The goal of the Coliseum building’s restoration was to create generational wealth for BIPOC small business owners through the equitable redevelopment of a building that was damaged in the civil unrest following the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police.

The Coliseum project is part of the larger rebuilding of Lake Street following the civil unrest that impacted much of the corridor. Most of the commercial node at 27th Ave S. and East Lake Street was burned to the ground, permanently impacting a corner that was referred to as “Downtown Longfellow.” The Coliseum was badly damaged but was not a total loss like most of the surrounding structures. The restoration of the Coliseum building is a key part of the Longfellow neighborhood’s healing process.

The 85,000 square foot Coliseum building has long been a beacon for local businesses and BIPOC entrepreneurs. Through the redevelopment process led by Redesign, Inc. the building is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Redesign partnered with a diverse group of property owners who serve and work with the BIPOC community – Alicia Belton, Janice Downing, and Shanelle Montana – to be both tenants and long-term owners in the Coliseum Building. Through this partnership, the voices of people of color will be at the table making the key decisions on how this community moves forward. The restoration of this historic building aims to ensure long-term affordability for up to 30 BIPOC and local entrepreneurs/small businesses.

The redeveloped Coliseum building provides approximately 85,000 square feet of commercial/retail/office space, incubator space for local BIPOC professionals and BIPOC-led firms, an event center, and an on-site restaurant & bar.

The health and well-being of a community can usually be seen in the faces of its residents, in its architecture, and in its businesses & streetscape. Given the unrest throughout the Longfellow neighborhood and in particular the devastation along Lake Street, the community is in need of healing. 

Leasing

If you are interested in leasing space at the Coliseum, please click here.

Media Coverage:

2025 Minneapolis Preservation Awards Announced | AIA Minnesota

Coliseum Reopens: A New Chapter for an Iconic Neighborhood Building | The Alley

Q&A: Sunrise Banks’ Mary Stoick on financing a rebuild in a challenging market | Finance & Commerce

Financing the Revival of the Coliseum Building | ENTER

The Coliseum, one of few places Blacks could get credit in Minneapolis, reopened on Juneteenth under Black ownership | Mshale

Minneapolis’ Historic Coliseum Building Reopens on Juneteenth Championing BIPOC Entrepreneurship and Community Reslience | Hoodline

A Coliseum Reimagined: Transforming the Soul of Downtown Longfellow | McKnight Foundation

Historic Coliseum building reopens in Mpls | KMSP

Coliseum Building reopens after being badly damaged in 2020 | KSTP

Historic Coliseum Building reopens after four-year restoration | KARE 11

Century-old Coliseum building reopens on Minneapolis’ Lake Street | KSTP

Years after it was destroyed, Minneapolis’ Coliseum building reopens in “game changing” redevelopment | WCCO News

Historic Lake Street building burned in Floyd protests will reopen on Juneteenth | MPR

The state of Lake Street 4 years since George Floyd’s murder | MPR

Doors Open Minneapolis | KSTP

Where Lake Street rebuilding projects stand four years after the riots | Star Tribune

Coliseum Building redevelopment project aims to uplift BIPOC businesses | KARE 11

Activism for Community Voice | Urban Design Perspectives

Black Architect-Developers of the Twin Cities: Their Journeys, What’s Next, and Why It Matters | enter mn

Lake Street is coming back | Southside Pride

Coliseum Building in Minneapolis earns low carbon verification | REjournals

Coalition hopes to give Lake Street’s Coliseum Building new life | Star Tribune

Exploring the rich history of 27th and Lake | MinnPost

From the Rubble, an Ambitious Effort to Rebuild Differently | McKnight Foundation

Group Aims to Rebuild Lake Street’s Coliseum Building After Uprising Fire | Minnesota Monthly

After George Floyd, One Terp Helps a Neighborhood Rebuild | Maryland Today

Coliseum project highlights power of equitable development | Hennepin County Department of Housing and Economic Development

Redesign saves Coliseum from wrecking ball | Longfellow Nokomis Messenger

Restaurant Owner Whose Business Burned Calls For Justice For George Floyd | National Public Radio

Reviving Lake Street: Nonprofit community groups spearheading recovery | MinnPost

Saving the Coliseum: New life rises from the ashes of violence | Minnesota Spokesman Recorder

Seward Redesign closes on Coliseum sale in Minneapolis | Finance & Commerce

St. Anthony: Rebuilding the ‘downtown’ of Longfellow is going to be a long haul | Star Tribune