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IDS Tower (#66)

IDS Tower
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copyright © 2000 Chris Gregerson. Available format: 1.2 megapixel (1280 x 960 total resolution)
picture date: 2000-02-18

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The most recognizable feature of the Minneapolis skyline, the IDS building. This was Minneapolis's second skyscraper, after the Foshay Tower(built ca.1930). For a long time, this was the only significant feature of the skyline. Some say it still is, but the Wells Fargo tower and the US Bank building are about the same height. The ground floor of the IDS has retail space in an indoor plaza with a vaulted, see-through ceiling called the Crystal Court.

I can still remember when the IDS WAS the skyline for many years. It is still regarded highly by most residents, and is respected as our first modern skyscraper.

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  • Gary   Burnsville -- 2000-04-25

    Nice picture.

  • Kristina   Minneapolis -- 2000-06-26

    Awesome picture. To bad Minneapolis didn't have the world's tallest building to go with the Mall of America. It might be great for our econmic statis. Mabey we should do Frank Wright's idea, and build the 1mile tall building. We could put a transformation subway under the building to get everyonr there. Make it a little wider for more office space, and you've got yourself a great building for Minneapolis. I guess. If not, it would be great for publicity.

  • Geloc   Minneapolis -- 2000-06-28

    Who design the IDS tower anyways man, can't you put the guy who design the Building next to the building!!!!!

  • Drew   Minneapolis -- 2000-09-10

    I really enjoyed your pictures!
    I also take pictures of Skylines and
    skyscrapers. I think MPLS is a very
    beutiful city!

  • Sean   Edina -- 2001-02-02

    I'm 15 years old, and I have grown up seeing the Norwest and FirstBank buildings all of my life. Its hard for me to imagine an empty skyline like that existed in Minneapolis only 20 years ago!

  • Sean   Edina -- 2001-02-02

    I'm 15 years old, and I have grown up seeing the Norwest and FirstBank buildings all of my life. Its hard for me to imagine an empty skyline like that existed in Minneapolis only 20 years ago!

  • Laker   Minneapolis -- 2001-04-08

    The main architect of the IDS Center is the renown Philip Johnson, born 1906 and still alive and kicking today. To me the simple glass honesty of the IDS tower is much more representative of the personality of Minneapolis and Minnesota than the loud/flashy/gaudy and overtly corporate WellsFargo and US Bank towers. I never feel I am really home after a trip away until I see its outline on the way home from the airport. Its a beautiful building and an international architectural landmark, we should be very proud to have it in our home :)

  • mjparletta   NYC -- 2001-09-22

    How tall is the IDS Tower?

  • Mindy   -- 2001-11-05

    this is a good picture!
    :)
    %)
    :0

  • coco   Detroit Lakes -- 2002-01-23

    What does IDS stand For?

  • Adam   Chisago City, MN -- 2002-02-18

    The IDS building is an architectural masterpiece. It was designed by Philip Johnson and completed in 1976. Rising to a height of 776 feet, it is easily Minnesota's tallest building. Situated below the tower is the complex's crystal court, which consists of a multi-tiered glass roof, shops and a 100 foot indoor waterfall constructed in the renovation of '94, completing Johnson's original vision for the Center. To the best of my knowledge, the acronym stands for Industrial Diversified Services. The tower stands as a beacon for the city, proclaiming its modern and progressive nature. I wish more people would realize the beauty, attractions and architectural monuments the Twin Cities has to offer. The Twin Cities is truly a wonderful place!

  • Jared   St. Paul -- 2002-05-31

    Get a good view of this building in the latest thrasher magazine, where STEVE NESSER pulls a beautiful frontside flip down the over the thick rail gap

  • Christopher   Anoka, MN, a few miles N of Mpls -- 2002-06-30

    Fortunately (or in some cases unfortunately) the Empire State building in Manhattan is the tallest tower in the world, but we all know that wasn't the case prior to September 11, 2001, when the twin towers were the tallest towers in the world. But back to the IDS tower in Minneapolis, MN, it is the most recognizeable tower in the midwest in my mind along with the Sears tower in Chicago, IL. It is a beautiful picture nonetheless.

  • Dan   White Bear Lake, MN -- 2002-07-10

    IDS stands for Investor's Diversified Services - a financial services company. This excellent photo really shows its elegantly simple, yet distinctive, architecture.

  • Blondie Stargaze   Portland, Maine -- 2002-09-05

    Rust never sleeps.

  • Rob Lent   Minneapolis -- 2002-09-09

    I remember when the Foshay Tower was the only skyscraper. When I was about 8 years old, we were visiting the Twin Cities for the State Fair, and we decided to go to the top of the Foshay Tower. It was closed that day, but I do remember seing the contruction site for the IDS tower.
    After that, I remember seeing the IDS tower from a distance as you approached Minneapolis. The building reflected the sky, and it looked as if you were seeing through it, as if it were not quite real. Coming from a small town where the tallest building was the town water tower, the IDS tower seemed like it really wasn't quite real, like it was almost magical.
    I have visited the top of the IDS Tower, it is a shame the observation deck is closed.

  • Matt   Cottage Grove -- 2003-01-15

    last summer I visited the IDS with my dad. I took the elevator up, but when I got to the top, I suddenly just got this fear of elevators.I mean I was petrified! I would not take it down,so I walked down. I still wont take elevators. and ilust went there a little while ago and I realized the stairs were only for a fire exit, so I wish youcould open it up for the public and for people like me.

  • JP   Brooklyn Park -- 2004-02-22

    Earlier comments state that the Empire State building is currently the tallest in the world (after 9/11). There are several taller, including the John Hancock in Chicago.

  • Anna   Maple Grove -- 2004-10-07

    I just visited the IDS Crystal Court once again today, and to clarify the acronym, the inside of the IDS has the words "International Decision Systems". I am not aware of when the change might have occurred. But regardless, what a beautiful and impressive building.

  • Bill   Austin -- 2005-02-18

    I do think the IDS tower is truly a thing of beauty, and what most impresses me, is how more sculpted it looks the closer you get to it. One of Phillip Johnsons masterpieces, and may that great man rest in peace. I also like the Wells Fargo tower as well, just for it's classic design and lines. also very eye catching...but the IDS went up first, and occupies a warm spot in my heart. I remember going up to the observation deck, and unfortunately it was on a cloudy day. :-{(} I know that that deck is no more, that it's now a restaurant. In a way, I'm ok with that, because talk about a wonderfully romantic spot to take someone special. And there's still the observation deck at the Foshay Bldg. And somehow it seems proper that that grand old piece of work, should have a deck.

  • Ben   Mpls -- 2005-06-05

    Earlier posting about the Twin Towers is way off. The North Tower was the world's tallest bldg for a scant eight months following its completion in 1973. Chicago's Sears Tower took the honor, then lost it to Malaysia's Petronas Towers in 1998. In 2003, Taiwan snared the title after the Taipei Financial Center (aka Taipei 101) was topped out.

  • Kevin Stirtz   Burnsville, MN -- 2005-08-14

    I believe the name "IDS" stands for "Investors Diversified Services" a financial services company that became part of the American Express group many years ago.

  • Michael   Minneapolis -- 2005-11-21

    The 50th floor of the IDS tower is owned by the Marquette Hotel. They use it as a banquet space and is an extremely popular (and expensive) venue for weddings and corporate events. If you'd like to see the amazing view, I know they have a champagne brunch every sunday. The food is amazing so I highly recommend it to everyone.

  • Avian   Minneapolis -- 2005-12-03

    Yes, IDS always stood for Investor's Diversified Services. It was eventually acquired by American Express, but now is once again independent and thankfully headquartered in Minneapolis though not in this tower. The new corporate name is "Ameriprise."
    The IDS tower technically lost the title of the city's tallest building when 225 South Sixth was built. It regained the title when it was determined that the 19-foot-high window washing structure on its roof should be counted as part of the structure of the building. So the IDS tower is now officially 794 feet high. Counting the two 111-foot radio masts the total height is 905 feet.

  • HELEN   vENICE, FLORIDA -- 2006-04-11

    I grew up in Dakota County and have been in Florida 60 yrs. I took two grandchildren to Mpls. just to go to to the IDS bldg. and to the top . What a thrill for all of us.

  • BOB3443   WOODBURY, MN -- 2007-11-13

    The Empire State Building is not the tallest building in America nor is the Hancok in Chicago. However the Sears Tower in Chicago is currently the tallest building in the U.S.A.
    Somewhere in the Orient is the tallest building in the world even when the WTC was still standing. That building is truly a real work of art.

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2000-04-18

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