Loveable Ugly Stuff

[PhilmerPhil]

I felt like a place to share things in the Twin Cities that are traditionally viewed as ugly, yet have some simple beauty within would be a fun topic.

I'll start it with this ugly parking ramp. There's just something about it that I like. The clean, straight lines and the utilitarian 1950 design are striking to me. It's not trying to be anything else, just a straightforward parking ramp. I'll almost go as far as saying that relics of the rise of the automobile era like might need some preservation!

[PhilmerPhil]

By the way, this topic was semi-inspired by this blog: http://www.mplstopography.blogspot.com/

[kirby96]

If you've ever parked in that ramp, you'd think differently! I drive a compact car and I cringe as I maneuver the the right corners and small spots!

Not disputing your premise, but I hate parking in that ramp!

[PhilmerPhil]

Here's another one...

From an urbanist standpoint, there is so much wrong with this one. This wedge has got blank walls, auto-oriented use, and worst of all, it's original facade has been stucco'd over. I'm sure it was a gorgeous building at some point, but I've gotta say, I dig it.



EDIT: Fixed image.

[John]

^^^You would love old rust belt cities like Youngstown, Buffalo, Detroit, and Cleveland. There are lots of examples of this in those places.

[lordmoke]

I might take some flak for this, but since they repainted the paneling, Riverside Plaza has gone from one of my most hated buildings to one of my favorites. It looks so cool now, especially if you're sitting in a West Bank bar and can get a view of it rising up behind the early 20th century buildings. I really hope the new paint holds up well!

[PhilmerPhil]

^^^You would love old rust belt cities like Youngstown, Buffalo, Detroit, and Cleveland. There are lots of examples of this in those places.

I've always wanted to visit a city like that. It might be depressing living in a stagnant place that is dominated with these types of monstrosities, but when they are lightly scattered throughout the city, it really adds character.

[seanrichardryan]

That used to be Viking Electric. It is a cool old building hiding in an unappreciated area. Something great is hiding under there, I'm sure.

[PhilmerPhil]

Speaking of the 9th & LaSalle and 4th & Marquette ramps (in the Xcel thread), According to Hennepin County, these structures were both built in 1950. That predates urban renewal, so these were built at a time when downtown still looked like this:



Is anyone aware of any parking structures in the twin cities that are older than this?

I'll have to disagree that these ramps give the finger to pedestrians. They aren't full block monstrosities--walking a quarter block along one of these ain't too bad. Plus they're open at the ground level, giving passersby something other than a blank wall to stare at. They are scaled appropriately for their environment, their openness feels light and airy, etc. I'd be okay with losing one of the two, but losing both would bum me out.

[Tcmetro]

Anyone know the story behind the ramp at 517 Marquette? The facade is really cool (Egyptian Hieroglyphs and whatnot), but the rest of the building in unfortunately a parking ramp, and I'm wondering how that came to be.

[seanrichardryan]

It's a scalped facade from an egyptian themed bank. It stood between two other small office buildings that were replaced with the ramp.

[tabletop]

Oddly enough the Egyptian themed bank was a Scandinavian bank... Hm. http://www.minnpost.com/stroll/2013/05/ ... tion-theme

[tabletop]

Have to include everyone's favorite watering hole!

http://maps.gstatic.com/m/streetview/?o ... CCcQxB0wAA

[lordmoke]

Lileks to the rescue on the Egyptian building... again:
http://lileks.com/mpls/thorpe/index.html

[nate]

In a similar vein, I've always liked the Victory Ramp on the corner of 4th and Wabasha in St Paul -- it's even got 4 or 5 businesses at street level which helps immeasurably. But even without the businesses, it's kind of got a cool street presence. I like it.

[seanrichardryan]

Philmer mentioned older parking garages- Here is the first purpose built one, long gone of course. The address was 1021 Marquette. It must have seemed quite futuristic in 1907!


http://www.organica.org/pejn3.htm

[mattaudio]

Good to see "automobile storage" predated the term "parking"
!!!

[PhilmerPhil]

Very cool. Thanks for sharing!

[FISHMANPET]

That door looks like it just lifts straight up, like the entrance to some secret lair.

What does it say on the right? The top line looks like restaurant, but I can't figure out the bottom. From the drawings of the facade on the site it looks like repairing and renting.

[mattaudio]

Is that a Healy House to the right? To think we let people demolish homes at 10th/Marquette...