You've probably seen the United Crushers silos a thousand times if you live anywhere near Minneapolis. Those hulking, graffiti-covered concrete giants are basically the North Star for anyone navigating the industrial sprawl of Prospect Park. But honestly, the real magic for your camera isn't the silos themselves—it's what’s happening right at their feet. If you’re hunting for the market at malcolm yards photos that actually look like they belong in a high-end travel mag rather than just another blurry "here’s my lunch" post, you have to understand the light in this building.
The Market at Malcolm Yards isn't just a food hall. It’s a repurposed 1889 machinery shop. We're talking about the old Harris Machinery Co. building, a place that used to manufacture rail cars and tractors. When you walk in, the first thing you notice isn't the smell of wood-fired pizza or Korean fried chicken—though that hits you pretty fast—it’s the scale. Huge timber beams, exposed brick that’s seen better days (in a good way), and massive south-facing windows.
Why the Light Here is a Photographer’s Dream
Natural light is everything. Most food halls feel like sterile airport terminals or dark caves. Not this one. Because it was an industrial machine shop, the architects (shout out to Wilkus Architects and the Wall family) kept the high ceilings and skylights.
If you want the best the market at malcolm yards photos, show up around 3:00 PM on a Tuesday. The "Golden Hour" starts early inside these brick walls. The sun pours through those south windows and hits the worn wood of the communal tables. It creates these long, dramatic shadows that make even a simple basket of fries from Abang Yoli look like a Renaissance painting.
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Don't just stay inside, though. The transition from the interior to the North patio is where you get that "industrial-chic" contrast. You have the clean, modern lines of the outdoor seating set against the backdrop of the rusted, grit-covered silos. It's that juxtaposition—the new Minneapolis meeting the old, grimy Minneapolis—that makes for the most compelling shots.
The Best Spots for Your Lens
Everyone goes for the "Pour Wall." I get it. It’s a 30-tap self-pour wall with beer, wine, and cider. It looks cool. But if you want a shot that isn't a cliché, try these spots instead:
- The Blueprint Room: This space is tucked away and used for events, but if it’s open, the natural light is insane. It has these massive garage doors that roll up. When they’re open, you get this perfect "indoor-outdoor" vibe that is killer for portraits.
- The Original Graffiti: Patricia Wall, the force behind the market, actually kept some of the original "PG-rated" graffiti on the brick and posts. Finding these little historical Easter eggs adds a layer of "realness" to your photos. It proves the building has a soul.
- The Boxcar Bar: The lighting here is moodier. If you’re into low-light photography, the textures of the leather couches and the metal finishes at the bar are prime targets.
- The Silo Frame: Stand near the north entrance and look up. You can frame the United Crushers silos using the building's own roofline. It’s a classic Twin Cities shot, but with the added texture of the Market's brickwork.
Capturing the Food Without Being "That Person"
We’ve all seen the person standing on a chair to get a flat-lay of their tacos. Please, don't be that person. You don't need to. The textures at Malcolm Yards—the dark metal trays, the rough-hewn wood tables, the colorful ceramics—do half the work for you.
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Take the "Wild Boomer Burger" from Advellum. It’s a wild rice and mushroom patty that’s surprisingly "beefy" in photos because of the char. Or the Sake Ceviche from Bagu Sushi. It’s almost too pretty to eat, topped with bright fish roe that catches the light perfectly.
The trick is to use the environment. Place your plate near the window. Use the "Malcolm Yards" logo on the glass as a blurred background. Honestly, the food here is so diverse—from Joey Meatballs' red sauce pastas to the colorful ice cream scoops at Bebe Zito—that you could spend three hours just doing a "food crawl" with your camera.
The Technical Side (Sorta)
You don’t need a $5,000 DSLR. Most of the best the market at malcolm yards photos I've seen were taken on iPhones. The key is handling the white balance. Because you have a mix of warm wood, blue-ish natural light from the skylights, and yellow-ish Edison bulbs, your camera might get confused.
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- Pro Tip: Tap and hold on the brightest part of the room (usually a window or a skylight) to lock your exposure. Then, slide the brightness down a smudge. It preserves the details in the brickwork that would otherwise get "blown out."
Also, embrace the blur. This place gets loud and busy, especially on Friday nights. Instead of trying to get a "clean" shot of an empty room, use a slow shutter speed or "Long Exposure" mode on your phone to capture the movement of the crowd against the static, historical architecture. It tells a much better story about what the Market actually is—a community hub.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think Malcolm Yards is just about the food. It’s not. It’s an "Innovation District." It’s part of the Towerside project. When you’re taking photos, look for the details that show this connection. The way the building interacts with the transitway. The proximity to Surly Brewing and O'Shaughnessy Distilling.
If you only take photos of your plate, you're missing the forest for the trees. The "forest" here is a massive, 27-acre redevelopment project that is literally changing the face of Southeast Minneapolis.
How to Plan Your Photo Visit
- Timing: Weekdays are your friend. If you go on a Sunday at noon, you’ll be fighting families for every square inch of table space. Monday through Wednesday between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM is the sweet spot for lighting and space.
- Parking: It’s free. There’s a huge lot in the back. This is a rarity in Minneapolis, so take advantage of it. It also gives you a great angle for those "approaching the industrial giant" shots.
- The "Vibe" Check: Bring a friend. The Market is designed for "snack and talk." Some of the best shots are candid—your friend pouring a beer at the tap wall or laughing over a stack of Wrecktangle Pizza.
The Market at Malcolm Yards is one of those rare places that looks just as good in person as it does on a screen. It’s honest. It doesn't try to hide its industrial scars; it highlights them with neon signs and gourmet food. Whether you’re a professional photographer or just someone who wants a cool new profile picture, this building provides the perfect backdrop.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the Event Calendar: Before you go, look at their website. They often have "Awkward Family Photo" pop-ups or live music events that provide unique, time-sensitive photo ops.
- Map Your Route: Start at the south entrance for the "natural light" shots, move to the self-pour wall for the "tech/interaction" shots, and end at the north patio for the "urban/silo" views.
- Clean Your Lens: Seriously. With all the steam from nine different kitchens, your phone lens is going to get a film on it. Give it a wipe before you start shooting to keep those brick textures crisp.