A newly opened event space inside Milton Square is giving St. Paul's St. Anthony Park neighborhood a 49-guest gathering spot built around a river-stone fireplace dating to 1914. The Tamarack Room sits in the complex's inner courtyard at Como and Carter Avenues, offering exposed heavy timber posts and beams, historic stucco and new furniture alongside the original hearth.
The venue, covered by Park Bugle, accommodates up to 49 guests for seated dinners or standing receptions, according to tamarackroom.com. Bookings include the venue itself, furniture, a Bluetooth sound system, a refurbished prep kitchen, a climate-controlled HVAC system and event time, with round and rectangular tables already in place. The space is described on its own webpage as character-rich, and it's being pitched for everything from corporate offsites and team meetings to weddings, showers and holiday parties.
A Courtyard Built for Gatherings, Then and Now
Milton Square's current owners, Ned Rupp, Mark Battles and Spencer McMillan, took over management of the complex in 2025, according to miltonsquare.com. They believe the revived event space will benefit tenants, neighbors, nearby businesses and community organizations. The Park Bugle previously reported that the owners described the Tamarack Room as underutilized for events and said they hope it sees more use going forward.
Rupp said he personally responds to each inquiry from people considering booking the room, and that customers are free to bring their own licensed and insured caterer and bar service. Nico's Taco and Tequila Bar, located at 2260 Como Ave., is the venue's preferred catering and bar partner, and Rupp said food and drinks can simply come across the courtyard from there. The Tamarack Room's own site notes that outside alcohol is not permitted, even if a customer hires their own bartender.
A Hall With a Long Memory
Milton Square itself was built between 1909 and 1912 as a mixed-use complex with residential apartments, retail spaces and community gathering halls, per the property's own history page. The complex originally included two community halls, Ye Fireside Hall, built in 1909, and Tamarack Lodge, built in 1914. Mary Ann Milton purchased the property in 1957, and the complex is named for John and Mary Ann Milton.
In 1914, Tamarack Hall was a popular dance venue for foresters from the University Farm and agricultural college men, with dances often featuring live orchestra music. During World War I, Red Cross volunteers held knitting parties there, and the hall later hosted dance parties thrown by Camp Fire Girls alumnae, the Order of Railway Conductors Women's Auxiliary and St. Andrew's girls. It also hosted wedding receptions, St. Anthony Park American Legion celebrations, and campaign planning and rallies for local and state politicians and political parties. A 1913 St. Paul Pioneer Press report noted that Murray School kindergarten classes were moved into Tamarack Hall because the school's regular building was crowded.
Milton Square's half-timber Tudor Revival architecture still frames the courtyard today, and the property continues to house residential units, commercial spaces, restaurants, shops and offices, per miltonsquare.com. The complex already hosts farmers' markets, holiday markets and wine tastings throughout the year, and the Tamarack Room is being positioned to host a wide range of get-togethers, meetings, conferences and celebrations alongside that existing programming.
At the Yuletide Faire
The Tamarack Room will host local pop-up vendors during Milton Square's Yuletide Faire, set for December 5, while Milton Square retailers offer holiday specials. The courtyard will also host a Christmas tree lighting ceremony as part of the same event.
