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Twin Cities

Minnesota architecture

The Minneapolis skyway system is the longest continuous climate-controlled pedestrian walk in the world, stretching over 9.5 miles through downtown. This allows residents to navigate the city's theaters, shops, and offices without ever stepping out into the frigid winter air.

  • 13Landmarks
  • 1891Oldest · James J. Hill House
  • 241 mTallest · IDS Center
  • 13Architects

Before you go

  • Fly intoMinneapolis-St. Paul (MSP)

    MSP is regularly ranked as the best airport in North America for customer service, praised for its cleanliness and its wide array of local dining options. It features a unique 'inter-terminal' light rail that allows passengers to move between the Lindbergh and Humphrey terminals with ease.

  • CurrencyUS Dollar ($)
  • LanguageEnglish

    The local speech is famous for 'Minnesota Nice,' a polite and understated communication style. It is easily recognized by its distinctively elongated 'O' vowels and Scandinavian-influenced cadences that reflect the region’s ancestral heritage.

  • Getting aroundMETRO Blue Line

    The Blue Line light rail connects the airport directly to the world-famous Mall of America. Northstar Commuter Rail provides a vital link for residents traveling from the northern suburbs to downtown. The extensive bus network includes several arterial BRT lines with off-board fare collection.

13 landmarks in Minnesota

  1. IDS Center
    Photo: Michael Hicks from Saint Paul, MN, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    IDS Center

    80 S 8th St, Minneapolis, MN 55402

    The tallest building in Minnesota remains an enduring icon of Modernist architecture. Its distinctive glass 'prism' design reflects the changing sky and the surrounding city skyline. The famous Crystal Court atrium serves as a vibrant urban park and the social heart of downtown Minneapolis. It gained global recognition during the opening credits of 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' in the 1970s. Today, it stands as a premier destination for business, shopping, and high-end hospitality.

    Built
    1972
    Architect
    Philip Johnson / John Burgee
    Style
    Modernist
    Height
    241 m (791 ft)
    Stories
    57
    Today
    Office / Retail / Hotel
  2. Foshay Tower
    Photo: Jim Winstead Jr. from los angeles, usa, Web: http://www.trainedmonkey.com/, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Foshay Tower

    821 Marquette Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55402

    This Art Deco masterpiece was uniquely modeled after the shape of the Washington Monument. For over 40 years, it reigned as the tallest building in the city before the modern skyscraper era. The exterior is famous for the 'FOSHAY' name displayed in massive 10-foot lighted letters. Visitors can explore a dedicated museum on the top floor detailing the building's eccentric history. It also features the city’s only open-air observation deck, providing 360-degree views of the metro area.

    Built
    1929
    Architect
    Leon Eugene Arnal
    Style
    Art Deco
    Height
    136 m (446 ft)
    Stories
    32
    Today
    W Hotel / Observation Deck
  3. Cathedral of Saint Paul
    Photo: McGhiever, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Cathedral of Saint Paul

    239 Selby Ave, St. Paul, MN 55102

    Perched majestically on Cathedral Hill, this Beaux-Arts landmark overlooks the state capital. The design was heavily inspired by French cathedrals and features a massive copper-clad dome. This dome is one of the largest in the world, making it a visible marker for miles. Inside, the space is decorated with intricate mosaics and the stunning Shrine of Nations. It remains an active place of worship while serving as a designated National Shrine.

    Built
    1915
    Architect
    Emmanuel Louis Masqueray
    Style
    Beaux-Arts
    Height
    93 m (305 ft)
    Stories
    1
    Today
    Cathedral / National Landmark
  4. Guthrie Theater
    Photo: Steve Lyon, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Guthrie Theater

    818 S 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55415

    This striking deep-blue industrial structure sits prominently on the banks of the Mississippi River. Its most famous feature is the 'Endless Bridge,' a cantilevered walkway extending far over the parkway. This walkway offers visitors breathtaking panoramic views of the Stone Arch Bridge and St. Anthony Falls. The interior houses three different stages designed to accommodate a wide variety of theatrical performances. Since its completion, it has become a central hub for the Twin Cities' flourishing arts community.

    Built
    2006
    Architect
    Jean Nouvel
    Style
    Contemporary / Industrial
    Height
    53 m (174 ft)
    Stories
    9
    Today
    Theater / Cultural Hub
  5. Weisman Art Museum
    Photo: McGhiever, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Weisman Art Museum

    333 East River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55455

    Located on the University of Minnesota campus, this building is a masterpiece of Postmodern design. Its jagged, stainless steel facade is designed to reflect the sunlight and the river like a shimmering glacier. The structure is recognized globally as one of Frank Gehry's most significant early works. It serves as a teaching museum for the university and a major public art destination. Its abstract shapes provide a stark and beautiful contrast to the traditional brick campus surroundings.

    Built
    1993
    Architect
    Frank Gehry
    Style
    Deconstructivism
    Height
    25 m (82 ft)
    Stories
    4
    Today
    Art Museum

  6. Minnesota State Capitol

    75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55155

    The architect of the U.S. Supreme Court designed this impressive seat of state government. It features the world’s second-largest self-supported marble dome, trailing only St. Peter's in Rome. The exterior is constructed from white Georgia marble and is topped by a gold-leafed chariot statue. Inside, the grand chambers are filled with historical paintings and ornate architectural details. After a massive restoration, the building continues to function as the active center of Minnesota politics.

    Built
    1905
    Architect
    Cass Gilbert
    Style
    Renaissance Revival
    Height
    68 m (223 ft)
    Stories
    3
    Today
    State Capitol

  7. Mill City Museum

    704 S 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55415

    The museum is uniquely built within the limestone ruins of what was once the world's largest flour mill. After a devastating fire in 1991, the remaining shell was preserved as a historic monument. Architects integrated modern glass and steel elements into the original ruins to create a museum space. It now tells the industrial story of Minneapolis through interactive exhibits and a multi-story elevator show. The courtyard remains one of the most popular and atmospheric outdoor spaces in the city.

    Built
    2003
    Architect
    Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle
    Style
    Industrial Ruin / Contemporary
    Height
    35 m (115 ft)
    Stories
    8
    Today
    Museum / Historic Site
  8. Landmark Center
    Photo: w_lemay, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Landmark Center

    75 W 5th St, St. Paul, MN 55102

    This castle-like structure in St. Paul is defined by its red-tiled peaks and cylindrical turrets. Originally serving as a federal courthouse, it witnessed the trials of famous 1930s gangsters. Notorious figures like John Dillinger and Baby Face Nelson once walked through these grand hallways. Today, the building has been repurposed as a vibrant hub for community arts and cultural events. It stands as a cornerstone of Rice Park and a reminder of the city's legal history.

    Built
    1902
    Architect
    Willoughby J. Edbrooke
    Style
    Romanesque Revival
    Height
    40 m (131 ft)
    Stories
    5
    Today
    Arts & Cultural Center
  9. U.S. Bank Stadium
    Photo: Lectrician2, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    U.S. Bank Stadium

    401 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55415

    Widely known as the 'Nordic Ship,' this stadium features a bold and angular neo-futurist design. Its massive slanting roof was specifically engineered to shed heavy Minnesota snow efficiently. The building utilizes a specialized plastic roof that allows maximum sunlight to reach the field below. It boasts the world's largest pivoting glass doors which open the stadium to the downtown air. This structure has become a dominant landmark on the eastern edge of the Minneapolis skyline.

    Built
    2016
    Architect
    HKS, Inc.
    Style
    Neo-Futurism
    Height
    82 m (269 ft)
    Stories
    7
    Today
    NFL Stadium / Venue
  10. James J. Hill House
    Photo: McGhiever, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    James J. Hill House

    240 Summit Ave, St. Paul, MN 55102

    This massive mansion was the home of the 'Empire Builder' and is the largest Gilded Age residence in the state. The house is equipped with twenty-two fireplaces and a grand 100-foot-long reception hall. A unique feature of the interior is a fully integrated pipe organ located in the gallery. Its rugged pink sandstone exterior serves as a textbook example of the Richardsonian Romanesque style. It now operates as a historic house museum, offering a glimpse into the life of a railroad tycoon.

    Built
    1891
    Architect
    Peabody & Stearns
    Style
    Richardsonian Romanesque
    Height
    18 m (59 ft)
    Stories
    3
    Today
    Historic House Museum
  11. Mall of America
    Photo: Farragutful, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Mall of America

    60 E Broadway, Bloomington, MN 55425

    The Mall of America is a massive retail and entertainment complex that functions like a city within a building. It features a central glass skylight that illuminates an entire indoor theme park called Nickelodeon Universe. Interestingly, the building lacks a central heating system and relies on solar energy and body heat. It attracts millions of visitors annually, making it one of the most visited tourist spots in the world. The structure represents a peak in contemporary megastructure design and urban consumerism.

    Built
    1992
    Architect
    Jerde Partnership
    Style
    Contemporary Megastructure
    Height
    28 m (92 ft)
    Stories
    4
    Today
    Retail / Entertainment Complex
  12. Basilica of Saint Mary
    Photo: August Schwerdfeger, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Basilica of Saint Mary

    1600 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403

    This landmark was the very first basilica established within the United States. Its grand Beaux-Arts exterior and prominent dome dominate the western approach to downtown Minneapolis. Beyond its religious functions, the site is a major center for local art and music history. It famously hosts the annual Basilica Block Party, attracting thousands of music fans to its grounds. The architectural style blends classical revival elements to create a sense of timelessness and grandeur.

    Built
    1914
    Architect
    Emmanuel Louis Masqueray
    Style
    Beaux-Arts / Classical Revival
    Height
    61 m (200 ft)
    Stories
    1
    Today
    Basilica / National Shrine
  13. Riverside Plaza
    Photo: August Schwerdfeger, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Riverside Plaza

    1601 4th St S, Minneapolis, MN 55454

    Riverside Plaza is a high-density residential complex often described as a 'city within a city.' Its most recognizable features are the multi-colored panels and the stark Brutalist concrete towers. The project was originally designed to promote social and economic diversity within an urban setting. Fans of classic television recognize the buildings from the closing credits of 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show.' It remains a significant and controversial landmark of Modernist urban planning in the Midwest.

    Built
    1973
    Architect
    Ralph Rapson
    Style
    Brutalism / Modernist
    Height
    140 m (459 ft)
    Stories
    39
    Today
    Residential / Community Hub

More cities in North America

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