The Armory
The Partner/Client: Armory owner, Swervo Development
The Armory is a Minneapolis icon, built in 1935 for the Minnesota National Guard and listed in the National Historic Register. Shea partnered with ownership on a design solution that maintained the notable architectural style and construction while reconfiguring the space into an asset for both the city and state. Plans continued the energy of the stadium and adjacent development plans, and transformed the Armory into a flexible event center and live-entertainment venue for touring concert acts. The renovation added an additional level of parking while maintaining an open central space that can be used for a wide range of events. The parking was able to be added by putting in a new, large floor deck which ultimately ended up bringing the seating closer to the action. New consumer-focused areas were added for food and beverage, as well as larger bathrooms, suites and other supporting amenities. The Armory’s new era builds off of it’s historic entertainment roots as a former home for the Minneapolis Lakers basketball team (now LA Lakers), and as the set for Prince’s “1999” music video and, later, Aerosmith’s video for “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.” Now the venue welcomes up to 8,400 fans for high-energy, live shows.
The Partner/Client: Armory owner, Swervo Development
The Armory is a Minneapolis icon, built in 1935 for the Minnesota National Guard and listed in the National Historic Register. Shea partnered with ownership on a design solution that maintained the notable architectural style and construction while reconfiguring the space into an asset for both the city and state. Plans continued the energy of the stadium and adjacent development plans, and transformed the Armory into a flexible event center and live-entertainment venue for touring concert acts. The renovation added an additional level of parking while maintaining an open central space that can be used for a wide range of events. The parking was able to be added by putting in a new, large floor deck which ultimately ended up bringing the seating closer to the action. New consumer-focused areas were added for food and beverage, as well as larger bathrooms, suites and other supporting amenities. The Armory’s new era builds off of it’s historic entertainment roots as a former home for the Minneapolis Lakers basketball team (now LA Lakers), and as the set for Prince’s “1999” music video and, later, Aerosmith’s video for “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.” Now the venue welcomes up to 8,400 fans for high-energy, live shows.
