Allianz Life Insurance Co. to Move from Hennepin Avenue, Possibly Relieving Parking Congestion in Lowry Hill Neighborhood

The Allianz Life Insurance Co. is likely to move from its headquarters on Hennepin Avenue S., freeing up space that could allow the adjacent Guthrie Theater to undertake its announced expansion. Jack LoSapio, Allianz vice president for human resources, stated that there is a 99-percent chance the company will move, leaving the Guthrie Theater to explore alternative locations, including a downtown Minneapolis block and the baseball field next to the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.

Key Takeaways:

• The Guthrie Theater is considering expanding from its current site, with a potential new theater complex featuring three stages, including a thrust stage, a proscenium-arch theater, and a small flexible space.
• The Guthrie needs nearly twice the square footage as its existing facility to accommodate office, storage, and shop space, as well as the new theater spaces.
• The Guthrie and Walker Art Center have expressed a strong desire to stay in the Lowry Hill neighborhood, but are plagued by parking congestion on nights with events.
• The Allianz building's potential move would free up space, but it's unclear if this would solve the parking congestion problem.
• David Hawkanson, Guthrie managing director, stated that if Allianz were to move, it would put another option on the table, but it's not clear that this would relieve parking congestion.
• David Galligan, Walker's administrative director, said that making visitors and neighbors feel welcome is a priority, and the number one complaint of patrons is parking.
• Fran Davis, president of Lowry Hill Residents neighborhood association, stated that keeping the Walker and Guthrie in the neighborhood and solving parking problems is the top priority.

Statistics:

• The Guthrie Theater's existing facility dates back to 1963 (Source: Joe Dowling, artistic director).
• The Guthrie Theatre needs nearly twice the square footage as its existing facility to accommodate new spaces (Source: Joe Dowling).
• 99% chance that the Allianz Life Insurance Co. will move from its current location (Source: Jack LoSapio).

Sources:

• Joe Dowling, artistic director of the Guthrie Theater,
• Jack LoSapio, vice president for human resources at Allianz Life Insurance Co.,
• David Hawkanson, managing director at Guthrie Theater,
• David Galligan, administrative director at Walker Art Center,
• Fran Davis, president of Lowry Hill Residents neighborhood association