The area that is now Minneapolis – St. Paul was once home to people of the Dakota Sioux Nation. A fertile valley lay between the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers, the area became a common stop for early French traders. As more people migrated west, the Mdewakanton Sioux ceded much of their land. By the mid 1800s, the area was completely incorporated. The US government had established several military installation in the region most notably Fort Snelling.
The abundance of water and timber combined with access to a major waterway helped to propel Minneapolis into the 20th Century. Long known for sawmills and milling, the area relied on water power to expand. It was not long before other industries settled in the area including textile and steel. Railroad access was established in the later half of the 1800s and bridge building across the Mississippi river began somewhat earlier. With multiple transportation routes established, trade and manufacturing grew along with the population.
When it came to the construction of commercial buildings Minneapolis found itself in a very unique position. In the late 1800s, the city government instituted a restriction on the height of buildings in the city of 100 feet. The reasons for the restriction seem to stem from concerns about competition for commercially available space. Even after the limit was defied, it remained in place but was later abandoned. The result is a skyline that rivals that of many comparable cities with a combination of modern designs and old world architecture. Today, several buildings along the Minneapolis skyline approach 800 feet in height.
IDS Tower
The Minneapolis skyline is anchored by the IDS Tower. Rising over 790 feet above the downtown area, the IDS Tower was completed in 1972. The gleaming glass exterior stands out along the skyline, especially at night. Like many skyscrapers, the IDS Tower featured an observation deck but the space was eventually converted to office space.
The Capella Tower
This ultra modern skyscraper was designed in part by the world famous architect I.M. Pei. With over 1.4 million square feet of office and commercial space, this jewel of the Minneapolis skyline stands over 770 feet above South Sixth Street. It took nearly four years to complete this impressive structure that features a unique roof line that gives the building a halo effect.
Wells Fargo Center
A mere one foot shorter than its neighbor on Sixth Street, the Wells Fargo Center is a beautiful skyscraper that features a classic Art Deco design. Completed in 1988, the building shares the look and feel of other Art Deco masterpieces like the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building in New York City.
Minneapolis City Hall
This granite classic is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and has stood proudly along the city skyline since 1888. A beautiful example of Romanesque architecture, the building has been rehabilitated several times. In the 1940s a copper roof was added that enhances the buildings clock tower.
The Minneapolis skyline is a panoramic jewel and Minneapolis Skyline.com has some beautiful pictures and panoramas that will enhance the decor of any home or office.
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