Our office occupies the top floor of the beautiful, historic Young Quinlan Building. The building was built in 1926 by Elizabeth C. Quinlan, who was one of the first female merchandising executives in the United States. She was known as a trendsetter in the Upper Midwest. Her merchandising techniques were admired and copied by retailers across the country-including Stanley Marcus of Neiman Marcus stores.
Miss Quinlan spared no expense when building her elegant five-story building at the corner of Nicollet Mall and Ninth Street. She sought out an architect that would design her "home" with an Old World atmosphere. The building's dedication ceremony and open house on June 15, 1926, was said to have been attended by more than 20,000 people.
With an exterior of brick and Kasota limestone, detailed window treatments, stone carvings, and tall windows, the Young Quinlan Building quickly became a landmark in downtown Minneapolis. Inside, the polished bronze doors, ten-foot arched ceilings, crystal chandeliers, hand-detailed plaster walls and decorative wood trim gave Miss Quinlan's store an elegant atmosphere. Many shoppers fondly remember the "tea room" where they would take a break and chat while enjoying a cup of tea. For nearly 60 years, Young Quinlan's was known for its collection of fine clothing and merchandise.
Today, the Young Quinlan Building has been rejuvenated into modern office and retail space by The 614 Company. Great care has been taken to retain the beautiful handcrafted features of the original design. The bronze entryway remains the same, as do the decorative brass and pewter elevators, the underground valet parking, and brass fixtures. In fact, the building is the last in Minneapolis to have friendly elevator attendants greet passengers and deliver them to their floors. Even today, visiting the Young Quinlan Building leaves visitors with a feeling of Old World elegance.