About
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Address: 2843 Elliot Avenue South
Neighborhood: Midtown Phillips
Construction Date: 1927
Contractor: George Nimmons & Co.
Architect: George Nimmons & Co.
Architectural Style: Moderne
Historic Use: Industrial/ Commercial
Current Use: Office/Residential/Commercial
Date of Local Designation: 2005
Date of National Designation: 2005
Area(s) of Significance: Social History; Commerce; Architecture
Period of Significance: 1928-
Historic Profile: The Sears, Roebuck & Co. building, now known as Midtown Exchange, represents an early phase in the development of a company that became the major retailer in the U.S. by the late twentieth century. Sears, Roebuck & Co. revolutionized consuming material goods in the United States in the late nineteenth century and early 20th century. Its mail order catalogs brought merchandise to a wider variety of middle-class customers, ushering in the era of consumer capitalism in America. It was estimated that over 800,000 customers in the upper-Midwest ordered from the catalog. The success of the Chicago-based company necessitated the spread of warehouses and retail stores throughout the upper Midwest. Sears chose the location on the Lake Street commercial corridor because of its inexpensive land and availability of parking spaces. Architect George Nimmons was commissioned to design many Sears’ retail stores and warehouses including the one in Minneapolis. Well known for his industrial design, Nimmons developed a utilitarian style of warehouse architecture that matched the enormous growth of Sears, Roebuck. The retail store closed in 1994 for several reasons, including Sears’ commitment to a location at the Mall of America. Rehabilitation efforts were undertaken between 2004-2006 to convert the old warehouse into the Allina Hospital and Clinics headquarters, private condos, and a Global Market where local retail and restaurant vendors sell their merchandise.
Photo Credits:
1941, Norton and Peel, courtesy of The Minnesota Historical Society
2005, Midtown Exchange
Works Cited:
"City of Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission Registration Form," 2004.
Updated: February 2007