Location:
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Status:
Permanently closed
Dates active:
1930s-?
The Medical Arts Building in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was a central, downtown location for doctors and dentists to open offices. The original part of the building along Nicollet Avenue was completed in 1923. The 19-story addition was added in 1929.
Its exterior may be a bit simple, but take a closer look, and you’ll see that the building is covered in creamy terra cotta tiles. The ornamentation at the top of both buildings is intricate and captivating. Inside, the building’s lobby is much the same as decades ago: decorative terrazzo floors, lots of marble, and brass elevator doors decorated with medical symbols. The lobby also showcases Art Deco pendant lights and a stunning barrel-vaulted, coffered ceiling painted sky blue.
The Fountain Terrace restaurant was located in the building’s arcade for many years before being rebranded as the Colony Restaurant & Bake Shop in the 1950s. The eatery was open from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, making it a popular downtown lunch spot and a great place to grab a snack after an appointment in the building.
In the 1940s and 1950s, the menu offered hot and cold sandwiches, salads, soups, and a variety of desserts. The menu was simplified when the restaurant changed to quicker, cafeteria-style dining in the mid-1960s. Customers at the renamed Colony Cafeteria could choose from a wide variety of salads, vegetable dishes, spaghetti, and casseroles. Bakery items could be purchased across the hall from the restaurant.
Most of the offices are still used by medical professionals, but general office space is also available. The Medical Arts Building is connected by skyway to another downtown gem, the Young-Quinlan Building.
Colony Cookies
Ingredients
- ½ cup shortening (may use part butter)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg, well beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1½ cups flour, sifted
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup coconut
- 1 cup daes, chopped
- 1 cup walnuts, peanuts, or pecans, chopped
Instructions
- In a large bowl, cream together shortening and sugar. Add the well-beaten egg and vanilla.
- In another bowl, sift together flour, salt, and soda. Pour into the butter mixture and stir until combined.
- Add coconut, dates, and nuts. Sir until well combined.
- Roll cookies into 1-inch balls. Place on a greased cookie sheet. Press flat with a fork.
- Bake in a 375° oven for 15 minutes.
