Duluth Armory Building Redevelopment Shoots For ‘Rooftop Dining’

Plans also include turning the space into a mixed-use commercial building, along with some additional multifamily housing

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DULUTH, Minn. – In 2001, the Duluth Armory was condemned by the city after sitting vacant for more than 20 years. Now, a new developer out of the Twin Cities is working to bring new life back to the historic site.

Over the last two years, the Boisclair Corporation has been working through a due diligence phase, after signing a purchase agreement to develop the armory.

While keeping the tradition of the building intact, the developer’s initial plans for the space may include something the city has never seen before. With the armory located so close to Lake Superior, the Boisclair Corporation also saw this as an opportunity to bring something unique to the Duluth restaurant scene. “We’re actually optimistic it may end up being the first rooftop dining restaurant in Duluth if we can manage it,” said Jeremy Enge-Frey, a development associate with the Boisclair Corporation. “We still have to go through some engineering so that it will all work, but that’s kind of the direction that we’re heading with it.”

The group hopes to bring more people back to the once–thriving landmark. “For so many years this was the centerpiece of our entertainment in the Duluth area,” said Mark Poirier, with the Armory Arts and Music Center. “The building hasn’t really changed that much over the decades. [It’s] a little more worn, the paint’s peeling, but the bones are intact.”

A big part of the project will be preserving the historic stage where the likes of Buddy Holly, Patsy Kline and Johnny Cash have performed. It’s these stories that drew the interest of the Boisclar Corporation.

“The building is just so unique,” said Enge-Frey. “There’s a reason the Smithsonian put it on their virtual tour of natural places to see in the United States. It’s significant, not only locally for Duluth, but significant historically on a national level.”

The armory has a demolition order, to repair the unstable condition of the floors. Engineers have looked at the building and say it’s structurally in pretty good shape, but there’s still a lot of work to be done. “A development like this is very complex,” said Poirier. “They need to leverage as best they can the programs available to them. Historical tax credits, new market tax credits.”

The plan is to take the space and turn it into a mixed-use commercial building, along with some additional multifamily housing. “This building has been vacant for a while,” said Enge-Frey. “Everybody would love to see it be reused and able to serve the community again.”

The Boisclair Corporation hopes to complete its due diligence phase and make the final purchase of the armory by this year. Enge-Frey says many local businesses have expressed interest in leasing space once construction is complete.