Happy 90th Birthday to the Medical Arts Building!

26 May, 2023 by Kayla Klumb

This year marks the 90th anniversary of the Medical Arts Building in downtown Duluth. Opened on May 26, 1933, during the Great Depression, this architectural gem was the brainchild of Royal D. Alworth, President of the Oneida Realty Company. Designed by Ernest R. Erickson in the Art Deco style, the building was conceived to house 80% of Duluth’s medical professionals.

Groundbreaking began on September 1, 1932, and despite the financial constraints of the era, the building was 90% occupied by its grand opening, hosting 53 physicians and 33 dentists.

Today, the Medical Arts Building stands as a testament to the era’s architectural innovation and resilience. It continues to be a point of pride for Duluth, embodying both elegance and historical significance.

Happy 90th birthday to a landmark that remains a beacon of timeless design and enduring legacy!

For more about the Medical Arts Building, visit AIA Minnesota’s Medical Wonder.