In addition to its military use, the armory hosted sporting events, political conventions, and music concerts. It was the home arena of the Minneapolis Lakers of the NBA (now the Los Angeles Lakers) from 1947 until 1960. Later used as a parking facility, the armory underwent renovations and was turned into an 8,400-person events center and concert venue.[4] Since its reopening in 2018, it has hosted numerous musical performances, including during the weekend of Super Bowl LII.
The armory was the costliest single building in Minnesota supported by a Public Works Administration grant. The building is an example of the PWA Moderne style, a design characterized by strong geometry, bold contouring and integrated sculpture ornamentation.[5] The building was designed by St. Paul architect P.C. Bettenburg, who was also a major in the Minnesota National Guard.[6] St. Paul artist Elsa Jemne painted murals in the building.[7]
From the late 1930s through the 1970s, in addition to serving as an armory for Minnesota National Guard units based in Minneapolis, it was a venue for civic events, including concerts, political conventions and sporting events such as Golden Gloves tournaments. The building was used by the Minneapolis Lakers of the National Basketball Association as a part-time home between 1947 and 1959,[5] and as its primary home court for the 1959–60 NBA season.[8][9] Professional motorcycle racing took place inside the Armory during the winter months from 1968 through 1980. The Minnesota National Guard was still operating at the armory as late as 1985.[5]
The interior of the Minneapolis Armory in 2006, during its incarnation as a parking structure
Hennepin County bought the armory in 1989 for $4.7 million, with plans to demolish it and place a new county jail on the site.[6] The Minnesota Historical Society sued to stop its destruction and in 1993, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that the structure was protected by state law, and could not be torn down because of its historical status.[10] In 1998, the county sold the building for $2.6 million to a private company for use as a parking structure on condition that it be preserved.[5]
In 2015, the Armory was purchased by a local development firm for $6 million.[11] The building was converted from a parking facility to an 8,400-capacity[12] events center and concert venue.[4] It reopened in January 2018 in time to host several events related to Super Bowl LII.
The building was designated a Minneapolis historic landmark in 2017.
In popular culture
Jennifer Lopez performing at The Armory for Super Bowl 52, 2018.
Minneapolis native Prince used the building to shoot the music video for "1999" in 1982.[13]
^ abNord, Mary Ann (2003). The National Register of Historic Places in Minnesota: A Guide. St. Paul, Minn.: Minnesota Historical Society Press. p. 95. ISBN0-87351-448-3.
^ abBlack, Sam. "Ned Abdul buys Minneapolis Armory, plans entertainment center". bizjournals.com. Minneapolis/St Paul Business Journal. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
minneapolis, armory, historic, event, center, former, national, guard, armory, located, downtown, minneapolis, minnesota, united, states, built, public, works, administration, 1936, building, occupied, several, army, naval, militia, units, minnesota, national,. The Minneapolis Armory is a historic event center and former National Guard armory located in downtown Minneapolis Minnesota United States Built by the Public Works Administration in 1936 the building was occupied by several Army and Naval Militia units of the Minnesota National Guard from its opening until 1985 3 The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places 2 Minneapolis ArmoryU S National Register of Historic PlacesMinneapolis LandmarkThe Minneapolis Armory in 2006Show map of MinnesotaShow map of the United StatesLocation500 530 6th St S Minneapolis MinnesotaCoordinates44 58 30 33 N 93 15 47 8 W 44 9750917 N 93 263278 W 44 9750917 93 263278 Coordinates 44 58 30 33 N 93 15 47 8 W 44 9750917 N 93 263278 W 44 9750917 93 263278Area2 5 acres 1 0 ha Built1935 1936 87 years ago 1936 ArchitectP C Bettenburg Walter H Wheeler Architectural stylePWA ModerneNRHP reference No 85002491 1 Significant datesAdded to NRHP26 September 1985 2 Designated MPLSL2017In addition to its military use the armory hosted sporting events political conventions and music concerts It was the home arena of the Minneapolis Lakers of the NBA now the Los Angeles Lakers from 1947 until 1960 Later used as a parking facility the armory underwent renovations and was turned into an 8 400 person events center and concert venue 4 Since its reopening in 2018 it has hosted numerous musical performances including during the weekend of Super Bowl LII Contents 1 History 2 In popular culture 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksHistory EditThe armory was the costliest single building in Minnesota supported by a Public Works Administration grant The building is an example of the PWA Moderne style a design characterized by strong geometry bold contouring and integrated sculpture ornamentation 5 The building was designed by St Paul architect P C Bettenburg who was also a major in the Minnesota National Guard 6 St Paul artist Elsa Jemne painted murals in the building 7 From the late 1930s through the 1970s in addition to serving as an armory for Minnesota National Guard units based in Minneapolis it was a venue for civic events including concerts political conventions and sporting events such as Golden Gloves tournaments The building was used by the Minneapolis Lakers of the National Basketball Association as a part time home between 1947 and 1959 5 and as its primary home court for the 1959 60 NBA season 8 9 Professional motorcycle racing took place inside the Armory during the winter months from 1968 through 1980 The Minnesota National Guard was still operating at the armory as late as 1985 5 The interior of the Minneapolis Armory in 2006 during its incarnation as a parking structure Hennepin County bought the armory in 1989 for 4 7 million with plans to demolish it and place a new county jail on the site 6 The Minnesota Historical Society sued to stop its destruction and in 1993 the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that the structure was protected by state law and could not be torn down because of its historical status 10 In 1998 the county sold the building for 2 6 million to a private company for use as a parking structure on condition that it be preserved 5 In 2015 the Armory was purchased by a local development firm for 6 million 11 The building was converted from a parking facility to an 8 400 capacity 12 events center and concert venue 4 It reopened in January 2018 in time to host several events related to Super Bowl LII The building was designated a Minneapolis historic landmark in 2017 In popular culture Edit Jennifer Lopez performing at The Armory for Super Bowl 52 2018 Minneapolis native Prince used the building to shoot the music video for 1999 in 1982 13 In 1998 Aerosmith recorded the video for I Don t Want to Miss a Thing there 14 The 1998 comedy The Naked Man filmed scenes at the Armory as well See also EditList of Registered Historic Places in MinnesotaReferences Edit National Register Information System 85002491 National Register of Historic Places National Park Service July 9 2010 a b Nord Mary Ann 2003 The National Register of Historic Places in Minnesota A Guide St Paul Minn Minnesota Historical Society Press p 95 ISBN 0 87351 448 3 The Armory Minneapolis Riverfront News Minneapolis Riverfront Neighborhoods millcitytimes com Retrieved 2022 10 02 a b Black Sam Ned Abdul buys Minneapolis Armory plans entertainment center bizjournals com Minneapolis St Paul Business Journal Retrieved 2 July 2015 a b c d Hennepin County Fact Sheets Archived 2006 10 23 at the Wayback Machine Minneapolis Armory permanent dead link a b Millett Larry 2007 AIA Guide to the Twin Cities The Essential Source on the Architecture of Minneapolis and St Paul Minnesota Historical Society Press p 75 ISBN 0 87351 540 4 McGlauflin ed Who s Who in American Art 1938 1939 vol 2 The American Federation of Arts Washington D C 1937 p 274 Thornley Stew 1989 The History of the Lakers Basketball s Original Dynasty Minneapolis Minn Nodin Press p 68 ISBN 0 931714 39 7 Gustavo Solomon September 7 2016 The Armory Remains of Minnesota sporting glory MinnPost Millett Larry 2007 AIA Guide to the Twin Cities The Essential Source on the Architecture of Minneapolis and St Paul Minnesota Historical Society Press p 66 ISBN 0 87351 540 4 Painter Kristen Leigh Armory in downtown Minneapolis sold to developer who plans events venue Star Tribune Retrieved 2 July 2015 Uren Adam Deadmau5 announces concert at The Armory in Minneapolis Bring Me the News Retrieved 31 May 2018 1999 princevault com Retrieved 26 June 2020 Boller Jay 28 July 2017 Minneapolis Armory to re emerge as massive event space CityPages Retrieved 26 June 2020 External links Edit Media related to Minneapolis Armory at Wikimedia Commons Official websitePreceded byMinneapolis Auditorium Home of theMinneapolis Lakers1959 1960 Succeeded byLos Angeles Memorial Sports Arena Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Minneapolis Armory amp oldid 1127972380, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
