When it was completed in 1936, the Minneapolis Armory was the most expensive Public Works Administration building in Minnesota. What an edifice! This stalwart fortress, built of reinforced concrete, brick, tile and steel is still one of the most impressive buildings in the city. The barrel roof, supported by three-hinged arch trusses has a pinpoint span of 210 feet. Enough copper to make 3,070,000 was used on the curving roof’s eight huge ribs. Designed by St. Paul architect P.C. Bettenburg in something called the PWA Moderne style, the building still looks rock solid. St. Paul artist Elsa Jemne painted murals in the building. When it opened, the building’s drill hall of 140 by 270 feet had two balconies on either side and a seating capacity of 4,200.
The Armory was a busy venue for entertainments, sporting events,trade expositions, auto shows, political conventions and concerts. The building hosted the National Basketball Association’s the Minneapolis Lakers part-time between 1947–1959 and as the team’s home court for the 1959–1960 NBA season.In 1980, the Minnesota National Guard ended operations at the armory and the building was sold to Hennepin County. Plans were drawn up to build a county jail on the site, but The Minnesota Historical Society sued to stop Armory’s demolition. In 1993, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that due to the building’s historical status it was protected by state law and could not be razed. Five years later, the county sold the building and it was used for parking cars. In 2015, the Armory changed hands again and was converted from a parking facility into a concert venue and event center. The Minneapolis Armory reopened just in time for the Superbowl in January, 2018.
