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YOUNG QUINLAN

A PARTNERSHIP BEGINS

1894 – 1925

In 1894 Minneapolis has a population of 190,000. Nicollet Avenue was lit with gas lamps and paved with red cedar blocks.

Two young and ambitious retailers, Fred D. Young and Elizabeth Quinlan, conceived the daring idea of opening an exclusive shop for “ladies’ ready-to-wear.”

On March 16, 1894, they opened Fred D. Young & Company.

(With special thanks to Leo J. Harris)

Elizabeth Quinlan from The Story of Y.Q., published in 1926

Fred D. Young & Company storefront at 513 Nicollet Avenue, 1896

Interior of the 513 Nicollet Avenue store, 1896

Grand opening ad for the new Fred D. Young & Co. store

Following a fire that destroyed their first store, Fred Young and Elizabeth Quinlan moved to a new location on Nicollet Avenue in 1903 at which point the name was officially updated to reflect Quinlan’s increased role in the business.

December 31, 1923, stock certificate to Elizabeth Quinlan, valued at $410,000.00.

Ad from 1894. Fred Young and Elizabeth Quinlan set the standard for women’s clothing in the city

YOUNG QUINLAN

THE PERFECT GEM

1926

The year is 1926, and Minneapolis is now a bustling town of 380,000. Calvin Coolidge is president, and the country is in love with their Ford Model Ts.

Elizabeth Quinlan, who made her mark in the male-dominated garment industry as the first female buyer of ready-to-wear clothing, is finalizing her dream.

She opens a majestic Renaissance Revival building on the corner of 9th Street and Nicollet Avenue in the heart of downtown Minneapolis. It is her “Perfect Gem,” the Young Quinlan Building.

The building was designed by renowned New York architect Frederick Lee Ackerman and constructed at the then-staggering cost of $1.25 million.

Opening day drew a crowd of more than 20,000 people for Elizabeth’s “housewarming party.” With its Old World grace and elegance, the building quickly became a landmark in the heart of the city.

Exterior drawing from The Story of Y.Q, published in 1926

Elizabeth Cecilia Quinlan (1863–1947) looks upon her “Perfect Gem.”

One of the city’s premier buildings, 1926, and still so today.

“Welcome”

“Looking out”

“The Y.Q. Ramp”

Gross Brothers gas station is razed for new construction

The basement dig begins

Construction moves quickly

The first floor begins to be framed

The building looks almost completely framed in by Christmas time

The building is one month away from finish

YOUNG QUINLAN

THE DEPARTMENT STORE YEARS

1950s, 1960s & 1970s

Times changed, and the store could not keep up

Main floor, circa 1960s

Main floor, circa 1970s

Main floor, 1970s

No shopping trip downtown
was complete without lunch at
the Fountain Room, 4th floor

The elegant store slowly became more of a typical department store

YOUNG QUINLAN

BENIGN NEGLECT

1980s

Exterior condition of iconic corner, circa 1985

Exterior brick was in need of repair, circa 1985

Typical condition of parking deck, circa 1985

Typical interior condition, circa 1985

Typical condition of building, circa 1985

Fifth-floor condition, circa 1985

Typical condition of staircases, circa 1985

Exterior of parking garage, circa 1985

Fifth-floor condition, circa 1985

YOUNG QUINLAN

ONCE AGAIN, “THE PERFECT GEM”

Today

For over 60 years the Young Quinlan Building graced Minneapolis with its elegant brick and Kasota limestone exterior, its sweeping staircase of travertine marble, wrought iron balustrades, crystal chandeliers and cathedral windows.

But the years had taken its toll on Elizabeth Quinlan’s “Perfect Gem,” and many in the city were arguing that it was time to tear it down. That is, until Bob & Sue Greenberg, owners of The 614 Company, took control of the building in 1985, saving it from the wrecking ball.

“As a tenant in the Young Quinlan Building for nearly 20 years, I can say without reservation that there is no other office building like it in the Twin Cities. From valet service to the elevator operators to great views of Nicollet Mall, the historic charm of Young Quinlan is unmatched.”

— Russ Nelson, Principal/President, NTH, Inc.