Minneapolis & St. Paul Fantasies and Speculations
Re: Minneapolis & St. Paul Fantasies and Speculations
Oh, what the hell.. I was curious about the proportions of the Nic on Fifth if it were a much taller building (an issue that has had much hand-wringing about it, even today). So, here's a quick study.
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Re: Minneapolis & St. Paul Fantasies and Speculations
Awesome. Tell 'em to keep building
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Re: Minneapolis & St. Paul Fantasies and Speculations
Looks about the right proportion now. Thanks Avian!
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Re: Minneapolis & St. Paul Fantasies and Speculations
Now that's what I'm looking for!
Re: Minneapolis & St. Paul Fantasies and Speculations
It's almost twice as tall but looks 10 times better.
Re: Minneapolis & St. Paul Fantasies and Speculations
Unfortunately , Opus couldn't get the financing for their original 33 story design which was better. I can't fault them for that as lenders were wary and we just were coming out the "Great Recession". However, I do think they should have modified the shorter design so the massing was less boxy and more sophisticated for such a prominent site on Nicollet Mall . They could have been done that fairly easily which a much better aesthetic outcome at 26 stories. My criticism now was both Opus and ESG architects were unimaginative , if not a bit lazy in coming to a better design solution.
Here's an example of an apartment tower proposal that's about 22 stories in Kansas City. Much better design that responds nicely to the urban setting with a little more pizazz (than Nic on Fifth) even though it's also not really tall:
Here's an example of an apartment tower proposal that's about 22 stories in Kansas City. Much better design that responds nicely to the urban setting with a little more pizazz (than Nic on Fifth) even though it's also not really tall:
Re: Minneapolis & St. Paul Fantasies and Speculations
That 49 story version looks about as graceful as the Multifoods tower.
Re: Minneapolis & St. Paul Fantasies and Speculations
That was my exact thought. One is enough of those.That 49 story version looks about as graceful as the Multifoods tower.
Re: Minneapolis & St. Paul Fantasies and Speculations
I'm having a difficult time understanding why you think this is so much better than Nic on Fifth? It's essentially the same design. And I would even argue that the Nic has more going on at the street level; a much more enhanced pedestrian experience. Do you have any specific recommendations on making the design more imaginative?Unfortunately , Opus couldn't get the financing for their original 33 story design which was better. I can't fault them for that as lenders were wary and we just were coming out the "Great Recession". However, I do think they should have modified the shorter design so the massing was less boxy and more sophisticated for such a prominent site on Nicollet Mall . They could have been done that fairly easily which a much better aesthetic outcome at 26 stories. My criticism now was both Opus and ESG architects were unimaginative , if not a bit lazy in coming to a better design solution.
Here's an example of an apartment tower proposal that's about 22 stories in Kansas City. Much better design that responds nicely to the urban setting with a little more pizazz (than Nic on Fifth) even though it's also not really tall:
Re: Minneapolis & St. Paul Fantasies and Speculations
^^^Agree , it does resemble Nic on Fifth, but its not so plain. They break up the massing a bit more so its not completely a box and the have a more interesting cantilevered top with different heights. Agree the street level of Nic on Fifth is good. Actually the street level is the redeeming quality that makes Nic a decent project IMO.
Re: Minneapolis & St. Paul Fantasies and Speculations
Ha, was mine as well.That was my exact thought. One is enough of those.That 49 story version looks about as graceful as the Multifoods tower.
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Re: Minneapolis & St. Paul Fantasies and Speculations
I've been thinking that one thing the cities have been missing is a great centrally located outdoor music venue, preferably an amphitheater. So I started playing around with Google Maps and I realized that a great location would be north bank of the Mississippi right next to the end of the Stone Arch Bridge. It would have an amazing view of the river and falls not to mention depending how you exactly orient the seating a great view of the downtown skyline from the new Vikings Stadium all the way to the Carlyle.
I wouldn't think the programing wouldn't be overly difficult either, look at the success that the Music in the Zoo series has had, you could do the same thing there as well.
I wouldn't think the programing wouldn't be overly difficult either, look at the success that the Music in the Zoo series has had, you could do the same thing there as well.
Re: Minneapolis & St. Paul Fantasies and Speculations
There actually is a small outdoor stage right there. (We are talking about the St Anthony side right?)
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Re: Minneapolis & St. Paul Fantasies and Speculations
Yes, St. Anthony side. I see it now I originally thought it was a gazebo or something. But I'm thinking about something with a much larger capacity.There actually is a small outdoor stage right there. (We are talking about the St Anthony side right?)
Re: Minneapolis & St. Paul Fantasies and Speculations
That was where the Today show set was going to go in my homemade Twin Cities Olympic bid.
Re: Minneapolis & St. Paul Fantasies and Speculations
I don't think you would be able to see the falls from here, that peninsula with trees is in the way. /nitpick
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Re: Minneapolis & St. Paul Fantasies and Speculations
EMBIGGEN: https://i.imgur.com/s7t2PZx.jpg
- Develop on all existing surface parking
- Develop Downtown East / Elliot Park as a live/play district
- Establish "green" avenues along Nicollet and Hennepin
- Building mini-golf driving range on the roof of Ramp A
- Build parks over I394. Build additional pocket parks to serve as neighborhood anchors
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Re: Minneapolis & St. Paul Fantasies and Speculations
Not sure about the other parts but I really like the parks over 394. Personally, I'd like to see some development over the freeway too, not *all* parks, but parks may be a good first step.
Re: Minneapolis & St. Paul Fantasies and Speculations
You forgot:- Develop on all existing surface parking
- Develop Downtown East / Elliot Park as a live/play district
- Establish "green" avenues along Nicollet and Hennepin
- Building mini-golf driving range on the roof of Ramp A
- Build parks over I394. Build additional pocket parks to serve as neighborhood anchors
- Move Downtown St. Paul to the site of the Metrodome.
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