Central Minneapolis in Hennepin County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Lumber Exchange Building

1887, 1890

Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, April 22, 2024

1. Lumber Exchange Building Marker

Inscription.

In 1887, the Lumber Exchange Building was constructed to house the offices of lumber distributors. The lumber industry was expanding, and a building was needed to house those engaged in the business. The Lumber Exchange Building was originally completed as a ten-story building, considered an excessive height when built.

The building-face along South Fifth Street is original, but the building was subsequently extended to include three additional window bays. Several years later, the building was again expanded, this time to twelve floors. In 1891, a fire broke out in the building, burning the lower ten floors. After the fire, a terra cotta sheathing was placed over the wood and iron skeleton.

The building’s main entrance on Hennepin Avenue includes a brass revolving door that once connected Grand Central Station in New York to the adjacent Commodore Hotel. The Lumber Exchange Building was designated for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. The building today is the oldest 12 story-plus building outside New York City.

Erected by Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. In addition, it is included

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in the National Register of Historic Places series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.

Location. 44° 58.797′ N, 93° 16.337′ W. Marker is in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in Hennepin County. It is in Central Minneapolis. Marker is on Hennepin Avenue, 0.1 miles South 5th Street, on the right when traveling east. The marker is on the window facing the sidewalk on Hennepin Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400-414 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis MN 55401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Westminster Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); State Theatre (approx. 0.3 miles away); Former Site of Plymouth Congregational Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Bridge Square to the Gateway (approx. half a mile away); Bridging the Stream (approx. half a mile away); Stevens House (approx. half a mile away); The House of John H. Stevens (approx. half a mile away); Indians at the Falls (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Minneapolis.

Regarding Lumber Exchange Building.
National Register Statement of Significance:

The Lumber Exchange building is significant as one of the last surviving Richardsonian Romanesque business blocks in the city, for its early fire resistant design by a locally

Lumber Exchange Building and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, April 23, 2024

2. Lumber Exchange Building and Marker

prominent architectural firm and for its commercial association with the Minneapolis' Lumbering Industry. The architectural firm of Long and Kees executed the design for the building which was constructed in two phases in 1885 and in 1890. The Richardsonian Romanesque design represented the early talents of the newly formed partnership of Franklin B. Long and Frederick G. Kees, which began in 1884. The firm also designed the two major Romanesque style buildings remaining in the city; Minneapolis City Hall, 1891 (N.R. 1974) and the Masonic Temple building, 1888 (N.R. 1975). The building's design attracted national attention by architects and engineers when its fire resistant properties of terra cotta sheathing, applies over wood and iron structural members served as a successful test of fireproofing in a 1891 fire in a nearby building. Thereafter, terra cotta was extensively used as a method of fireproofing. The Lumber Exchange was constructed to function as the nucleus for the lumber trade and housed the operations of both local and out-of-state trading concerns and distributors. The lumbering industry is ranked as one of the most significant forces in the economic development of Minnesota. After the decline of the lumber industry the building continued to function as a trade center for wholesale garment distributors in the Upper Midwest.

Also see . . .

Lumber Exchange Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, April 22, 2024

3. Lumber Exchange Building

1. Lumber Exchange Building. (Submitted on April 25, 2024, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York.)
2. Lumber Exchange Building National Register Nomination Form. (Submitted on April 27, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Additional keywords. Historic Buildings

Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, April 23, 2024

4. Lumber Exchange Building Marker

The is the building’s main entrance on Hennepin Avenue which includes the brass revolving door that once connected Grand Central Station in New York City to the adjacent Commodore Hotel.

Lumber Exchange Building Metalwork image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, April 23, 2024

5. Lumber Exchange Building Metalwork

There are a number of these pieces of decorative metalwork on the exterior of the building.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 25, 2024, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. This page has been viewed 56 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 25, 2024, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.