Bandana Square: Difference between revisions

Content deleted Content added
take out vague tone tag, unclear what the problem is
 
(44 intermediate revisions by 25 users not shown)
Line 1:
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox NRHP | name =Northern Pacific Railway Company Como Shops Historic District
{{Infobox NRHP
| nrhp_type = hd | nocat = yes
{{Infobox NRHP | name = Northern Pacific Railway Company Como Shops Historic District
| image =BandanaSq.jpg
| nrhp_type = hd | nocat = yes hd
| caption =Bandana Square: steam locomotive and water tower enhancing the railroad theme
| nocat = yes
| location= Energy Park Dr. and Bandana Blvd.<br>[[Saint Paul, Minnesota]]
| image = BandanaSq.jpg
| area =
| caption = Bandana Square: steam locomotive and water tower enhancing the railroad theme
| lat_degrees = 44
| location = Energy Park Dr. and Bandana Blvd.<br>[[Saint Paul, Minnesota]]
| lat_minutes = 58
| area =
| lat_seconds = 18
| coordinates = {{coord|44|58|18|N|93|9|11|W|display=inline,title}}
| lat_direction = N
| locmapin = Minnesota#USA
| long_degrees = 93
| built = 1885
| long_minutes = 9
| added = March 31, 1983
| long_seconds = 11
| refnum = 83000937 <ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2006a}}</ref>
| long_direction = W
| locmapin = Minnesota
| built =1885
| added = March 31, 1983
| governing_body = Private
| refnum=83000937 <ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2006a}}</ref>
}}
'''Bandana Square''', formerly the ''Como Shop'' of the [[Northern Pacific Railway]], is nowcurrently an office center butin [[Saint Paul, Minnesota]]. However, it was originallyinitially designed to be ana [[shopping mall|enclosed shopping center]] in the [[Energy Park]] neighborhood of [[Saint Paul, Minnesota]]. The site is inon the [[National Register of Historic Places]].
 
==History==
The complex opened in 1984 after several nineteenth century railroad buildings (the [[Northern Pacific Railway]]'s Como Locomotive Shops) were converted into what was to be a large [[festival marketplace]]. Richard Faricy FAIA, the architect, would later recount that it was a remarkable project from the start. The financing and cooperation came from everyone—the railroads, the government, and even private grants.
 
The complex opened in 1984 after severalthe nineteenthformer century railroad buildings (the [[Northern Pacific Railway]]'s Como Locomotive Shops) were converted into what was to be a large [[festival marketplace]]. Richardand Faricyhotel FAIA, the architect, would later recount that it was a remarkable project from the startcomplex. The financing and cooperation came from everyone—thethe railroads, the government, and even private grants.
Bandana Square features a [[Best Western]] hotel and conference center. When Bandana originally opened, the complex was home to several unique restaurants such as the successful Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant that is now located in Minneapolis. The Dakota moved to Downtown Minneapolis in 2003.<ref name=Feyder /> The [[Dino's]] [[Greek cuisine|Greek]] fast-food chain, formerly known as Dino's Gyros, also had its first year-round restaurant at Bandana Square (previously, the company had only set up stands at the [[Minnesota State Fair]] and other events).
[[File:Bandana Square's steam engine, Grand Trunk Western 0-8-0 8327.jpg|thumb|left|Grand Trunk Western 0-8-0 8327 at Bandana Square, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA.]]
[[File:Old Como Shops transfer table at Bandana Square.jpg|thumb|left|Bandana Square's old transfer table.]]
[[File:Bandana Square's Burlington Northern Boxcar.jpg|thumb|left|40-foot boxcar on display at Bandana Square.]]
Bandana Square features aA [[Best Western]] hotel and conference center remains at Bandana Square. When Bandana originally opened, the complex was home to several uniquevarious restaurants, such as the successful Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant that is now located in Minneapolis. The Dakota moved to Downtown Minneapolis in 2003.<ref name=Feyder /> The [[Dino's]] [[Greek cuisine|Greek]] fast-food chain, formerly known as Dino's Gyros, also had its first year-round restaurant at Bandana Square (previously, the company had only set up stands at the [[Minnesota State Fair]] and other events).
 
The center was purchased by the Saint Paul -based Wilder Foundation in 1983 for $17 million.<ref name=Feyder /> By 1989, the foundation had lost $9 million and sought help from the Saint Paul Port Authority. The project had become a financial drain to the foundation and was detracting from its mission to help children and at-risk families.<ref>{{cite news|last=Collins|first=Thomas|title=BANDANA SQUARE AID IS SOUGHT BY WILDER|newspaper=Saint Paul Pioneer Press|date=January 12, 1989}}</ref> At that time, only 65% of the space was occupied.<ref>{{cite news|lastlast1=Meryhew|firstfirst1=Richard|last2=Lonetree|first2=Anthony|title=Bandana Square management seeks bailout|newspaper=Star Tribune|date=January 12, 1989}}</ref> The Port Authority proposed a plan that would save the Wilder Foundation $780,000 a year,<ref>{{cite news|last=Collins|first=Thomas|title=BANDANA RESCUE PLAN PROPOSED|newspaper=St. Paul Pioneer Press|date=January 21, 1989}}</ref> but the Port Authority took over the center in March 1989.<ref>{{cite news|last=Meryhew|first=Richard|title=Port Authority to take over Bandana Square|newspaper=Star Tribune|date=March 30, 1989}}</ref> The port authority sold it to investors for $3 million, who tried to refocus it as a regional retail and entertainment center. Wellington Management bought the center in 2003 for $6.1 million. The center was converted entirely to offices in 2006.<ref name=Feyder>{{cite news|last=Feyder|first=Susan|title=No more retail at Bandana Square - The owners of the historic parcel in St. Paul's Energy Park are converting the building to an all- office property.|newspaper=[[Star Tribune]]|date=March 3, 2006}}</ref>
 
The [[Minnesota Children's Museum]] was located in a building close to Bandana Square from 1985 until 1995, when it moved to Downtown Saint Paul, taking with it many visitors.
==Museums==
The [[Minnesota Children's Museum]] was located in Bandana Square from 1985 until 1995 when it moved to Downtown Saint Paul, taking with it many visitors.
 
The [[Twin City Model Railroad Museum]] was located in Bandana Square from 1984 until 2016, when it moved to a new St. Paul location. The museum was the last remaining tenant from the original renovationsrenovation of the facility into a shopping and entertainment district. <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2015/10/27/twin-city-model-railroad-museum-remaining-open-through-march-2016|title = Twin City Model Railroad Museum Remaining Open Through March 2016|date = 27 October 2015}}</ref>
 
== See also ==
Line 41 ⟶ 38:
 
==External links==
{{commons category|Bandana Square}}
* [http://www.tcmrm.org Twin Cities Model Railroad Museum]
* [https://www.wellingtonmgt.com/property/bandana-square Wellington Management: Bandana Square]
 
{{authority control}}
{{Museums in Minnesota}}
{{RegisteredNational Register of Historic Places in Minnesota}}
{{Saint Paul neighborhoods}}
 
[[Category:Shopping malls established in 1984]]
[[Category:Defunct shopping malls in the United States]]
[[Category:Historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Minnesota]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Saint Paul, Minnesota]]
Line 53:
[[Category:Railroad museums in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Museums in Saint Paul, Minnesota]]
[[Category:Railway buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places in Minnesota]]