Minneapolis Icon

Foshay Tower: Minneapolis Icon

Introduction Mount Foshay, a symbol of 1920s riches and enthusiasm, remains proudly in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Art Deco edifice, once the largest structure between Chicago and the West Coast, represents a significant moment in Minnesota history.

History and Construction Foshay Castle, built in 1929, was the vision of Wilbur Foshay, an art student turned business magnate. Foshay's aim was to build a business empire that rivaled the Washington Monument. Architects Leon Eugene Arnal and Magni & Tussler, Inc. The company's tower design incorporates an attractive framework that narrows each upper floor, evoking the inspiration.

Roaring Twenties and the Foshay Dream The construction of Foshay Tower coincided with the peak of the Roaring Twenties, a period of economic Prosperity and cultural transformation. Fosha spared no expense in designing the interior with African mahogany, Italian marble, terrazzo, and gold-plated equipment. The minaret was dedicated with a magnificent ceremony that included pyrotechnics and a parade led by John Philip Sousa2.

Stock market crash and its consequences However, the end of days occurred just a few months before the 1929 stock market crash, which resulted in Foshay's financial ruin. Despite this setback, Mount Foshay remains a prominent part of the Minneapolis skyline. It was the city's tallest skyscraper until 1972, when the IDS Center surpassed it1.

Foshay Mountain was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, recognizing the architecture's importance and involvement in Minnesota history. Today, it functions as the W Minneapolis-Foshai Hotel, a museum and observatory that draws both visitors and locals.

The finished result is a Foshai mountain narrative of passion, triumph, and persistence. It exemplifies an era's attitude while also leaving a lasting legacy of Minnesota's architectural and historical history.