Soo Line Building

The Soo Line Building is a 19-story residential highrise in Minneapolis, Minnesota which was the tallest commercial building in the city from the time it was completed in 1915 until the 26-story Foshay Tower was built in 1929.

First National Bank-Soo Line Building
Minneapolis Landmark
Northwest view of the Soo Line Building (501 Marquette), 2005
Soo Line Building is located in Minnesota
Soo Line Building
Soo Line Building is located in the United States
Soo Line Building
LocationMinneapolis, Minnesota
Coordinates44°58′41″N 93°16′9″W
Built1915 (1915)
ArchitectRobert W. Gibson
NRHP reference No.08000402 [1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPMay 12, 2008
Designated MPLSL1996

History

The Soo Line Building was built for the First National Bank of Minneapolis, a predecessor of today's U.S. Bancorp (U.S. Bank).[2] The building was designed by the Beaux-Arts master Robert W. Gibson.[3] The building later served for many years as headquarters of the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railroad, which added an iconic clock to the corner of the building's street level. For commercial purposes, it was sometimes referred to by its address, 501 Marquette.

The Canadian Pacific Railway became a major shareholder for the Soo Line in 1890. The MStP&SSM merged with numerous CP subsidiaries in 1961 to form the "new" Soo Line Railroad.

During the 1960s, a remodeling operation transformed the building into small offices. The marble floors were covered with carpet.[3]

In 1985, the Soo purchased trackage from the bankrupt Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad ("Milwaukee Road") and usurped it a year later. CP purchased the company outright in 1990; the Calgary-based railway's U.S. headquarters then took over the space for its 400 employees.[4]

The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 12, 2008.[1]

In 2011, the building was purchased by Michigan-based developer Village Green Properties for $11.3 million; after the commercial tenants were relocated, Village Green began conversion of the property in October 2012 into a 254-unit luxury apartment building with a street-level restaurant, scheduled for completion in Fall 2013.[4][5][6][7] In 2012, the CP moved out of the building.[8]

The first residents of the remodeled building moved in by the end of 2013.[3]

Location

The building is located across Marquette Avenue from the 510 Marquette Building, the original Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. A skyway connects the building to its neighbor across 5th Street South.[2] Residents' amenities include a rooftop, an indoor/outdoor pool, and a hot tub on the 20th floor.[9]

In front of that building is the Nicollet Mall station of the Blue and Green light rail lines. Nearby is Canadian Pacific Plaza, renamed after the Canadian Pacific Railroad moved in after vacating the Soo Line Building.[10]

  • Front-corner side, skyway visible.
    Front-corner side, skyway visible.
  • Building's clock.
    Building's clock.
  • Front-corner side.
    Front-corner side.

References
  1. "National Register of Historic Places: Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 5/12/08 through 5/16/08". National Park Service. 2008-05-23. Retrieved 2008-09-03.
  2. Leigh Painter, Kristen (17 November 2015). "Owners celebrate the Soo Line Building's Centennial". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2021-06-15.
  3. "Soo Line Building welcomes first tenants in downtown Minneapolis". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2021-06-15.
  4. Janet Moore, Soo Line's conversion to apartments is close to reality Archived 2012-08-18 at the Wayback Machine, Star Tribune, April 12, 2012, accessed August 6, 2013.
  5. Jim Butcha and Janet Moore, Downtown Minneapolis offices find new life as apartments, Star Tribune, March 31, 2013, accessed August 6, 2013.
  6. Sam Black, Renderings unveiled for Soo Line apartments, Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal, July 5, 2013, accessed August 6, 2013.
  7. Rick Nelson, Schnitzel and foie gras for the Soo Line Building, Star Tribune, August 6, 2013, accessed August 6, 2013.
  8. Johnston, Louis D. (2021-03-31). "With the Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern railroad merger, a long chapter of Minnesota economic history comes to a close". MinnPost. Retrieved 2021-06-15.
  9. Hammerand, Jim (13 November 2013). "Tour the Soo Line Building City Apartments luxury units (Photos)". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2021-06-15.
  10. Black, Sam (5 April 2012). "One Financial Plaza in Minneapolis to be renamed to Canadian Pacific Plaza". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2021-06-15.
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