Evolution never stops at Minneapolis’ 9th Street Center

Published by: Minnesota Real Estate Journal

Written by: Dan Rafter

When Hillcrest Development acquired Minneapolis’ 9th Street Center in the late 1990s, the company saw potential in a sprawling industrial property that boasted plenty of parking and a great location in the city’s Marcy-Holmes neighborhood.

What Hillcrest Development didn’t see was a center that would one day be home to tabletop gaming enthusiasts, indoor soccer players, craft beverage fans and a growing collection of experiential businesses.

But that’s exactly what the 224,000-square-foot property has become.

The latest chapter in the evolution of 9th Street Center comes with the addition of two new tenants: Wyldwolf Games and Midwest Indoor Soccer. Their arrivals highlights Hillcrest Development’s long-term strategy of creating a mixed-use destination that blends industrial, retail, recreation and community-focused uses.

Located in Minneapolis’ Marcy-Holmes neighborhood near the University of Minnesota and downtown Minneapolis, 9th Street Center consists of nine buildings built between 1910 and the 1950s. Over the last quarter century, the property has gradually transformed from a traditional industrial site into a diverse campus of businesses that attract visitors from across the Twin Cities.

“We are intentional about tenants,” said Scott Tankenoff, managing partner with Hillcrest Development. “We’re not looking to get market rates for everything. That’d be great, but having the right tenants that are durable and stay? That’s a good formula.”

That winning philosophy is evident in the property’s newest additions.

Wyldwolf Games will open a 1,945-square-foot location at 9th Street Center in June. The business specializes in tabletop gaming, offering retail products and professionally hosted role-playing experiences such as Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder events. The space will feature custom sound-resistant gaming rooms and technology designed to support both in-person and hybrid play.

For Tankenoff, the gaming concept fits naturally into the property’s growing collection of destination-oriented businesses.

The tenant needed more than just square footage. It required a location with ample parking, easy access and a distinctive environment capable of creating an experience for customers.

“They are used to going into retail strip centers,” Tankenoff said. “This is more interesting. There is a certain warmth to a brick-and-timber space. There were certain things about it, the character of the neighborhood and the other retail uses in the building. It made for a more attractive destination for them.”

The second addition, Midwest Indoor Soccer, will occupy approximately 28,000 square feet when it opens in August. Founded by Ashraf Ali, the facility will feature two indoor soccer fields, youth programs, leagues, training sessions and retail offerings. Future additions could include concessions and café space.

The soccer facility addresses a growing need for indoor sports facilities in the Minneapolis-St. Paul market.

“There really aren’t other indoor soccer facilities that we are aware of in the city of Minneapolis,” Tankenoff said. “It’s very hard to find indoor training, competition and practice space. Almost impossible.”

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