Vintage Minneapolis-St. Paul II: the 1990s
 

This is part II of my series of scanned slides of the Twin Cities area.
The 1990s started off with a continuation of the downtown office building boom which had kicked off in 1978. The boom culminated in 1992 with completion of four major towers (First Bank Place, Dain Rauscher Plaza, AT&T Center and LaSalle Plaza). Needless to say by the time these buildings were completed, the economy had entered recession and office vacancy ballooned. No new office buildings were built until about 1998, when developments began for new headquarters for American Express Financial Advisors (now known as Ameriprise) and US Bank, plus Target began their corporate HQ.
Although retail development continued during the 1990s with Gavidae II (a multi-level downtown mall anchored by Neiman Marcus), the opening of the massive Mall of America in 1992 had a significant negative impact on downtown retail (both Minneapolis and St. Paul). Still the flagship Dayton's store at 7th & Nicollet provided a major anchor for downtown retail.
The edges of downtown remained characterized by lots of parking lots, but there were a few new housing developments that were built along the Mississippi Riverfront. The opening of the Stone Arch Bridge for pedestrian/biking traffic in 1993 helped attract attention to the riverfront.

If I was select one tune that represented the sound of Minneapolis in the 1990s, it would be this tune by Golden Smog. Give it a spin!

https://youtu.be/Fl0ULW7HhIc

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...99066e82_b.jpgMinneapolis Skyline - Sept 1990 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4228/3...2ce51449_b.jpgMinneapolis Skyline from Plymouth Ave Bridge, Sept 1990 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4202/3...34bc5df3_b.jpgHennepin Avenue Bridge, Minneapolis - Sept 1990 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4251/3...23dc35cf_b.jpgNorth end of Nicollet Mall (under reconstruction) - Sept 1990 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4219/3...c05fe2b8_b.jpg7th & Nicollet, Minneapolis - Sept 1990 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4245/3...2bf97055_b.jpgIDS Tower, Minneapolis - Nov 1990 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4228/3...d7f87511_b.jpgLooking towards Warehouse District & Hennepin Center for the Arts (foreground) from Mpls Marriott, City Center, - Nov 1990 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr



https://live.staticflickr.com/4219/3...a52e8b5d_b.jpgLooking towards Loring Heights & Loring Park from Hyatt Regency Hotel, Minneapolis - Nov 1990 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4259/3...ec4b005f_b.jpgFirst Avenue, Mpls Whse District - Dec 1990 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4223/3...dfe2d688_b.jpgNate Clothing, 4th Street, Minneapolis - Dec 1990 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4234/3...097042a2_b.jpgHome along Lake of the isles, Minneapolis - Dec 1990 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4202/3...4eeae489_b.jpgHome along Lake of the Isles, Minneapolis by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4245/3...9e67ebbe_b.jpgHennepin & Lake from Calhoun Square entrance, Uptown Minneapolis - Dec 1990 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4261/3...c239f5af_b.jpgUptown: Hennepin Avenue from 31st Street, Minneapolis - Dec 1990 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4670/2...e8e6ab6a_b.jpgSri Lanka Curry House, 28xx Hennepin Avenue, Uptown Minneapolis -- Feb 1993 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4745/2...51d69749_b.jpgHennepin Avenue near 28th Street, Minneapolis -- Feb 1993 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4669/3...c14d23b7_b.jpgMojo's Coffeehouse, Grand Avenue near 36th Street, Minneapolis -- Feb 1993 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4140/3...f731b649_b.jpgBarge on Mississippi with Minneapolis skyline - May 1991 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4104/3...3b098cb7_b.jpgNicollet Mall at 11th Street, Minneapolis - May 1991 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4277/3...a155bcd2_b.jpgConstruction in downtown Minneapolis: Hilton Hotel at left and foreground, Leamington Garage at right, FirstBank Place/IBM (now Capella Center/225 S 6th) in center background - May 1991 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4280/3...2820d98c_b.jpgMinneapolis Towers from 7th Street Garage - August 1991 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4216/3...a45cba44_b.jpgLooking to Glueks from Block E, Minneapolis - August 1991 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4290/3...cb0ccf10_b.jpg7th Street from First Avenue N, Academy Theater at left, First Avenue Nightclub (made famous by Prince & The Replacements) at right - August 1991 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4314/3...12cea45c_b.jpgAcademy Theater on Block E, Minneapolis - August 1991 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4277/3...6ab803a3_b.jpgLake Harriet Bandshell, Minneapolis - August 1991 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4266/3...fa38e795_b.jpg14th Street SE, Dinkytown, Minneapolis - August 1991 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4297/3...cb22d79c_b.jpgMinneapolis Skyline from Dinkytown (U of M)-August 1991 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4587/2...c86b8b94_b.jpgLet It Be Records, 10th & Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis -- August 1992 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4733/2...c6e12f4a_b.jpgShinders, 900 Block of Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis -- August 1992 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4594/2...ccccda9a_b.jpgNicollet Mall at 9th Street, Minneapolis -- August 1992 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4769/2...eddd047e_b.jpgParkway Theater & Pepitos, 48xx S Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis -- Feb 1993 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4625/3...a191f593_b.jpgNorth 1st Street at N 1st Avenue, Minneapolis -- April 1993 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4695/3...40ffe6e2_b.jpgCreamettes Building, N 1st Street, Minneapolis -- April 1993 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4658/3...fbce4fda_b.jpgEast Lake Street, Minneapolis -- April 1993 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4678/3...ec5f6913_b.jpgPenny University Coffeehouse, 50th Street at Penn, Minneapolis -- April 1993 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4652/3...430e337c_b.jpg44th & France at the Minneapolis/Edina border -- April 1993 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4611/3...afc2b9b8_b.jpgHennepin Avenue, Minneapolis -- April 1993 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4603/3...c852d1f6_b.jpg26th Street, looking to Nicollet, Minneapolis -- January 1993 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4621/3...df843b11_b.jpgMuddy Waters Coffeehouse, 24th & S Lyndale, Minneapolis -- January 1993 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4756/2...c9186a41_b.jpgAbandoned Mills, S 2nd Street, Minneapolis -- January 1993 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4656/2...6d8d3f26_b.jpgWarehouse Buildings, North Washington Avenue, Minneapolis -- January 1993 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4651/3...74680330_b.jpgGiant Globe at University of Minnesota, Minneapolis -- May 1993 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

MORE TO COME!!

https://live.staticflickr.com/4654/2...f11c805e_b.jpgPeavey Plaza, downtown Minneapolis -- May 1993 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4709/3...73b7742c_b.jpgBrit's Pub along Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis -- May 1993 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4744/2...5281816c_b.jpgThe Time's Bar & Cafe, 11th & Nicollet, Minneapolis -- May 1993 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4615/3...991a3f67_b.jpgNicollet Mall at 11th Street, Minneapolis -- May 1993 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4743/3...2f9eac6c_b.jpgNicollet Mall from 8th Street, Minneapolis -- May 1993 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4608/2...9a8440d4_b.jpgDowntown Minneapolis with Statue on Balcony, Summit House Condos -- May 1993 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4704/2...e999d00e_b.jpgLoring Park and downtown Minneapolis from Summit House Condos -- May 1993 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4633/3...2267768c_b.jpgNicollet Mall from Dayton's-IDS Skyway, Minneapolis -- Nov-Dec 1992 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4591/2...0a148d3e_b.jpgNicollet Mall from Dayton's-IDS Skyway, Minneapolis -- Nov-Dec 1992 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4638/2...fe83a29f_b.jpg7th Street, looking to Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis -- Nov-Dec 1992 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4594/3...a5073c35_b.jpg(former) Powers Department Store, 5th & Marquette, Minneapolis -- Nov-Dec 1992 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4693/3...8454790d_b.jpgLake of the Isles, Minneapolis by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4637/3...21cd9bd5_b.jpgMinneapolis from Lake of the Isles, Nov 1992 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/1804/4...d14bc88c_b.jpgFoshay Tower & IDS Center, Minneapolis -- March 1994 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/882/42...0e2b2683_b.jpgHennepin Avenue, downtown Minneapolis -- Feb 1994 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/874/40...16b636f2_b.jpg29th Street Rail Trench, South Minneapolis -- February 1994 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

For a very brief period of time, Prince had his own store in Uptown called The New Power Generation. I went in there a few times--In addition to records/cd's (his own plus those he was affiliated with) various clothing and accessories, they also offered rare records.

https://live.staticflickr.com/1726/4...080754e6_b.jpgNew Power Generation -- Prince's Retail Store on Lake Street, Uptown Minneapolis -- Feb 1994 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/1746/4...78c3cdb6_b.jpgLake Street at Holmes, Uptown Minneapolis -- Feb 1994 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/862/29...120040d6_b.jpgLake Street, Minneapolis (near Chicago Avenue) -- May 1994 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/1786/2...4cc10ee3_b.jpgThe Lake Street Sears Store & Catalog Distribution Center, Minneapolis -- May 1994 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/839/29...5b52895e_b.jpgFrosted Trees, Xerxes Avenue, Minneapolis -- April 1994 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/853/41...d9fc2c22_b.jpgNeglected Homes - 3100 block of 2nd Avenue, Powderhorn Neighborhood, Minneapolis -- May 1994 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/838/29...f22d5805_b.jpgSouthwest Minneapolis Homes -- 36th & Irving -- May 1994 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/854/42...0ba4166f_b.jpgKites over Minneapolis, Boom Island -- May 1994 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/1783/4...443cdcfd_b.jpgAmerican Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Ave, Minneapolis -- May 1994 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/935/42...73986899_b.jpgDemolition of Berman Buckskin Building, Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis -- April 1994 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/1803/4...68507804_b.jpgMayDay Parade, Minneapolis - May 1994 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/1823/4...c820dbf8_b.jpgMayDay Parade, Minneapolis - May 1994 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/940/43...1a19aca9_b.jpgMayDay Parade, Minneapolis - May 1994 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/921/43...fd69c113_b.jpgMayDay Parade, Phillips Neighborhood, Minneapolis -- May 1994 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/1792/3...ef56335e_b.jpgComo-Harriet Streetcar Crossing, 42nd Street, Linden Hills, Minneapolis -- June 1994 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/1899/4...32a30ea3_b.jpgMinneapolis from Lake Calhoun -- Oct 1994 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/1874/4...d2f90d3c_b.jpgSunset Silhouettes, Lake of the Isles, Minneapolis -- Oct 1994 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/2938/3...441574b2_b.jpgLinden Hills, Minneapolis from the air - April 1990 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/1813/4...5bb606f3_b.jpgMinneapolis Skyline from Highland Water Tower, St. Paul -- Oct 1994 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/1793/4...72b5e503_b.jpgDowntown St. Paul from Highland Park Water Tower -- Oct 1994 by Todd Jacobson, on Flickr

Great stuff! I suppose the early 90's could be "vintage." It does seem like a different time in those pictures.

The snow of those February 1994 photos reminded me that we had a really bad winter/ice storm in Cincinnati in January or February of that year. I'm guessing Minneapolis also got it, but probably worse because it's farther north? :tup:

I like this, I definitely did not see it both times I have visited!

I think I’ve changed planes at MSP three times, but one time it was like a 7 hour layover. I took a bus to downtown Minneapolis. Didn’t have much time and it was January but what I saw was lovely. This was around 1997 or so. Sadly I’ve never made it back.

These photos are great. The only photos I have of this vintage are of Phoenix, Las Vegas, and LA.

From certain angles, Minn and Paul look AWESOME!

Great photos Todd!

yeah me either thats really something — very attractive! :tup:

i have actually vacationed there 3x, including once in the 1990s.

the last time we went a few years ago we met some friends out and they said, “so what did you do on your first day?” and we said, “oh you know, the usual touristy thing, we went to matt’s for a juicey lucy” and they just stared at us and said, “minneapolis doesn’t get any tourists.” lol not true!

For it's size Minneapolis doesn't really get a lot of tourists! What was frustrating for me was when I'd ask people who visit the Twin Cities what they visited, invariably they'd say "oh, The Mall of America". I'd ask Did you see the lakes? "uh, no"; Minnehaha Falls? "uh, no". How about the view from the Stone Arch Bridge? "well, maybe next time"

this is probably almost shameful after three visits, but i have never been to the mall of america. i had been to the previous largest mall in america, randall park in cleveland, now long gone, so i feel like i had that kind of thing covered lol.

damn it, there are really awesome photos here!

Nice photos! I'm pretty sure the Berman Buckskin building was the oldest building in the Warehouse District when they knocked it down. It was torn down for the new Federal Reserve branch. Minneapolis is in the habit of decrying all the classic old buildings it has torn down and then doing it again.

oh please.

come look at ohio cities’ historic stock.

what’s left of it!

Sorry, but I gotta agree with Chef. Minneapolis has very few older commercial buildings with individual storefronts remaining in the downtown. Most of the original 1880s downtown was demolished as part of the Gateway Urban Renewal project in the early 1960s. Then the combination of a downtown building boom plus the popularity of skyways led to demolition of the smaller older buildings to be replaced with larger mixed use, corporate office, hotel or apartment properties.
As a resident of Ohio for the past 10 years, I’d say Ohio cities have lots of issues, but the loss of historic building stock is less than what Minneapolis experienced, especially a city like Cincinnati.

This song really fits with the 90s pictures! Didn't even own a camera backthen. The skyline and streets haven't changed much, but the cars are really different now.