Downtown East, located in the Central community, is located near the center of Minneapolis. The area is bordered on its north side by the Mississippi River, and in the east by Interstate 35W. A very small portion of the neighborhood is devoted to local housing, however the area is primarily commercial in nature. The Downtown East neighborhood has a very rich history. Many of the old mills and factories that contributed to the area’s growth have been transformed into residential or commercial developments. The housing styles in Downtown Minneapolis are a combination of condominiums and apartments, built in the middle of the 1900’s. With a population of around 1,500 residents, this mainly commercial area is a tremendously active community.
There are many venues in which local residents can find entertainment and arts to enjoy. The U.S. Bank Stadium, the new home of the Minnesota Vikings, is located in Downtown East. A state of the art stadium located on the former site of the Metrodome, U.S. Bank Stadium is one of the newest and most exciting stadiums in sports history. The Vikings are always a contender in their respective NFL division, and provide plenty of entertainment for the city.
The Guthrie Theater, founded in 1963, is the center for theatrical productions, musicals, and theater education in the Minneapolis area. By performing both classical literature and new work from various cultures, the Guthrie enlightens the public by connecting them to the plays of the world. Open Book is one of the neighborhoods most unique venues. A nonprofit organization whose goal is to foster a vibrant book community, while supporting the art of bookmaking and the literary arts, Open Book is a center for artistic collaboration and creation. With numerous meeting rooms and artistic spaces available for patrons to rent, Open Book provides a niche space that is unique to the Downtown East neighborhood. The Mill City Museum is another attraction in the area. Providing a historical perspective on the city of Minneapolis, the Mill City Museum educates visitors on the growth of Minneapolis, and the famous flour mills that contributed to this growth. Among other things, visitors will see flour milling machinery and get an inside look at what a working flour mill looked like before heading to an observation deck to see the nearby St. Anthony Falls.
The neighborhood of Downtown East is also the home of many notable businesses. The Old Spaghetti Factory is one of the most famous restaurants in the area. A meal at The Old Spaghetti Factory is a memorable experience. With large portions of traditional Italian delicacies served within an immersive dining area, the Old Spaghetti Factory has been a longstanding community favorite for quite some time. Visitors especially enjoy their free scoop of Spumoni ice cream with each meal and dining in the historic train car located within the restaurant. Downtown East is home to one of the leading marketing firms in the Twin Cities area. For 30 years, Periscope has served countless clients in the realms of advertising and promotions consulting. Their expertise in design is second to none, as they help other companies with their branding, marketing, and other business needs. One of the greatest aspects of the Downtown East neighborhood is its infrastructure. The light rail runs through the neighborhood passed the U.S. Bank Stadium, offering residents and visitors easy, affordable, and extensive transportation around the Twin Cities metro area. The light rail connects to many of the outlying suburbs as well, giving even greater access to Minnesota’s cities.
While largely commercial and industrial in nature, the Downtown East neighborhood does offer residents and visitors several notable parks. They include:
Gold Medal Park: Gold Medal Park is attached to the famous Guthrie Theater and offers visitors scenic views of the nearby Mississippi River in addition to lots of open space. A beautiful, small park located in a busy, downtown area, Gold Medal Park is a great location to go on a walk or share a picnic. Its location near the impressive city skyline makes it a peaceful haven in an otherwise busy and active region.
Stone Arch Bridge: The Stone Arch Bridge is one of the many landmarks in the downtown area. While not technically a park, the bridge is a pedestrian bridge offering scenic, sweeping views of the Mississippi River in addition to the city itself. The Stone Arch Bridge connects to walkways along the river bank as well as bridging across the Mississippi towards the University of Minnesota. Cherished by photographers, romantics, runners, bikers, and those who simply enjoy taking a stroll, the Stone Arch Bridge is one of the most revered locations in the downtown area.
If you have any questions regarding the city of Minneapolis, the Central Community, or if you would like to sell or buy a house in the area, please feel free to visit Twin Cities Property Finder or call 1-800-909-1953
