Post by ● Sep 9, 2015

Central: Downtown West

Tagged: Community Profiles, Minneapolis Minnesota, Minneapolis Neighborhoods, , , , , , , , ,

When residents think of Downtown Minneapolis, they are thinking of the Downtown West neighborhood. Downtown West is the home of most of Minneapolis’s most impressive buildings which make up the Minneapolis skyline. As the core of downtown Minneapolis, it consists of the bulk of office building space in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Downtown West is home to many corporate headquarters and hotels and is the Central Business District of Minneapolis. Therefore, it is comprised of several Fortune 500 corporate headquarters, moderate and upscale retail shops, and landmark office building conversion hotels. All of these businesses employ thousands of people from all over the metropolitan area of the state of Minnesota. The Mississippi River also provides a main element of nature to the neighborhood as well. With around 6,000 residents, this mainly commercial location is full of activity.

The Target Center, home of the Minnesota Timberwolves, has greeted over 30 million guests and hosted almost 5,000 events since it opened in 1990. The Target Center has one of only two moveable arena floors in the country and it can be fully raised or lowered in 25 minutes; the floor raises 5 feet to maximize guest sight lines. This venue has been home to many concerts, performances, and NBA basketball games over the years.

Target Corporate Headquarters is also located in Downtown West. This dominant international company decided to name Minneapolis as the home for its HQ, as their first store was established the nearby city of Roseville, Minnesota. As a common name for many structures in Minneapolis, this corporation has a very impactful presence in the city.

The Foshay Tower is a skyscraper in the neighborhood. Designed after the Washington Monument, the tower was finished in 1929, and was the tallest building in the city at that time. It has 32 floors and extends 447 feet in the air. The building, which was included to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, is a specimen of Art Deco style of architecture.

The Orpheum Theater is one of the largest theatres around and attracts many visitors with is spacious seating for an array of classic and newer performances. The music performances, musicals, plays, and one-acts are sure to impress any visitors.

The Depot, another popular destination, is a common place to go ice skating indoors. This is the perfect place for a couple of love birds, or even a large group looking to enjoy the venues entertainment. Rentals are available for those who do not own skates.

There are numerous hotels located in the Downtown West neighborhood including hotels from Hilton, Westin, Hyatt Place, The Grand Hotel, and more. Because of the dynamic, engaging, and interactive nature of the Downtown West neighborhood, there are many tourists who come to visit throughout the year. The accessibility offered in the city makes staying at any of these hotels an easy and obvious choice.

The Nicollet Mall is the shopping center for Minneapolis. A collection of shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues, the mall includes everything from national franchises to hole-in-the-wall dives. For those desiring premier shopping, dining, and entertainment, the Nicollet Mall is the place to go.

There are many renowned restaurants located on or near the mall. Murray’s Steakhouse is one of Minnesota’s most famous restaurants. A premier steakhouse located in the heart of the city, Murray’s offers nationally-acclaimed steaks that have been a tried and true favorite of the city for decades. Each steak is stringently inspected and aged a minimum of 28 days prior to being served, making Murray’s steaks a true delicacy. The Oceanaire Seafood Room is another top-notch restaurant located within the neighborhood. Critically-acclaimed for its fine dining and fantastic selection of seafood, the Oceanaire Seafood Room offers visitors fresh fish flown in daily from around the world. Fogo de Chao is one of the most memorable dining experiences in the entire area. Rooted in Brazilian ranching traditions, Fogo de Chao offers visitors delectable meats prepared in a traditional Brazilian fashion. With all-you-can-eat service and premium quality, Fogo de Chao is an unforgettable dining experience. Bank restaurant is a final example of fine dining within Downtown West. Located in the what was once a bank in the heart of downtown, Bank restaurant features fine dining in a unique setting. Visitors can watch their food being made in the open kitchen while enjoying the powerful setting that the bank provides. Ideal for business meetings or group events, the Bank even features a bank vault which houses the wine cellar.

As the center of Minneapolis and the heart of the downtown area, the Downtown West neighborhood is a dynamic and upscale place to live. With so many dining, shopping, entertainment, employment, and educational opportunities available, living in Downtown West is truly a remarkable experience. While by no means a comprehensive listing of all that the neighborhood offers, this article lays the groundwork for establishing its significance to the city of Minneapolis as a whole. There are many more businesses, stores, restaurants, museums, venues, and hotels for readers to explore.

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