A Street That Inspires Activity and Celebrates Urban Life

300 Nicollet Mall

A series of destinations along Nicollet encourage visitors to use the Mall in a variety of ways and walk it from end to end. These features provide places for people to come together and gather and are thoughtfully placed in relationship with adjacent buildings.

The “Reading Room”, near the YWCA between 11th and 12th streets is designed with family-oriented seating and oversized reading lamps to encourage use as an outdoor classroom or playroom for children and families going to the YWCA or to participate in the life of the street.

The “Theater-in-the-Round” located adjacent to the Hennepin County Minneapolis Central Library, is designed as an informal performance space that promotes small gatherings, outdoor classrooms, and impromptu performances.

“Nicollet Center” located at the heart of pedestrian and retail activity, between 6th and 8th Street, is designed as a 2-block long experience that celebrates light, art and the four seasons. The designers straightened out the serpentine curve to create a central plaza, allow for more uniform and generous sidewalks and accommodate greater flexibility given the demands for parades, markets and other activities. The Art Walk on the west side of the street includes the 12 Nicollet Lanterns curated by Blessing Hancock along with local artists. The Light Walk on the east side of the street is defined by an armature with custom programmable LED lighting that forms a tunnel of light along with and mirrored fins above that both brings light into this shady area of downtown and celebrates movement allowing users to see themselves from the street below and skyways above.

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