north and still close to the core downtown. This will really bring fresh energy to the north half of Nic.

[mullen]

i agree. preferable to the saks outlet.

[twincitizen]

Some might bemoan the loss of another traditional retailer downtown, but it's hard for me to be too broken up about this. Clearly Saks wasn't doing well, hence the downgrade to Saks Off Fifth. The writing was on the wall for the downtown location when Saks was announced as the anchor tenant of the new Eagan Outlet Mall.

Without a doubt, the new Walgreens will have more people flowing in and out of its doors than a dying department store. This opens up redevelopment possibilities for the existing Walgreens a few blocks down. Either the building could attract a restaurant/retailer or be torn down for redevelopment. It's a prime spot, so I doubt it will remain vacant for long.

Overall, I view this as a lateral move, at the very least. But that could turn into a huge win with whatever replaces the current Walgreens. Heck, if the new Walgreens has amazing street frontage with more windows and multiple doors, that would be a win in itself.

[mnmike]

I knew they would leave once the new one opened in Eagan. If something is moving in right away and making the space nice, I am okay with it. Still sad to see more retail leave (poorly maintained as it was)...but downtown has been going the way of service oriented retail only for a long time. Oddly enough, I have always heard that Off Fifth did pretty well.

It seems to me that they could do well downtown in a smaller, more typical size store. I have always though that stores like them, Nordstrom Rack, DSW, and such would be a good fit for downtown. Target and Marshalls seem to do well. I wonder what this will mean for the few remaining retailers surrounding. I think this Walgreens could be a pretty big draw like Target is...which could be good. I wonder if Banana and Gap will stick around.

[Aville_37]

Super! The flagship Walgreens are super nice and the company doesn't seem to spare expense on quality design/materials. I've been to several in Chicago - the one on State, in Boystown and one in Wicker Park which was formerly a bank. The current Walgreens on Nicollet is so out-dated. Hopefully they open up the exterior of Gaviidae and include more windows, etc. Just curious about how they are going to approach the interior of the mall.

[Tcmetro]

Walgreen's will be wonderful here, it will certainly attract a lot more foot traffic. It will definitely be a lot nicer than the current store.