SPDDC buys Empire & Endicott; tenant search set for 2026
St. Paul Downtown Development Corp. has purchased the Empire Building and the Endicott Arcade in downtown St. Paul. The organization says it will reutilize the Empire Building as part of a downtown stabilization strategy and will begin work in 2026 to identify commercial and retail users for the Endicott Arcade.
📌 Key Facts
- St. Paul Downtown Development Corp. (SPDDC) has purchased the Empire Building and the Endicott Arcade.
- SPDDC will begin work in 2026 to identify commercial and retail users for the Endicott Arcade.
- The organization plans to reutilize (reposition/reuse) the Empire Building.
- Repositioning the Empire Building is part of SPDDC’s broader downtown stabilization strategy.
📊 Relevant Data
The office vacancy rate in downtown St. Paul's Class B buildings is 40%, while Class A spaces have a 20% vacancy rate.
Downtown St. Paul office vacancies detailed as market shows signs ... — BizJournals
St. Paul's overall crime rate is 94% higher than the national average.
St. Paul Crime Rate [2025] | Is St. Paul MN Safe? [Stats + Crime Map] — The Move Crew
In 2022, 72% of identified murder perpetrators in Minnesota were African-American, while African-Americans comprise about 7% of the state's population.
The demographics of crime in Minnesota, with updated 2022 data — American Experiment
St. Paul's population racial composition is 53.21% White, 17.93% Asian, 16.22% Black or African American.
St. Paul, Minnesota Population 2025 — World Population Review
Violent crime in St. Paul decreased by 51% in nonfatal shootings in the first five months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
Violent crime is down in St. Paul. Here's what's working. — Star Tribune
📰 Sources (2)
- SPDDC will begin work in 2026 to identify commercial and retail users for the Endicott Arcade.
- The organization plans to reutilize (reposition/reuse) the Empire Building as part of its downtown stabilization strategy.