SPS Tower Skyway, Lobby and FRGMNT Coffee

This building is a monumental figure in the post-modern downtown landscape. Built in 1987, the interior features honed pink granite, polished black and white marble, and a light-filled internal atrium at the crux of the skyway connections. The common area previously housed a disused coffee shop, a nearly hidden security desk, and underscaled, uninviting furniture. The space lacked warmth, energy, and a clear purpose for users to utilize it.

The renovation includes new lounge areas on both skyway and lobby levels, an updated security desk, new lighting, new retail spaces, and art and accessories throughout the space. The lighting was refreshed throughout, and the ceiling was renovated to add warmth and depth—transforming the space into one that is bright, welcoming, and comfortable.

Architecturally, the interventions were designed to feel seamless while adding layers of softness and warmth. Newly built-in banquette seating now wraps the atrium, allowing users to engage in the connection between the ground level and second floor. The addition of a large-scale family table with integrated lighting anchors the space, allowing tenants to use this space as a work and meeting location that augments their office space. The new lounge seating, which creates a separation between the lobby and the new coffee shop, becomes an anchor for the new lobby. A new custom-designed sculptural light fixture dominates the atrium and reaches into the double-height space, creating dynamic impact from both the street and skyway levels.

The high-contrast black and white stone, pink granite, and bold geometry of the arches remain as a strong backdrop. The team worked to balance these elements by working with a contrasting yet warm palette, introducing greenery, human-scale lighting – including soft-glow sconces and table lights, and personalized elements such as a custom art display case which adds texture and helps to tell the story of the building.

Modern office buildings in the downtown core must offer elevated amenities and compelling spaces to gather, connect, and recharge. These elements help tenants encourage employees to return, making the office a place for more than just work. Along with the coffee shop renovation and two floors of new spec suites, this project helped SPS Tower reach the highest occupancy rate in the downtown area: 72% leased, with 52,540 sq ft leased in 2025 alone.

FRGMNT Coffee opened its new and first downtown Minneapolis location in 2025, occupying a 2,200 sq ft space on the skyway level of SPS Tower. Replacing a long-vacant coffee shop, this new café is a key element of the building’s broader renovation—aimed at revitalizing tenant experience and bringing new energy to the building. This coffee shop is the anchor activation for the common spaces of the building. The coffee shop is a draw for tenants in the building and for the community to come and use the building’s new lobby and other amenities.

Located at the intersection of four skyways, the café is designed to be both a destination and a connector. The design introduces a warm, welcoming, and colorful aesthetic that complements the building’s bold postmodern architecture.

Architecturally, our team’s primary intervention was opening the shop to the skyway—removing the existing storefront and creating a custom entry portal marked by bold, colorful graphics to invite users in. Banquettes with open decorative screens provide seating along both the interior and exterior of the café, extending its boundary into the skyway. Additional seating extends throughout the skyway with ample access to power to support work and informal meetings.

FRGMNT’s space itself is punctuated with custom design details: a custom colored stained wood POS counter, geometric handmade zellige tile in a graphic pattern, feature lighting by local designer Hennepin Made, and custom seating with built-in planters wrapping the exterior column – embracing the building’s angular geometry. Layered shelving and grab-and-go coolers are also provided along the queue to enhance the shop’s retail offerings. Color was used to set this space apart from the lobby.. Soft greens and coral colors bring a vibrancy and casualness to this space that is a relief from the formality of the building lobby.

FRGMNT Coffee at SPS Tower shows how thoughtful design and custom elements can transform an underutilized space into a highly desirable amenity.

Design: Studio BV
Contractor: Mission
Furniture Dealer: Continua
Photography: Corey Gaffer