Downtown Fargo Revitalization Through Retrofitting
Downtown Fargo has recently begun restoring historic buildings that have been standing since the late nineteenth century. After the Fire of 1893, Fargo was a disaster but was optimistic about rebuilding. Hotel Donaldson and The O’Neil Block were some of the first buildings standing after the tragic event. Up until the mid 20th century, downtown Fargo was a booming and vibrant location for business owners, community members and tourists alike. The 1970s brought a time of another disaster, the building of malls outside of the downtown area. West Acres Mall was said to be the downfall of Fargo’s downtown and for a time, it was. The mall drew much of the business away and continued on a downward spiral until the turn of the century. With tax exemptions and tax credits given to property owners, downtown Fargo’s future was turning around. The beauty of the existing historical buildings were finally being recognized and reused, even if for a different purpose. Many buildings didn’t serve the same use as they do today, it’s all about recognizing the culture and designing within it. The use of retrofitting downtown Fargo has not only helped rebuild the city’s life, but also in protecting its history. New buildings do not need to be built, nor do old buildings need to be torn down in order to create new use. Historical buildings can be refined to suit the needs of these new uses while preserving character that cannot be properly recreated.
I would like to highlight buildings that have been designed in the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century and are still occupied to this day. The creative ways in which these buildings can and have been retrofitted in order to create a timeless downtown is something that should be appreciated and repeated.
Fargo’s First Post Office
655 1st Avenue
Built in 1929 for $600,000, the building was originally designed as a U.S. Post Office but served as both post office and courthouse. The first settlers in Fargo had to travel to Moorhead for their mail. When the residents obtained a post office, it was constructed within a grocery store. Until changing its use to the Federal Courthouse in 1969, the site selection is typical for Federal post office buildings, being located on a corner lot with good visibility and access and adjacent a primary commercial corridor of the city. The historical limestone exterior of the buillding and granite steps at each end have remained original in appearance, although use of the structure has changed over time due to user needs. The relocation of the post office allowed the courthouse to repurpose the building without major reconstruction.
Black Building
222 Broadway N
George M. Black purchased the property where the Black Building stands today, in the early 1910s in hopes of opening a dry goods store The store was such a hit, that a dish of ice cream was given with every garment purchase. The stock market crash of 1929 led Black to sell to Sears, Roebuck and Company to help finance construction and the future of retail and office use. The rise of West Acres Mall in 1972 led to retail opportunities for Sears outside of downtown Fargo; it was said that the construction of West Acres would killl the success of downtown.
In order to keep the vibrancy of downtown alive, a new design showcased storefronts that were surrounded by an open courtyard with a cascading fountain and large, imitation elm trees. This development was known as Elm Street Square until 2002 as part of Fargo’s Broadway Streetscape Project. Indiana Limestone in the Art Moderne style introduced in the 1930s is still preserved in present day alongside technological renovations and is still home to some of Fargo’s best artists, fashionistas, designers, architects and of course, mexican food. The interior still obtains much of the charm that was introduced nearly a century ago, yet the growth of Fargo has led to change of use and retailers within the Black Building.
The Loretta Block
210 Broadway N
The Loretta Block was named after Peter Elliot’s daughter-- a well known businessman, who owned many of the downtown hotels and was also the mayor of Fargo. The building’s first tenant was that of a furniture store and since then, there have been many businesses housed here; a cattle company, a paint store, hot dog shop and Scheels Hardware. The buying of the Loretta Block by Kilbourne Group in 2015 has helped restore the building to its historic beauty. The storefront has been revitalized, increasing about 9,000 square feet of usable space to 48,000 square feet of prime retail, commercial and office space. Highlighted by a walk-out patio, it offers one of the best views of Broadway in downtown Fargo.The detail of historical architectural materials like the original brick and wood have been preserved while incorporating comtemporary materials such as raw steel, zinc shakes and glass.
Fargo Theatre
314 Broadway N
Completed in 1926, it was formerly the site of a fruit store, Idlekope Building. During this time period, Fargo Theater was a symbol of the Fargo-Moorhead area, where silent movies and performances could be enjoyed. The 870 seats in the main screen have held up remarkably well. It is Fargo’s only remaining vintage movie palace with a vaudeville stage and serves as a mixed use facility for filiming, live productions and meetings. The Fargo Theater remains in its original location and has ultimately been restored to its former beauty, coming full circle and standing as an extremely popular venue.
Hotel Donaldson 101 Broadway N
The Hotel Donaldson was built in 1893 as one of the first buildings to rise after fire destroyed much of downtown Fargo. In the mid 1910’s, the building changed ownership and was remodeled, with a floor added to replace the building’s two-story ballroom. The building became the Hotel Donaldson, a “European”-style hotel with shop space on the first floor. Over the years, the Hotel Donaldson continued to change use but the name stayed the same. Through the “urban renewal” period of the 60’s and 70’s, businesses abandoned downtown Fargo for better opportunity, leaving behind a rapidly degrading infrastructure and scores of empty buildings and lots. In the late 90’s, interest began to rekindle in the redesign of downtown Fargo, and, in 2000, Karen Stoker purchased the Hotel Donaldson. During this time, the building was in shambles and served as a workingman’s hotel. The renovation was a three-year process of gutting the entire building, replacing all of its interior while retaining many original structural elements. The Hotel Donaldson acknowledges history of culture and the importance of preserving its history while presently supporting Fargo’s literary, performing, and visual arts and providing a venue for music and poetry readings.
Robb-Lawrence Building 650 N.P. Ave
Renaissance Hall originally began as the Robb-Lawrence Building, completed in 1903 for $40,000. His company specialized in agricultural implements such as wagons, wind mills, buggies, cultivators and plows. During this time, the building also housed the Hall-Robertson Wholesale Hardware Company. Robb Lawrence went bankrupt just two years later, but the name remained until 1912. The fall of the company gave rise to other businesses like Chevy Motor, Fargo Paper, Fargo Glass & Paint and Northern School Supply--later purchased the building in 1920. After longstanding, Northern School Supply closed in 1997 and was bought out and was planned to be demolished in 2000. Doug Burgum and other NDSU alumnus purchased the building and donated it to North Dakota State Development Foundation. The building was renamed “Renaissance Hall� in November 2008 and currently houses the NDSU School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture departments.
O’Neil Block
73 Broadway N
O’Neil Block was originally built in 1894, another one of the first buildings reconstructed after the fire of 1893. For years the building thrived with businesses such as, Weil & Gleason Boots and Shoes, H.L. Blout Cigars & Tobacco, F.C. McClane Fine Art, Grand Union Tea Company and later Royal Jewelers in 1927. Renovations in 1940 led to a facelift with the use of sandstone in the Art Moderne style. During this time, Royal Jewelers and Gate City Building & Loan Association occupied the building until GCB relocated in 1956. It was about that time that the building was renamed to the Royal Jewelers Building, which it remains today. The success of the company has led to not only a historical building, but business as well.
The Union Storage & Transfer Cold Storage Warehouse 1026 N.P. Ave
The Union Storage & Transfer Cold Storage Warehouse and Armour Creamery was built by William F. Kurke in 1930. These two buildings made a very important contribution to the historic character of downtown Fargo’s railroad corridor and reflect the importance of the local early 20th Century warehouse distribution networks. The construction of the building started in 1929, but The Great Depression led to a decrease in job opportunities for the community and a quick downfall in the business itself. 1026 NP Avenue LLC purchased the building nearly 75 years later and began the historic preservation process. Construction started in 2013 and today the two buildings make up The Historic Union, an upscale urban apartment as well as mixed commercial space that continues to show the Art Deco style of historical industrial architecture through different use.
Odd Fellows Building 22 Broadway N
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows constructed a building to serve as a meeting hall, designed in the Renaissance Revival style. The building was constructed in 1893, after the fire of 1893. The Odd Fellows met in a hall on the second floor and the first floor was rented to shop owners. The east end of the first floor was home to the Fargo Forum in its early years, and The Record a North Dakota periodical. On the west end of the building were shops, Fargo Harness Company occupying the corner shop. The upstairs was also the home of Fargo’s Commercial Club, incorporated in 1902. A third floor was constructed in 1916 (not pictured in the photograph below) when Horace Donaldson took over the building and converted the upper floors to the Donaldson Hotel. Through many renovations in the early 20th century, the Odd Fellow’s Building has maintained much of its historical character but changed use to Old Broadway-- a saloon with a connected sports bar. With the relocation of the Fargo Forum and the former Donaldson Hotel, a need for an upbeat gathering space was needed. Old Broadway was introduced in 1975 and in 1977 expanded to include a disco and evening hours. The popularity has continued through present times and still remains an icon of the past through preservation of historical architectural detail.
All new photos taken by Morgan Kollman 2016. VCL Darren Zufelt All old photos taken from NDSU Archives Library. All aerial photos taken from Google Images.