Soo Line Building
| Company type | Building |
|---|---|
| Industry | Real estate, residential apartments |
| Founded | 1915 |
| Headquarters | Minneapolis , United States |
| Products | Residential apartments, office space, retail (formerly) |
| Owner | Village Green Properties (since 2011) |
Number of employees | 400 (when Canadian Pacific headquartered here) (1990s) |
The Soo Line Building is a 19-story residential high-rise located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Upon its completion in 1915, it held the distinction of being the tallest commercial structure in the city until the construction of the 26-story Foshay Tower in 1929.
History
Originally erected for the First National Bank of Minneapolis, which eventually became part of today's U.S. Bancorp (U.S. Bank), this building was crafted by Beaux-Arts architect Robert W. Gibson. It subsequently functioned as the headquarters for the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railroad, which installed a notable street-level clock that became a landmark feature. In business circles, it was commonly referred to as 501 Marquette.
The Canadian Pacific Railway acquired a significant ownership stake in the Soo Line in 1890. In 1961, the MStP&SSM merged with multiple Canadian Pacific subsidiaries to create the reorganized Soo Line Railroad.
During the 1960s, the interior underwent renovations that transformed it into smaller office spaces, with original marble flooring covered by carpeting.
In 1985, Soo Line expanded by acquiring tracks from the bankrupt Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad ("Milwaukee Road"), gaining control over them the following year. Canadian Pacific fully purchased Soo Line in 1990 and established its U.S. headquarters within this building, accommodating approximately 400 employees.
The structure was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 12, 2008.
Village Green Properties, a developer based in Michigan, acquired the building in 2011 for $11.3 million. After relocating existing commercial tenants, they initiated a conversion project in October 2012 to transform the property into a luxury apartment complex featuring 254 units and a street-level dining establishment, aiming for completion by Fall 2013. Canadian Pacific vacated the premises in 2012.
By late 2013, residents began occupying the renovated building.
Location
Situated opposite Marquette Avenue from the 510 Marquette Building, which formerly housed the original Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, the Soo Line Building is connected via a skyway spanning 5th Street South. Resident amenities include a rooftop area with an indoor/outdoor swimming pool and a hot tub located on the 20th floor.
Nearby lies the Nicollet Mall station, providing access to both the Blue and Green light rail transit routes. Close by is Canadian Pacific Plaza, named following Canadian Pacific Railroad’s relocation from the Soo Line Building.