Wells Fargo Center

In 1982, a fire ravaged the Northwestern National Bank Building. From its ashes rose the Wells Fargo Center. This building we stand before isn’t just steel and stone. It’s a phoenix, reborn from disaster. The Wells Fargo Center stands tall at 774 feet. It’s the third-tallest building in Minneapolis. The design, by César Pelli, echoes the Art Deco style of nearby buildings. Look closely, and you’ll see hints of the Foshay Tower and CenturyLink Building in its form. Some even say it pays homage to 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City. The original plan was for an even taller structure, a 45-story giant that would have dwarfed the Minneapolis skyline. However, the site size was reduced, leading to the sleek, 57-story design we see today. The Wells Fargo Center is more than just an office building. It’s home to significant regional operations for Wells Fargo, even though the company’s headquarters moved to San Francisco. The law firm Faegre Drinker and the accounting firm KPMG also call this place home. When night falls, look up. Floodlights illuminate the setbacks, creating a dramatic spectacle against the night sky. This illumination, however, doesn’t mean it’s an energy hog. In fact, the Wells Fargo Center is renowned for its energy efficiency. It was even recognized by the EPA as one of the 100 most energy-efficient buildings in the US. There’s a ghost of a museum here too. A branch of the Wells Fargo History Museum once resided in the skyway level. It housed stagecoaches, telegraph equipment, and gold nuggets. Sadly, it closed in 2020. The Wells Fargo Center reminds us that even from destruction, something magnificent can emerge.