Downtown St. Paul Architecture Features Variety
Art Deco, Richardian Romanesque, 21st Century Modern Add Panache
Need exercise? Whether you’re power walking or strolling, the following landmarks – most of them which came into being in the 19th and early 20th centuries – will give you lots to look at while you’re moving along.
Rice Park
Established as a public square in 1849, St. Paul's first park, with its greenery, flowers and fountain provides a downtown oasis of summertime serenity. Every winter, the park (and adjacent Landmark Plaza) become artificially chilled skating rinks. (bounded by Fourth, Fifth, Market and Washington Streets).
Landmark Center
Formerly the Federal Courts Building, this 100-year-old building now serves as a venue for art events and houses art museums as well as non-profit organizations. With its turrets and towers, the Landmark – were it not for the muted colors – could have been created by Disney. Interior fantasies of the building include a four-story atrium and stained glass skylight. Statues of Minnesotan Charles Schultz famous comic characters decorate the plaza. Free tours are offered Thursdays at 11 a.m. and Sundays at noon. (75 W. Fifth St.).
Xcel Energy Center
This stunning, $130 million head-turner with its top-drawer technology is the downtown venue for everything from political conventions to country music concerts. The 18,000-seat arena in this huge multi-purpose building provides home ice for the National Hockey League Minnesota Wild, too. It was designed by the firm of HOK Sport, which also was responsible for the Dubai Autodrome and Oriole Park at Camden Yards.(175 W. Kellogg Blvd.).
Saint Paul Hotel
With a charming English garden at its entrance, This elegant hostelry opened in 1910, after businessman Lucious P. Ordway challenged the community to match his $1 million donation for the construction of a first-class hotel. The Saint Paul’s façade and interior were designed by the New York firm of Reed and Stem (?), who also designed New York’s Grand Central Station. Completely restored, the hotel features a delightful English Garden at its entrance (Corner Fifth and Merchant Sts) .
James J. Hill/St. Paul Public Libraries
Founded in 1921, the James J. Hill Library has the reputation of being one of the finest business libraries in the U. S. that’s open to the public. Its style is Richardsonian Romanesque. The Central Library (90 W. Fourth St.), designed by architect Electus Litchfield and opened in 1917. The impressive Italian Renaissance Revival structure underwent a $16 million restoration which was completed in 2002.(80 W and 90 W Fourth Street).
City Hall and Ramsey County Court House
Created Created by Thomas Ellerbe & Co. in 1931, the style is “American Perpendicular.” Inside, its Council Chamber paintings depict St. Paul during pioneer days as well as more recent times. Each of the art deco skyscraper’s floors is decorated with a different kind of wood from around the world. Most dramatic touch is the heroic (6- ton, 36-foot high) statue “Vision of Peace,” a work by Swedish sculptor Carl Milles that stands at the end of Memorial Hall.( 15 W. Kellogg)
Mickey’s Dining Car, Ltd.
An authentic Art Deco diner from the 1930s, Mickey’s is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. With a red and cream color scheme inside and out, the diner features counter stools and four booths, each of them with its individual jukebox. Open 24 hours a day, the diner’s menu reflects its era with items like hash brown potatoes O’Brien and, of course, hamburgers.(36 W. Seventh Street).
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