222 & Whole Foods - (222 Hennepin Avenue)

[mullen]

ok it's growing on me. no it's not a tall, gateway building but i appreciate the massing and how this meets the street.

[nordeast homer]

I must reluctantly and sheepishly admit that the addition of the "tower" on the northeast corner of this helps break things up and adds a nice touch as you're coming from the north on Hennepin.

[John]

I must reluctantly and sheepishly admit that the addition of the "tower" on the northeast corner of this helps break things up and adds a nice touch as you're coming from the north on Hennepin.

Totally agree. It really makes it look better. Should look cool when lit up at night. Can't wait for the second tower and cupola to be finished on Washington. No doubt the towers of the complex will be the most interesting features.

[MSPtoMKE]

From May 5th:

222 Construction by MSPdude, on Flickr

[mulad]

Is there something happening on the northwest side of 1st Ave as well? Just wondering about the barriers on the right side of the photo.

[mullen]

that's the velo apartment project, isn't it? I could be wrong.

[mamundsen]

^^^Yes. Velo apartments. viewtopic.php?f=13&t=122

[minntransplant]

Tower on the north end is now clearly visible/framed-up. The brick looks good close up, but the other materials look very cheap. Very strong presence on Hennepin, however. You can see the tower from the gold medal park area. Pretty neat.

[seanrichardryan]

I noticed today the the shape of the tower mirrors the towers on the Hennepin Avenue bridge. It's a great perspective to see looking down Hennepin from around 6th.

[John]

I noticed today the the shape of the tower mirrors the towers on the Hennepin Avenue bridge. It's a great perspective to see looking down Hennepin from around 6th.

No doubt the architects took some cues from the bridge which gives the towers a nice context to the area. I think the towers are really the saving grace of this project, and makes up for some of the design shortcomings which have been previously mentioned.

[jet777]

This project is the biggest hodge podge of materials I've ever seen. It's almost like someone decided it would add architectural value to vomit the facade into place.

[nasa35]

This project is the biggest hodge podge of materials I've ever seen. It's almost like someone decided it would add architectural value to vomit the facade into place.

[Gman12]

Added another tower thing today, hopefully it adds enough shape to the building.

[transplant]

Does anybody know when the Whole Foods is supposed to actually open for business?

[minnyapple]

Thanks for the great pic! According to whole foods website. Its says opening Fall 2013 http://wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/hennepin

[Didier]

That picture is a great example of why this project is so tricky to adequately judge. It's easy to see why people are disappointed by the lack of height in this project, but from this angle it's height fits in perfectly. Just kind of a tricky location, basically being right the transition from the North Loop to Downtown.

[nasa35]

That picture is a great example of why this project is so tricky to adequately judge. It's easy to see why people are disappointed by the lack of height in this project, but from this angle it's height fits in perfectly. Just kind of a tricky location, basically being right the transition from the North Loop to Downtown.

I just think it's butt ugly and not at all ideal for the land use. JMO

[mattaudio]

^we're all aware.

[seanrichardryan]

They had WB Washington closed this afternoon while they crane things into/ onto this building.

[jet777]

They were probably lifting more shades of corrugated brown siding to help trick people passing by into thinking its several developments. That's an old optical illusion trick from Hollywood set designers. Worked pretty well in old 2D black and white movies!