Metropolitan Building

Metropolitan Building

:"For the building in Detroit, Michigan, see Metropolitan Building (Detroit)."The Metropolitan Building, originally known as the Northwestern Guaranty Loan Building, is considered to be one of the most architecturally-significant structures in the history of Minneapolis, Minnesota. It stood from 1890 until it was torn down starting in 1961 as part of major urban renewal efforts in the city that saw about 40% of the downtown district razed and replaced with new structures. At the time, the pending destruction of the Richardsonian Romanesque building provided a catalyst for historic preservation movements in the city and across the state.

The building is considered by some to be the city's first skyscraper, with 12 stories and standing 218 ft (66m) tall. Small observation towers poked up above the corners, and the rooftop had a popular garden. It was built of green New Hampshire granite and red Lake Superior sandstone, with the interiors dressed in antique oak. A large skylight allowed the interior to be safely lit in a time when the electric light was rare (though the building was eventually wired), and the floors of walkways circling the center court were translucent to allow more light to filter through. Architect E. Townsend Mix designed the building, and it is considered to be his most notable achievement. Many of the city's most prestigious companies had offices in the Metropolitan.

When it went up, the building was owned by the Northwestern Guaranty Loan Company, which had been founded by Louis F. Menage. Menage (1859-1924) had gained a fortune while speculating on real estate in the Minneapolis area in the 1880s. He spent $1 million on the project. Many hailed the building when it was first completed, although some such as Cass Gilbert did not like the style.

The Panic of 1893 caused Menage's company to collapse, and he fled the country. Thomas Lowry, another major real estate speculator and the owner of the area's streetcar network, purchased the building but only held onto it for a little more than a decade before selling it off to the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company in 1905. This is where the building gained its "Metropolitan" name, even though it changed hands a few more times before succumbing to the wrecking ball.

There was little practical reason to tear down the building. Records from the day indicate that it was safe and almost fully occupied at the time it was condemned. The structure came down because it was in the wrong neighborhood—on the edge of the so-called Gateway District.

An obituary of Louis F. Menage appeared in the "New York Times" of 17 March 1924. He has given his name to a zoological expedition to the Philippines from 1891-1894 and he is honored in the scientific name of the dove Tawi Tawi Bleeding Heart ("Gallicolumba menagei") .

ee also

*Gateway District urban renewal project

References

*David Hawley (October 11, 2002). [http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/local/4257520.htm Demolition Man.] "St. Paul Pioneer Press".
* [http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/citywork/planning/sections/hpc_site/hpc_welc.html Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission]
*Larry Millett (1992). "Lost Twin Cities". Minnesota Historical Society Press, St. Paul.


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Metropolitan Building (Los Angeles) — General information Location 315 W. 5th Street Los Angeles, California United States The Metropolitan Building (Los Angeles) (315 W. 5th Street, Los Angeles, California 90013) is one of a number of buildings built along S. Broadway in the early… …   Wikipedia

  • Metropolitan Building (Detroit) — Metropolitan Building General information Type office Architectural style Gothic Revival …   Wikipedia

  • Metropolitan Building (Minneapolis) — For the building in Detroit, Michigan, see Metropolitan Building (Detroit). The Metropolitan Building in November 1960 The Metropolitan Building, originally known as the Northwestern Guaranty Loan Building, is considered to be one of the most… …   Wikipedia

  • City & Metropolitan Building Society — was a UK building society, founded by Frederick Cleary CBE in 1948 which merged with the Stroud Swindon Building Society in 1996.[1] References ^ Conversions and Mergers of Building Societies . Building Societies Association. January 2007 …   Wikipedia

  • Metropolitan Museum of Art — Coordinates: 40°46′46″N 73°57′47″W / 40.779447°N 73.96311°W / 40.779447; 73.96311 …   Wikipedia

  • Metropolitan Tract (Seattle) — The Cobb Building, 1301–1309 Fourth Avenue, is the only remaining building whose design conforms to the original Howells Stokes plan for the Metropolitan Tract …   Wikipedia

  • Metropolitan Opera — The Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, seen from Lincoln Center Plaza The Metropolitan Opera (the Met ) is an opera company, located in New York City. Originally founded in 1880,[1] …   Wikipedia

  • Building society — Nationwide Building Society is the UK s and the world s largest building society A building society is a financial institution owned by its members as a mutual organization. Building societies offer banking and related financial services,… …   Wikipedia

  • Metropolitan Tower (Chicago) — Metropolitan Tower Pyramid and Beehive La …   Wikipedia

  • Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County — Founded January 1, 1979 Headquarters Lee P. Brown Administration Building Downtown Houston, Texas Locale …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”