Gardner Hardware Company, 515 Washington Avenue North, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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Gardner Hardware Company | |
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| Address: | 515 Washington Avenue N |
| Neighborhood/s: | North Loop, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Warehouse District, Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| City/locality- State/province |
Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| County- State/province: |
Hennepin County, Minnesota |
| State/province: | Minnesota |
| Country: | United States |
| Year built: | 1916 |
| Historic Function: | Business |
| Current Function: | Business |
| Architect or source of design: | Christopher Boehme |
| Material of Exterior Wall Covering: | Brick |
| First Owner: | Maytag Company |
515 Washington Avenue North was designed by Architect Christopher Adam Boehme and built in 1916 as a branch
office and retail building for the Maytag Company.
Maytag originally sold agricultural machinery before its washing machines and driers were invented. Ghost signs, "The Magtag Company" "Seaman Paper" and a part of a Paint company's signs are still visible. This building is located in the National and Local Minneapolis Warehouse historic district.
According to a 2009 Minneapolis Warehouse Designation Study:
The Maytag Company warehouse is a symmetrical, four-story three bay brick and reinforced concrete structure. The building’s proportions are classical with pilaster columns, a formal entry with a stylized pediment and a small projecting cornice.
A golden brown glazed brick achieves a polychromatic effect with geometric ornamentation on the pilaster columns as well as rectangular design on the recessed spandrel panels. The first story bays flanking the entry have been modified.92 The windows appear to be original. The building retains a high level of integrity. The rear of the property abuts a Great Northern rail spur.
Gardner Hardware:
One of the oldest hardware establishments in the Twin Cities, Gardner Hardware Company was founded in 1884 by H.B. Gardner. His three sons—H.M. Gardner, G.C. Gardner and E.P. Gardner—eventually took over the family business after he retired.
In 1884 Gardner officially opened its doors to the Grant Street location. Gardner Hardware eventually moved to Fifth Street and then to the Boston Block Building (left), located on Third and Hennepin Avenue.
In 1940, Gardner Hardware moved to the Woolworth Building at 311 Nicollet Avenue. Twenty years later, as a result of the lower loop redevelopment, the company moved once again to its current home at 515 Washington Avenue North.[2]
In 1951 Lawrence K. Healy, son-in-law of G.C. Gardner, took over the company. He remained at the helm until 1977, hen he stepped down to take a less active role in the everyday running of the company. His son Stephen J. Healy took over as president and CEO.
After 127 years, the family operated Gardner Hardware based on a longstanding family tradition of high-quality products and services and a commitment to fulfilling the needs of customers. Gardner Hardware closed just before Labor Day, September, 2015.
The future of the building is not known.
Memories and stories
Photo Gallery
Related Links
Maytag builds a new building 1916
Warehouse District Historic Study
Historic District Design Guidelines
