urbanMSP

That is brutal. Doesn't St Paul have requirements for ground level windows?

I almost think that the curtain wall order for those openings was delayed, so this is a temporary solution for the winter months. This can't be the finished product. It looked better when abandoned.

I was actually kind of hopeful, because on the side of the building they were replacing windows like this:



with windows like this:



Sorry for the quality of the photos.

I almost think that the curtain wall order for those openings was delayed, so this is a temporary solution for the winter months.

I hope so. I like how some of the windows are centered, and other are not.

The structure wrapping around the Aurora Avenue and Western Avenue sides of this block appears to be occupied. Here's a pretty full parking lot. Pretty bland from this angle, but it won't be as obvious once something goes up along the University Avenue frontage.


_mg_0392 by Michael Hicks, on Flickr

Not very exciting on the corner at Aurora and Virginia Street, but there are alternating colors along most of the Aurora Avenue side:


_mg_0393 by Michael Hicks, on Flickr


_mg_0394 by Michael Hicks, on Flickr

Pretty plain again on the Western Avenue side and just at the corner along Aurora. Could use a decent cornice:


_mg_0395 by Michael Hicks, on Flickr

I noticed one window on the Western Avenue side had been knocked out by something. Boarded up on the inside awaiting repair:


_mg_0396 by Michael Hicks, on Flickr

Building entrance on the Western Avenue side:


_mg_0397 by Michael Hicks, on Flickr

They're in the process of putting in the windows. I believe the right most window is the final look...

PHEW!

They've added a new building next to the original building on University Avenue.

Yikes they totally Sabri'd a great gem and opportunity for place making.

Coming soon to the new building: Heritage Tea House Boutique. Their online presence is a mess, but it looks like they'll offer tea, coffee, soul food, and "African heritage" goods. They've also applied for an on-sale liquor license, apparently for wine.

edit: Didn't connect the dots at first, but the owner/manager/etc. is Raeisha Williams, who ran for Minneapolis City Council in Ward 5. She has a video on her Facebook page talking about it.