Overview

The Band Box Diner is a great example of programmatic architecture.

• Location: 729 10th Street South
• Neighborhood: Elliot Park

Historic profile

The Band Box Diner is a great example of programmatic architecture. This style of architecture shows a building's purpose through its form. As more people used cars in the 1920s, more buildings were designed in the style to attract consumers.  

A "band-box" is a cardboard or thin chip box used to store clothes. When used in everyday language, it refers to cleanliness and neatness. The Diner owners, Harry and Bert Wyman, wanted to convey this with the building's design. The small rectangular building has rounded corners and a flat roof. The painted exterior is white with red trim around the windows, entrance door, and roof lines. The building is made of prefabricated steel. It was built as a single piece for easy assembly and transportation. Similar design principles apply inside the diner as well. The walls and floors are black and white with accents of red.  

This building is the first Band Box Diner, designed simply and open 24 hours. This location attracted a variety of customers. There were even rumors that infamous Minneapolis gangsters would hang out there. The Diner expanded to 13 more locations, all with the same design and material.