ADOLPH FINE

Adolph “Bob” Fine was a major developer of homes in St. Louis Park, particularly north of Highway 7, in the years following WWII.

Adolph Fine graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in civil engineering. He began building homes with his uncle until he set out on his own in the mid 1940s. He formed General Realty Co. (4601 Excelsior Blvd.) in the early 1950’s. He generally would develop 20 to 30 homes at a time. After his peak years in St. Louis Park in the mid 1950s, he expanded to Bloomington in the late 50’s.

Fine built homes in a variety of price ranges. Some were built to specifications of the Veteran’s Administration, and were so small that the neighbors complained that they were bringing down house values. Others were luxurious by St. Louis Park standards. Many were along Minnetonka Blvd., around Blackstone Ave. He did, however, occasionally build a house in other areas of town, including Brookside.

One of his greatest projects was the Texa-Tonka Shopping Center, starting with a Penney's Grocery Store in 1953 and shortly after a drug store. Texa-Tonka Lanes was built in 1958 and Texa-Tonka Rentals in 1959. He also developed several apartment buildings, including many across from Texa-Tonka in what had been a gravel pit.

Fine and his family – wife Mildred (Babe) and sons Jeffrey and James – lived in St. Louis Park. He died on January 9, 1986, in Palm Springs of a heart attack at the age of 74.

See also The Postwar Building Boom.

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This information comes from a variety of sources: newspapers, books, yearbooks, phone directories, interviews, etc. Given the varied sources, we cannot guarantee that all of this information is correct, and welcome any additions and corrections. Please contact us with your contributions and comments.