Recent content from James Lileks
Old lobby mailboxes reflect beauty of classic Minneapolis skyscrapers
The sturdy metal boxes were objects of beauty and functionality as a mail delivery system in tall buildings.
Minneapolis hotel lobbies offer grandeur, gilt and a vibe-y jumble
Downtown hotel lobbies offer a glimpse into the past as well as a view of humanity at a crossroads.
Northstar Cafeteria is back in downtown Minneapolis, and more upscale for a new generation
Its rebirth brings back memories of the heydays of cafeteria dining, 10-cent asparagus toasts at Miller's and Forum's lavish ad campaigns.
Oldest cemetery in Minneapolis has some stone-cold stories to tell
Pioneers and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery has unmarked graves of soldiers and markers for children in a sparsely occupied setting.
Minneapolis' Orchestra Hall stands tall at 50: How it went from curb to cube
The building went from being called "joyless" to being lauded for its acoustics and becoming a game-changer for the storied orchestra.
Minnesota had the most unusual gas station in the country in 1958. Why are they so dull today?
Frank Lloyd Wright made a monument to design. Phillips 66 used a bold-looking canopy. Now, gas stations are nondescript.
The Minnesota governor's residence has lore galore, and a secret tunnel
It's not called a mansion, and not every occupant was thrilled to live there.
Is the design for HCMC's new parking ramp in downtown Minneapolis going in the right direction?
The proposed structure in downtown Minneapolis is striking. But shouldn't hospital structures be welcoming?
Strip malls abound in the Twin Cities area. Here's why they're useful, ugly and convenient.
Postwar developers made one big mistake in the efficient mall design, and it's spoiled the suburbs for decades.
7 things city planners could learn from the Minnesota State Fair
The once-a-year fantasy land in Falcon Heights has some real-world applications, if only we'd relax a little and let some Sham-Wow barkers into our curated commercial world.
Lileks: Minnesotans can take a long time to say goodbye. Here's one columnist proving the point.
It's not my last column. It's my penultimate column.
Lileks: Does the Minnesota accent confound AI?
Maybe if we exaggerate our accent, we'll foil Big Brother.
Lileks: How your dog feels about Social Security
It may surprise you to learn he probably doesn't care when you start to draw it.
These buildings bring a touch of classical Roman design to the Twin Cities
Why are we so fascinated with this bygone empire? Perhaps because we grew up around buildings that look to Rome for their inspiration.
Lileks: Mouse in the house? Better call an Uber.
The instructions for the live-capture traps suggest taking a road trip with it.
Lileks: Sound of cicadas means summer's here to stay
But where are the billions of icky, noisy insects they warned us about?
Lileks: Power's out; better eat the ice cream
When the power goes out, we're all in the dark — but not just literally.
Lileks: Is it me, or is it cold in here?
The eternal struggle between men and women over the proper setting for the air conditioner.
Lileks: Minnesotans need to learn how to lie better
We could be an international travel hot spot if we made up better stories.
Lileks: Don't touch that dial. Or paper. Or coffee cup.
Everyone has a quirk that their friends and family tolerate. What's yours?
Lileks: The secret to the greatest burger in the world
The patty likely will fall apart, but it will taste good.
Lileks: Why you should lie to your phone
Soon, the AI on your phone will know more about you than you know yourself. That's a problem.
Lileks: Why do mosquitoes always bite you in this one stupid spot?
When mosquitoes choose a place to bite, they have a fave. Never your nose. Sometimes your elbow. Rarely the lower back. It's always this one particular place.
Lileks: Minneapolis is happy to be the happiest
But, we admit, we're not sure how we earned the honor.
Lileks: Best Father's Day gift? Listening.
He doesn't need a goofy apron or funny socks. Especially funny socks. Let him tell you something embarrassing,
Lileks: Minneapolis dogs aren't the mailman's best friend
The Postal Service has released a study on dog bites, and we don't come off very well.
Lileks: The stars are aligning on Tuesday. What does it mean?
Either the universe is ending as the Mayans foretold, or nothing will happen at all. Doesn't mean it's not going to be interesting.
Lileks: Do you even want to live in a world without Push-Ups?
Pondering the scarcity of the popular ice cream treat.
Lileks: Right here, right now, Minnesota is the best place to be
Summer starts the moment the brats hit the grill.
Lileks: How many hot dogs do Minnesotans eat? Not enough.
We're falling behind in tube-steak consumption status, and even worse, we add — gasp — ketchup.
Malls are in trouble in Minnesota and beyond. Will your mall close or evolve?
We used to love our malls. They were where your mom bought your first pair of jeans, where you hung out as a teen. But their future may be in doubt.
Lileks: New 'The Office' spinoff takes place at a Midwestern newspaper
The show, still untitled, features the creators of the popular office sitcom, shuttered in 2013.
Lileks: Of course we spend too much on coffee
Fancy drink titles aren't enough to justify paying so much for a cup of Joe.
Minneapolis may lose one of its skyscrapers. Should we mourn or rejoice?
Losing a tower wouldn't necessarily be bad for the city — unless it's replaced by a parking lot.
Lileks: True Minnesotans appreciate the benefit of miserable work
Storm brought us snow, ice and — most important — a chance to build character.
Parking ramps are ugly — but we need more of them in downtown Minneapolis
What if any new ramp could be designed to enhance the city, not just store cars?
A dog takes a walk down memory lane
It's the people — and, yes, the snacks — that they remember.
Lileks: Do you believe the big bad snow predictions?
At some point we began to lose confidence in predictions. Cast your vote!
Can we have spring without winter?
For Jupiter's sake, of course we can.
He's not tuned in to streaming TV
You can't even find the show you don't get.
Ice cream is so much more than just a dessert
It's part of our youthful memories and our adult indulgences.
Minnesota's fast-food chains once boasted garishly fun designs
But you knew what they were at a glance. Now the buildings are nothing short of bleak.
Minnesotans have moved past ketchup onto bona fide hot sauce. So what's our fave?
And what's with South Dakota's love for Heinz?
Is it odd to mourn a microwave?
It's almost a member of the family.
Lileks: Turn off your Christmas lights, people
Unless you can convince your neighbors that they're for a different holiday.
Updating your phone can ruin your life
Nothing works correctly after that.
The Minnesota method: hot dish-based protests
French protesters threw soup; we'd go with a Tater Tot casserole.
Lileks: When State Fair memorials get benched
How do we honor Uncle Bob now?
Lileks: Tired of kids who don't text back?
"Every Boomer probably got a missive in that script, and if we think back, the letters were perfect."
