You can’t miss it. If you’re driving down University Avenue or stuck in traffic near the corner of Snelling, this massive, gleaming creature basically demands you look at it. It’s huge. It’s shiny. It looks like it’s about to explode out of the concrete and take flight right over the Green Line. This is "The Calling," the now-iconic Allianz Field loon statue that has officially changed the skyline of the Midway neighborhood in St. Paul.
Honestly, it’s kinda weird how fast we’ve all gotten used to a 25-ton bird sitting on a street corner. But then again, this is Minnesota. We love our loons. We love our soccer. And apparently, we love giant metal structures that make the Spoonbridge and Cherry look like a desk toy.
What is the Allianz Field Loon Statue, Exactly?
The sculpture is titled The Calling. It’s a 32.5-foot-tall, 89-foot-wide behemoth made of stainless steel. It depicts a loon—Minnesota's state bird and the mascot of Minnesota United FC—rising up from the water, wings spread wide in that classic, powerful display you see on northern lakes.
Scottish sculptor Andy Scott is the mastermind behind it. If that name sounds familiar, it’s probably because he’s the same guy who built The Kelpies in Scotland—those massive, 100-foot-tall horse heads that everyone posts on Instagram. Bill McGuire, the owner of Minnesota United, saw Scott’s work and basically decided the Midway needed that same kind of "wow" factor.
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The detail is actually pretty wild when you get up close. It’s not just a smooth piece of metal.
- It’s built from over 5,000 individual stainless steel "feathers."
- It took 12 semi-trucks to haul the pieces from Scott’s studio in Los Angeles to St. Paul.
- The whole thing weighs roughly 50,000 pounds.
Construction was a massive puzzle. Crews spent weeks in late 2024 welding 62 different sections together. You’ve probably noticed the way it catches the light at sunset; that's the "three-dimensional mosaic technique" Scott is known for. It’s designed to look different depending on where you're standing or what the Minnesota weather is doing that day.
Why a Giant Loon at Snelling and University?
People have opinions. Some folks think it's a brilliant addition to the city, while others wonder why we needed a multi-million dollar bird on a corner that’s still surrounded by vacant lots and construction fences. But the loon isn’t just there for the vibes.
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It’s the "anchor" for United Village. This is the 35-acre redevelopment project surrounding Allianz Field. For years, this spot was basically a giant "bus barn" graveyard and a parking lot. The loon is supposed to signal that the area is finally turning into something else—a park, a hotel, and eventually, a place where people actually want to hang out when it’s not match day.
There’s also the soccer connection. Since Minnesota United (the "Loons") moved to MLS in 2017, the bird has become the symbol of the team’s identity. Putting a giant version of it outside the stadium is like putting a lighthouse at a harbor. It’s a landmark. It’s where you meet your friends before the game. It’s where you take the "I was here" selfie.
Fun Facts You Can Drop at the Pub:
- The Artist Didn't Know the Mascot: When Andy Scott first started sketching ideas for a "Minnesota symbol," he landed on the loon because of its natural beauty. He actually didn't realize at first that it was already the soccer team's mascot. Serendipity, right?
- The "Laser" Rumor: After the statue was announced, a joke on Reddit went viral suggesting the loon should have red lasers shooting out of its eyes (a nod to the "Laser Loon" meme from the Minnesota state flag redesign). Sadly, there are no actual lasers.
- No Land Takeoffs: Some bird nerds pointed out that real loons actually can't take off from land; they need a long "runway" of water. This statue depicts the bird rising from the water, so it’s technically ornithologically accurate despite being made of steel.
Visiting The Calling: What to Know
If you're planning to head down there, the sculpture is located in University Park, right at the southeast corner of Snelling and University Avenues. It’s open to the public daily from 7 am to 11 pm.
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Don't try to climb it. Seriously. There are signs, and it’s made of thousands of sharp-ish steel edges. You’ll just end up with a torn pair of jeans and a conversation with a security guard. Instead, walk around the base. The way the steel "feathers" overlap creates these weird, cool patterns of light and shadow that you don't really see from the road.
The area is still a bit of a construction zone as the rest of United Village fills in, but the park itself is a nice little pocket of green in a very paved-over part of town. If you're taking the Light Rail, get off at the Snelling Avenue Station. You literally can't miss it once you step off the train.
Beyond the Statue: The Impact on Midway
The Allianz Field loon statue is part of a bigger shift. For a long time, the Midway was the place you drove through to get between Minneapolis and St. Paul. Now, with the stadium and the "Great Lawn" and this massive sculpture, there's a push to make it a destination.
Is it perfect? No. There’s still plenty of debate about gentrification and how much public money versus private money goes into these projects. But as a piece of public art, The Calling is undeniably impressive. It’s a weird, bold, beautiful tribute to a bird that screams like a ghost in the middle of the night—which, honestly, is a pretty great vibe for a soccer stadium.
What to do next
- Check out the "UNITED" sculpture: Just a short walk away at the southwest corner of the stadium is another massive steel piece you shouldn't miss.
- Visit at night: The lighting on the loon is specifically designed to make it look like it's glowing from the inside. It's way more dramatic after dark.
- Grab a photo from the Green Line: If you're riding the train, the view from the window as you pull into the station gives you the best perspective on just how large the wingspan actually is.