Also known as: New Central Library Built: 2006 Cost: $125,000,000 Designed by: Cesar Pelli Type: Educational Stories: 5 Maximum Height: 105 feet / 32 meters Location: 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, United States
This building has downtown Minneapolis' first green roof, featuring 18,560 square feet of plants that absorb rainwater, rather than let it run into storm sewers.
Outside light is diffused through Minnesota nature scenes in the exterior glass.
The horizontal bands between the levels of glass are clad in Minnesota limestone.
2000 - $110,000,000 in public funding is secured for this project.
2001 - Cesar Pelli & Associates is chosen to design the building.
2002 - The 1961 Central Library, at the same location, is shut down. Operations move to a temporary location on Marquette Avenue.
2003 - The 1961 Central Library is torn down.
February 17, 2005 - The new library tops out.
December, 2005 - The temporary library closes as the collection is moved to the new library.
May, 2006 - The new library opens to the public.
2010 - The Minnesota Planetarium & Space Discovery Center opens on the top floor of the library.
