Growing up in the Twin Cities, I was driven by this building numerous times. I was always curious about its construction, as the highlight was the tile. Several past public surveys have deemed this building as ugly, but I’m not so sure; to me, it’s more of a conversational piece. But I’m asking you: is this one of Minnesota’s ugliest buildings?
At The Corner Of University And Snelling
The building I am referring to sits at the corner of one of the busiest intersections in the Twin Cities. The building serves a purpose and isn’t that old, considering the age of most buildings in Minnesota. The building is called the Spruce Tree Centre, and it is distinguished by green bathroom tile imported from Europe.
Spruce Tree Centre sits at the intersection of University Avenue and Snelling Avenue in St. Paul, and it has always been a conversation piece since it was erected in the 1980s. The building itself has a parking garage and has served as more of a business center than a one-company building since it was built.
Green ‘Bathroom’ Tile Adorns The Outside
The building which was built on the site of a 1920s drug store, was started in 1987 and features German green bathroom tile around a quarter of the outside. Several past public surverys have conveyed that this is one of the ugliest buildings in not only Minnesota but the world.
I Don’t Mind The Tile
The tile doesn’t bother me so much as the building stands out in stark contrast to the rest of the neighborhood. Helping the buildings case is the fact that the Minnesota United opened their stadium not far away lending more of an abstract acrhitecture feel to the area…