It's a red-letter night for the Minneapolis skyline, as Pillsbury sign lights up again

After a complete overhaul, the sign was re-lit Monday night

November 3, 2015 at 4:23PM
People cheered and applauded from the rooftop terrace of the A Mill Artist Lofts as the Pillsbury sign was relit Monday, Nov. 2, 2015, in Minneapolis.
People cheered and applauded from the rooftop terrace of the A Mill Artist Lofts as the Pillsbury sign was relit Monday, Nov. 2, 2015, in Minneapolis. (Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Here's how the Pillsbury A Mill complex looked Monday night after the Pillsbury's Best Flour sign was re-lit after a complete refurbishment. The water tower and the mill complex also have new lighting. Photo courtesy of James Eastman
Here's how the Pillsbury A Mill complex looked Monday night after the Pillsbury's Best Flour sign was re-lit after a complete refurbishment. The water tower and the mill complex also have new lighting. Photo courtesy of James Eastman (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The Minneapolis skyline got a little brighter Monday when the Pillsbury's Best Flour sign that reigns over the mill complex was relit after a complete overhaul. The mill complex, which includes the historic Pillsbury A Mill building, was recently converted into income restricted housing for artists by Dominium. The project included relighting all the buildings, including the giant red sign.

Those blinking red neon letters helped light the night sky for more more than 70 years, but by 2014 the letters and the metal structure they hang on were dilapidated, so were taken down and shipped off to Lawrence Sign in St. Paul for a $100,000 restoration. To see a gallery of photos of the letters being reinstalled, click here.

Star Tribune Staff Photo by Glen Stubbe
Star Tribune Staff Photo by Glen Stubbe (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Onlookers celebrate from the roof of the old mill complex. Star Tribune Staff Photo by Glen Stubbe
Onlookers celebrate from the roof of the old mill complex. Star Tribune Staff Photo by Glen Stubbe (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
about the writer

about the writer

Jim Buchta

Reporter

Jim Buchta has covered real estate for the Star Tribune for several years. He also has covered energy, small business, consumer affairs and travel.

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