McDonald's is latest fast-food spot to leave downtown Minneapolis

The biggest restaurant company in the world won't have a presence in downtown Minneapolis come the end of October.

The McDonald's outlet in Gaviidae Common II will join an exodus of classic fast-feeders — Taco Bell, Taco John's and Burger King — from downtown. Maybe it's the plethora of food trucks; maybe it's all the sandwich joints.

For McDonald's, the dinner bell will toll as part of a $4 million face-lift of the Nicollet Mall property by its new owner, California-based KBS Companies.

KBS earlier this year bought the former shopping center between 5th and 6th streets, which was once anchored by Neiman Marcus. The fourth-floor "State Fare" food court that houses McDonald's is slated to give way to office space.

The food court is dated and needs "more than a face-lift," said Giovanni Cordoves, KBS vice president and asset manager. Some of the food court's tenants have shut down in recent months, and McDonald's and three others will go in accordance with KBS' plans by month's end.

The Andrea Pizza outlet on the fourth floor will remain, though KBS is working with that restaurant for a move to the second floor, which is slated for retail development. Cordoves said KBS is talking with McDonald's about a "newer, nicer concept" on the second floor, too.

Downtown locations for Taco Bell and Taco John's were shuttered last summer, while Burger King exited U.S. Bank Plaza some time ago.

Mike Hughlett • 612-673-7003