Billings Top 10 Buildings
First a disclaimer... these aren't anything other than the architecture I like best so it's not Billings most historic buildings (even though some are historic) and it's certainly not Billings tallest buildings. On Sunday I was doing a bike riding tour of downtown and it inspired me to create this list. So without further adieu, from #10 to #1 here are Billings Top 10 Buildings:
#10. These modern industrial designed Townhouses on Grand Avenue. When I first moved to Billings these places caught my eye but alas they were all rented.
#9. The old "Kirks Grocery" building on Minnesota Avenue. Currently host to a design firm and downtown's only bike shop this perfectly preserved gem will hopefully be around another hundred years.
#8. Yellowstone Art Museum. I love downtown Billings combination of historic and modern architecture and the YAM is a big part of both. The museum opened it's doors inside what used to be the Yellowstone County Jail on 27th Street in 1964. The modern facility which was added opened up in 1998.
#7. Parmly Billings Library. Part of what makes Montana Ave. so special.
#6. Moss Mansion. Billings favorite outdoor wedding venue.
#5. Montana Power Company on Montana Ave. It used to light up Billings, now on occasion... people get lit there. Lol.
#4. Billings Depot. Our historic train depot used to be a stopping point for movie stars and dignitaries traveling across northern America on what was called the "Southern Line" which closed to passenger traffic in 1979. Today it doubles as an entertainment and wedding venue. Home of the 2013 Montana Brewers Association's Spring Festival!
#3. Northern Hotel. What used to be Downtown Billings most popular hotel is now it's swankiest having re-opened in Spring of 2013 after a multi-million dollar renovation.
#2. Babcock Theatre. Built in 1908 it's still Billings premiere small concert venue and host to the Magic City Shorts Film Festival.
#1. CTA Architects Building. It seem appropriate the coolest building in town was built by one of our fine architectural firms combining the old with the new. If they ever vacate maybe High Plains Architects will turn it into condos!