Block E (archive)

[min-chi-cbus]

I went to the Plan-It Hennepin preview at the Central Library the other day and project director said that there is a possible rumor of a possible major tenant for Block E possibly being announced in the next couple months, possibly.

A major tenant for the current space, or a future redeveloped space?

[mattaudio]

Maybe the Strib would move when their building goes away?

[Didier]

I dislike the way some of that article (and many others about Block E) was presented. They make sure to include the "massive city subsidy" part but then neglect to spell out that most of the businesses were forced out by Alatus for the casino. Block E as a whole obviously wasn't an amazing idea and I'm not in the habit of apologizing for the various bundles of money we set ablaze in the 90s, but at least give a little credit where credit is due.

In addition, Borders and GameWorks both went out of business nationally.

[PhilmerPhil]

I went to the Plan-It Hennepin preview at the Central Library the other day and project director said that there is a possible rumor of a possible major tenant for Block E possibly being announced in the next couple months, possibly.

A major tenant for the current space, or a future redeveloped space?

No idea. What he said was very vague and unspecific, and I don't know if it's because he himself didn't know or because he was not supposed to speak on the topic.

[John]

I hope something happens here fairly soon because it has rapidly evolved into a dead zone and vacant eyesore on Hennepin Ave.

[min-chi-cbus]

I hope something happens here fairly soon because it has rapidly evolved into a dead zone and vacant eyesore on Hennepin Ave.

AND an excellent source to score crappy weed (like I'd know)!

[1200onthemall]

I was told by someone who has a “position to know” with the City of Mpls that Hines is considering joining the redevelopment of Block E by adding 2 stories of office and re-facing the entire block.

[min-chi-cbus]

I was told by someone who has a “position to know” with the City of Mpls that Hines is considering joining the redevelopment of Block E by adding 2 stories of office and re-facing the entire block.

Boooooo-ring!

I didn't really care for a casino but honestly that was probably the best fit for this block after all. Other than that, an adult entertainment zone -- like ESPN Zone, Dave & Busters (I know, I know), or any slew of bars, clubs, or other adult-oriented entertainment -- could be cool too, but not only is that super vague but retail downtown is hurting way too much to add another 200K SF to supply!

Guess a boring office space will have to do.....

[web]

espn zones competition was there and closed a few years ago (gameworks) the square block is jinxed and now hard rock too

[John]

I was told by someone who has a “position to know” with the City of Mpls that Hines is considering joining the redevelopment of Block E by adding 2 stories of office and re-facing the entire block.

This is exactly what needs to happen to this block. It's about time a developer creates a sane proposal for this block, rather than some grandiose scheme which will never work in the long term. I cannot imagine the developer will not include some type of entertainment retail located on the street level to enhance the character of Hennepin Ave. I am particularly excited to hear about the possibility of re-facing of the entire block. By default , this can only help make Block E's current horrendous design dramatically improved from an architectural standpoint. I'm crossing my fingers this happens.

[Didier]

On MPR this morning they reported as a fact that Block E is being redeveloped into office space and referenced a developer saying that they were close to announcing a new national tenant. The piece talked about how the wide, open spaces within Block E are ideal for bigger companies, and referenced that several larger law firms are spread between two floors.

Take this for what it is because I'm trying to remember when I heard on the radio about two hours ago.

[Nick]

On MPR this morning they reported as a fact that Block E is being redeveloped into office space and referenced a developer saying that they were close to announcing a new national tenant. The piece talked about how the wide, open spaces within Block E are ideal for bigger companies, and referenced that several larger law firms are spread between two floors.

Take this for what it is because I'm trying to remember when I heard on the radio about two hours ago.

Do you know if the "national tenant" is retail or office?

[Didier]

I took it to mean office, but again I'm not totally comfortable with my report of this report.

[dmdhashw]

They talked about it briefly again on MPR. They seemed to make an inference that it was going to be a law firm, but who knows.

[min-chi-cbus]

They talked about it briefly again on MPR. They seemed to make an inference that it was going to be a law firm, but who knows.

Really hope it's not Dorsey & Whitney, who is also looking to lease new space (or build it) from their current HQ in their 28-story office building on 6th & Nicollet.

[Nick]

There was just some jarringly bad reporting on Fox 9 about the movie theater closing today...

[seanrichardryan]

Ha, just watched that. Bad indeed.

[MotorCity2TwinCities]

What are the chances that another movie theatre pops up somewhere downtown? According to the Strib and other media outlets, AMC theatre left Block E because of a landlord-tenant dispute and that AMC would have liked to stay put. I read this to mean that there still is demand for a movie theatre downtown. Living downtown, it really is a bummer to see this go as it was so convenient to get to with the skyways. Always did seem to be dead in there when I went, though.

[mattaudio]

According to KSTP a few days ago, the St. Anthony Main theater serves downtown residents just fine...

[dmdhashw]

According to KSTP a few days ago, the St. Anthony Main theater serves downtown residents just fine...

If anything, this might give the current owners incentive to do a few upgrades to the theater. Here's hoping for new seats.