Many home buyers are rediscovering mid-century modern design, in both homes and home furnishings. There is typically about a 50-year lag between the time when something was popular and when it is re-discovered. You might call it the ‘Grandma Effect’… rejecting our parent’s era but finding coolness factor of the previous generation!
People are becoming more and more aware of mid-century modern design in housing, but we also have examples of mid-century modern design in commercial buildings that we may drive by every day but miss the design significance.
There are a number of mid-century modern gas stations in the Twin Cities, such as the one above in Richfield… note the iconic canopy. I noticed another one similar to this one near Minnehaha Falls in South Minneapolis this weekend. If you are interested in mid-century-modern design, see how many you can spot as you travel throughout the metro… any ideas for re-purposing them?
The Dairy Queen on Lexington Avenue in Roseville is another example of mid-century modern design. It opened in 1947, the oldest Dairy Queen in the Twin Cities.
It is easy to just think of it as just ‘old’. But its large outthrust windows area examples of iconic mid-century modern design… used often during the midcentury era to suggest movement and demonstrate its modernity.
As you travel throughout the metro, have fun playing ‘I Spy’ looking for mid-century design elements. Let me know if you find some cool buildings to share!
Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results Mid-Century Modern Realtor – shensrud@homesmsp.com
