A New Chapter for an Iconic Neighborhood Building
The Coliseum Building, located at the intersection of Lake Street and Minnehaha Avenue, has opened its doors once again following a 3 1/2 year community-focused redevelopment initiative centering BIPOC voices. After sustaining heavy damage during the unrest in response to the murder of George Floyd in 2020, the historic building finally reopened to the public during the Soul of the Southside block party celebrating Juneteenth on June 19th. A destination for community commerce since 1917, the newly renovated, move-in-ready building at 2708 E Lake Street has been redeveloped as a beacon for BIPOC entrepreneurs and small businesses through a project led by the nonprofit community development corporation, Redesign, Inc. The new space offers commercial/retail/office space, incubator space for local BIPOC professionals and BIPOC-led firms, an event center, and an on-site restaurant & bar.
Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Coliseum Building has long been a beacon for local businesses and BIPOC entrepreneurs. The redeveloped building will continue to serve as a retail and commercial hub for the East Lake Street community and help catalyze future adjacent development.
