Soaring above Minneapolis stands Wells Fargo Place a testament to ambition and architectural prowess. This isn’t just another skyscraper. It’s a story etched in glass steel and concrete. A story of fire and rebirth.
Before Wells Fargo Place existed there was the Northwestern National Bank Building. A grand structure sadly lost to a devastating fire in 1982. Two years later it was imploded making way for something new. The initial design envisioned a 45-story behemoth the tallest in Minneapolis. Fate intervened however. The available land was reduced in size. This necessitated a change of plans. The result is the magnificent 57-story Wells Fargo Place we see today.
Designed by the renowned Cesar Pelli Wells Fargo Place opened in 1988. It’s a stunning example of modernized art deco echoing the aesthetic of nearby architectural gems like the CenturyLink Building and the Foshay Tower. Many consider it an homage to 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City. Its height of 775 feet makes it the third tallest building in Minneapolis after the IDS Center and Capella Tower. For years its height was believed to be one foot shorter than Capella Tower. However records show the contrary.
Initially known as Norwest Center the building housed the headquarters of Norwest Corporation. When Norwest merged with Wells Fargo in 1998 the building took on its current name. Even with the company’s headquarters relocating to San Francisco significant regional operations remain within its walls. Today major tenants include Faegre Drinker a law firm and the local KPMG office.
Wells Fargo Place isn’t just about business. It was once home to a branch of the Wells Fargo History Museum. Imagine this a skyway level museum showcasing an 1863 stagecoach. Telegraphs gold nuggets and coins were on display. It was a fascinating piece of history sadly closed in September 2020.
This building has seen its share of financial transactions. In 2019 Starwood Capital Group acquired it for $315 million. A significant drop in value to $85 million marked its most recent sale in December 2024 to Onward Investors.
From a fiery demise of its predecessor to its current status as a modern marvel Wells Fargo Place stands tall. A beacon of progress a symbol of Minneapolis’s enduring spirit. It’s a building that speaks of resilience innovation and a remarkable architectural legacy.