The lobby of the Hyatt Centric Downtown Minneapolis on Nov. 1.
Ayrton Breckenridge, The Minnesota Star Tribune
The lobby of the Hyatt Centric Downtown Minneapolis on Nov. 1.
Streetscapes

Minneapolis hotel lobbies offer grandeur, gilt and a vibe-y jumble

November 7
Downtown hotel lobbies offer a glimpse into the past as well as a view of humanity at a crossroads.
The new Northstar Cafeteria in Northstar Center includes "swankiness, terrazzo floors and the class A finishes."

Northstar Cafeteria is back in downtown Minneapolis, and more upscale for a new generation

October 31
Its rebirth brings back memories of the heydays of cafeteria dining, 10-cent asparagus toasts at Miller's and Forum's lavish ad campaigns.
FILE- The only Frank Lloyd Wright gas station in the world, built in 1958, stands on a busy corner in Cloquet, Minn.

Minnesota had the most unusual gas station in the country in 1958. Why are they so dull today?

September 19
Frank Lloyd Wright made a monument to design. Phillips 66 used a bold-looking canopy. Now, gas stations are nondescript.
The Governor's Mansion - er, residence.

The Minnesota governor's residence has lore galore, and a secret tunnel

September 14
It's not called a mansion, and not every occupant was thrilled to live there.
A rendering of the proposed ramp for HCMC in downtown Minneapolis.

Is the design for HCMC's new parking ramp in downtown Minneapolis going in the right direction?

September 12
The proposed structure in downtown Minneapolis is striking. But shouldn't hospital structures be welcoming?
Then: When it opened in 1954, the Hub had 32 stores and was the largest planned shopping center in the Twin Cities. Some residents still find it a gre

Strip malls abound in the Twin Cities area. Here's why they're useful, ugly and convenient.

September 7
Postwar developers made one big mistake in the efficient mall design, and it's spoiled the suburbs for decades.