The History of the Coliseum Building
The Historic Coliseum Building has entered a new chapter of its history following a four-year transformation. Get to know its past, present, and future.
Over its 100+ year history, The Historic Coliseum Building has represented and looked to serve the needs of the community - from providing the essentials to families in the 1900s to being a canvas for unheard voices after George Floyd’s murder in 2020.
Built in 1917 one block over from where Lake Street intersects Minnehaha Avenue, the building became the heart of Downtown Longfellow where Minneapolis Moline workers and their families would gather to shop at Freeman’s, a family-owned department store.
The Historic Coliseum Building later became Podany's, named after its owner who sold used office furniture for 20 years. By the beginning of the 21st century, the building had undergone a redevelopment and a slew of new tenants including a Denny’s and a Latino health clinic filled the building until 2020 when the unrest after George Floyd’s murder made the building unoccupiable.
Learn more about the history of the neighborhood here.
Some of The Historic Coliseum Building’s occupants over time:
Women’s Nonpartisan Club to the Housewives Union
Minneapolis Branch of the National Association for Colored People
Folk Tapestry Dance Center
The Suburbs Band
In 2021, BIPOC business owners, Alicia Belton (Urban Design Perspectives), Janice Downing (Common Sense Consulting), and business co-founder, Shanelle Montana (Du Nord Social Spirits) partnered and co-developed the Historic Coliseum Building with nonprofit Community Development Corporation Redesign, Inc..
