Industrial Exposition Building
 |
| Industrial Exposition Building | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Alternative names | International Stock Food Company Warehouse |
| General information | |
| Status | Demolished |
| Location | 101 Central Avenue Southeast, Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| Coordinates | 44°59′9″N 93°15′24″W / 44.98583°N 93.25667°W |
| Completed | 1887 |
| Destroyed | 1940 |
| Height | |
| Roof | 240 ft (73 m) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 8 |
Industrial Exposition Building was located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The building stood from 1887 to 1940. It was the site of the 1892 Republican National Convention, the only major party convention to be held in Minnesota until the 2008 Republican National Convention. It was also the site for the "Festival of Fire and Victory Jubilee" on September 5–10, 1898.
The structure was built on the east side of Minneapolis on the site of the Winslow House Hotel. It was bounded by Bank Street SE, Central Avenue SE, Main Street SE, and Ortman Street SE, in the Old St. Anthony part of the city.
Designed by Isaac Hodgson, the building had eight stories and was completed in 1887. Its modified Renaissance exterior was dominated by a 240 foot corner tower. The exterior walls were masonry and the interior had metal support structures. Over $250,000 was raised in private funds to build it.
It initially featured displays of modern technology. The building failed as being a major convention center, however, and in 1903 was taken over by the International Stock Food Company. In the 1930s, it was used a merchandise warehouse for a mail order company. The 240 foot tower on the southwest corner of the building was, for many years, the tallest structure in Minneapolis.
The Exposition Building was torn down in 1940 for the construction of a Coca-Cola bottling plant. The bottling plant was torn down in the early 1980s. The area was later a parking lot and is currently built up with townhouse condominiums.
This is the tallest structure in Minneapolis to be demolished intentionally. The Northwestern National Bank Building, though taller, was destroyed in a fire known as the Minneapolis Thanksgiving Day Fire.