The Building Record
Struck by cyclonic force in 1881, the city experienced a construction boom that pervaded every section and left its mark on all classes of structures—business blocks, public buildings, manufacturing establishments, hotels, and more. This boom has continued unabated ever since. Compiled from the most reliable records, the story of these five phenomenal years is summarized as follows:
Year No. of Buildings Cost
1881 2,390 $5,244,500
1882 3,340 $8,687,975
1883 2,410 $9,461,720
1884 3,464 $7,893,375
1885 3,890 $8,975,200
Total 13,494 $40,262,770
Of the $40 million spent, half was used for residential construction, $10 million on business buildings, $5 million on manufacturing facilities, and the remainder on public and miscellaneous buildings.
A Growing City
The tens of thousands of people pouring into Minneapolis year after year have created a pressing need for homes, stores, factories, and offices. Meeting this demand requires an army of skilled workers, creating a ripple effect of growth and development. Yet even these impressive numbers barely prepare one for the surprises the building record holds.
The city has exhibited an almost feverish enthusiasm for erecting fine buildings in vast numbers, sometimes to a seemingly extravagant degree. Five years ago, a four-story business block was considered grand; today, a four-story structure on a major avenue is almost an affront. The new standard demands six, eight, ten, or even twelve stories. Similarly, while a $10,000 residence once inspired admiration, $100,000 homes now barely raise eyebrows.
The Scope of Construction
The scale of this boom is staggering. In 1885 alone, over 3,000 residences were built at a combined cost of $5 million. In the Eighth Ward, a southwestern section of the city, 600 houses were constructed, averaging $2,000 each, for a total outlay of $1,254,345. Just five years ago, this area was prairie; three years ago, homes were counted in dozens.
In the same year, the city also built:
350 business buildings at $1,650,000
26 churches at $202,000
11 educational buildings at $160,000
11 municipal and charitable buildings at $215,000
46 manufacturing facilities at $690,000
In recent years, the quality of construction has also improved. A building ordinance implemented in 1884 now requires permits, regulates plumbing and sanitation, and prohibits frame structures in the expanding fire limits. Three years ago, there wasn’t a single fireproof building in the city. Today, most new business blocks meet fireproof standards.
Highlights for 1886
This year promises to eclipse its predecessors with several major projects, including:
The public library building ($150,000)
The exposition building ($250,000)
The Masonic Temple ($150,000)
A public market building ($200,000)
The federal government building ($500,000)
A twelve-story hotel ($750,000)
Public school buildings ($100,000)
Various railroad buildings ($200,000)
These are complemented by numerous residences, business blocks, and smaller projects. The estimated total for building operations in 1886 is at least $10 million.
Impacts of Growth
The rapid expansion of neighborhoods is evident. North Minneapolis, once hindered by railroad crossings, has become a popular residential area, adding 12,000 residents in five years. In the East Side and Northeast Minneapolis, districts that were empty six years ago are now thriving. South of Central Avenue, steady activity and improvements continue, while Central Park’s development has bolstered its appeal as a fashionable residential area.
Minneapolis’s population growth mirrors its construction boom. Over five years, 12,000 new houses have been built, accommodating roughly 84,000 additional residents. These numbers confirm the substantial and sustained character of the city’s development, driven by a booming real estate market backed by tangible results.
