Packers vs. Vikings

We all know how this matchup will end. But hey, super cool video of the new Vikings Stadium!

Tom About Detroit

My new job at 10 Missions Media recently took me to Detroit, an appropriate destination for my foray into the automotive industry. I’ve been in the Detroit airport countless times, but never before had visited the city. I was so excited to check it out, and the reality was better than I imagined. Incredible, ornate old skyscrapers, people excited to talk about their city and the wonderful, amusing People Mover train. I can’t wait to get back to this great city!

The limousine Kennedy was shot in at the Henry Ford Museum

This is the chair Lincoln was shot in – at the Henry Ford Museum

The actual Rosa Parks bus

This is great ambiance – Lafayette Coney Island.

I ate 4 of these dogs while I was in town – at Lafayette Coney Island.

Nice little statue at a People Mover station

Inside the Renaissance Center

The Renaissance Center as viewed from inside the Cobo Center

Looking toward downtown on Woodward Avenue

A distant view of the Ambassador Bridge.

My friend Anna checking out the Rosa Parks seat on the bus.

Inside the Cobo Center.

One of my favorite sights while riding the People Mover.

4Marq Modernism

4Marq is a 30-story residential tower by Mortenson. It’s going up at 4th Street and Marquette Avenue, on the same block as the 26-story Nic on Fifth residential tower and the upcoming 9-story Xcel Energy headquarters.

I love the design of this building, with a body white (albeit precast) shell surrounding a simple glass tower. This building won’t change the skyline, but it will be a nice addition from certain, northerly angles of downtown. [Read more about 4Marq HERE.] The white is such a nice contrast to our typical, Minneapolis style – which I love. This is one of several massive proposed or under construction residential developments in downtown.

On that subject, Minneapolis definitely has its own architectural theme. The Minneapolis style is typified by the use of blue or green reflective glass, warm colored stone (often quarried from southwestern Minnesota) and matte metallic accents. Examples include the Minneapolis Central Library, Target Field, LaSalle Plaza, the currently under construction Orchestra Hall and, my favorite, the IDS Center (International Style, to be specific, on the latter).

Quick construction update – August 17, 2014:

This building will be the Minneapolis version of 432 Park Avenue, proposed to soon be the tallest building in New York City. One thousand feet shorter, of course, for our version…

 

5 Reasons You Should Move to a City

This is an excellent article in New York Magazine about the enduring (and growing) power of cities and density.

 

And just for fun, here’s the same perspective with a rendering for One Vanderbilt Place thrown in. I’m not sure what to make of this design. It reminds me of the Transamerica Pyramid.

AT&T Tower

Just a nice sunny day in downtown Minneapolis

AT&T Tower – Minneapolis, MN

Art-a-Whirl 2014

As always, my favorite weekend of the year. I’ve never seen Northeast so busy!

St. Anthony Falls

The Stone Arch Bridge was rocking today, the first 70-degree day of 2014. I try to spend a lot of time around the falls after the spring thaw when the water’s high.

Why This Dude Bought a House in Detroit for $500

This is a long read, but an amazing story shared by a coworker. I am so interested in Detroit and have often wondered what buying a scrapper there would be like. I don’t think I have what it takes. Story by Drew Philip.

Check it out HERE.

Photograph by Garrett MacLean

Power Lines

One57

One57 is a 75-story skyscraper in Manhattan’s Midtown neighborhood. It’s slated to be completed this year, and stands 1004 feet tall. These incredible photos of its finishing work were taken by Stephen Weppler. The building was done by Extell, and will be the tallest residential building in the Western Hemisphere. The website is pretty incredible, too.

And here are a few other pics of this lovely building.