Dania Hall

Designed by architect Carl F. Struck in 1886, this five-story brick building featured Victorian eclectic architectural elements with a large auditorium, proscenium stage, and horseshoe-shaped balcony that could accommodate several hundred spectators.

Constructed in 1886 by the Society Dania for Danish immigrants, the hall served as a central gathering place for Scandinavian communities until its complete destruction by fire in 2000.

The venue hosted performances by notable Scandinavian-American entertainers and literary figures like Knut Hamsun, fostering cultural expression and maintaining Nordic traditions in Minneapolis throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Originally featuring retail spaces at street level, meeting rooms in the middle floors, and a theater on upper levels, the building provided multiple functional spaces for community activities and commercial use.

A commemorative pillar erected in October 2001 marks the original site where this significant cultural landmark once stood, preserving the memory of Scandinavian immigrant heritage in Minneapolis.

Inception: 1886

Architects: Carl F. Struck

GPS coordinates: 44.96900,-93.24690

Latest update: July 24, 2025 10:19