History of MacLaren Hill

Envisioned by St. Paul Mayor George Latimer and other civic leaders during the 1970's, MacLaren Hill began as part of a grand dream to revitalize a run-down industrial neighborhood. once the home of of the Koppers Coke Plant and the site of of the Burlington Northern Railroad's "Como Shops" repair facility, a plan for its development envisioned energy-efficient businesses integrated with residences.

These plans evolved with community input and eventually when the Burlington shops became available, called for a complex including housing, shops, a health club, dinner theatre, and recreation areas with a railroad theme. During its heyday in the 1980s, Bandana Square was filed with shops, restaurants, and entertainment. Outdoor concerts attracted large crowds, and a motel and health clinic were (and are) housed in the former repair shops.

Housing construction was begun in 1981 and completed in 1986. Although ultimately scaled back in size, MacLaren Hill was born. The upscale "Sun Home" designs employed by the developer won the Builder's Choice award from the Builder's Magazine in 1980, and later Saint Paul won an All-American City Award for the Energy Park concept. Today, MacLaren Hill remains one of Saint Paul's most gracious neighborhoods.