U.S. Bank will keep its existing skyway branch at the U.S. Bank Center in downtown St. Paul but nothing more, transitioning most employees out of the building at 101 East Fifth St. that bears its name as it seeks to consolidate its Twin Cities offices. Some 75 on-site employees will relocate to its existing corporate building by the West Side Flats in St. Paul later this year, and no jobs will be eliminated, according to the company.

While U.S. Bank maintains some 10 floors — or 118,000 square feet — of office and retail space in the 26-story U.S. Bank Center building, much of that space had grown quiet in the era of remote work. An existing lease with Madison Equities expires in October.

Jeff Shelman, a U.S. Bank spokesman, said the company was “happy to continue to serve our customers in downtown St. Paul” after renewing the longstanding lease for its skyway branch but had made the decision not to renew its office lease. “Like many other companies, we’re focused on using our space effectively and increasing opportunities for collaboration,” said Shelman, in an email.

In an email to employees at the St. Paul location sent Monday and obtained by the Pioneer Press, Senior Executive Vice President Mark Runkel, the company’s chief transformation officer, said moving different teams to different buildings was part of the bank’s “local real estate optimization efforts.”

“The Twin Cities continues to be our home and we’re dedicated to being a key part of its business community,” Runkel told employees. “It’s important to note that there are no job eliminations associated with this change and there will be no interruption to services at U.S. Bank Center branch.”

Madison Equities principal Jim Crockarell died in January at the age of 79, leaving some question as to the fate of his downtown properties, which include event centers, restaurants, office buildings and residences.

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