Butler Square

The Butler Brothers Building has served two distinct purposes since its construction in 1906, first as headquarters for one of the world’s largest wholesalers and since 1974 as an office and retail complex. A second phase of the reuse development was completed in 1979. Restorations were undertaken by developer Charles Coyer with Knutson Construction Services and James Binger with McGough Construction. Today massive support timbers have been cleaned and left in place with sky-lighted courts breaking up the massive interior space. Harry Wild Jones, the original architect, has numerous Minnesota landmarks to his credit including the Washburn Park Water Tower (Minneapolis) and Faribault City Hall. Miller, Hanson and Westerbeck, and Arvid Elness Architects, both of Minneapolis, were architects for the renovation.