Foshay Tower Observation Deck
Explore the Foshay Tower Observation Deck during your next visit to Minneapolis. The Foshay Tower was the first skyscraper built in the state of Minnesota and remained the tallest building in Minneapolis from 1929-1971. The Foshay Tower is significant to Minneapolis and the State of Minnesota as a unique example of architectural design and engineering.
Foshay Museum and Observation Deck Hours of Operation:
Open Monday- Saturday: 10am-6pm
Thursdays (beginning May 1) 10am-9pm
Observation Deck Winter Hours are subject to the weather. Please call ahead.
Museum and Observation Deck Admission:
Seniors (65+) $5
Children Under 12 Free
Foshay Tower Facts
- The Foshay Tower received its name from Wilbur Foshay, the original owner and builder.
- It was modeled after the Washington Monument as a tribute to George Washington.
- Construction on the 32-story structure began in 1927 and ended in August 1929. It was the tallest building in this area for four decades.
- The shape and method of construction were developed by Wilbur Foshay and Gottlieb R. Magney. They received a patent from the U.S. Patent Office for both.
- The Tower is faced with Indiana Bedford Limestone and has 750 Window bays. Foshay claimed it could withstand winds up to 400mph.
- It was the first building to be built completely with all-union labor.
- Building height is 447 feet, 3 inches. The mast on the top is 160 feet. It is 60 feet below ground with four basement levels.
- The dimensions are 81 feet by 87 feet at its base and 59 feet by 65 feet at the top. The building contains 2,599,666 cubic feet.
- The “Foshay Tower - Washington Memorial March” was written for the Foshay Dedication Ceremonies by John Phillip Sousa.
- The Tower Observation Deck is located on the 30th floor. You can see approximately 30 miles on a clear day.
- The “Foshay” lights are 10 feet tall and 44 feet across. They are lit by approximately 900 60-watt bulbs.
- The Foshay Tower was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
- In January of 1981, a huge yellow ribbon was put around the Tower to welcome home the hostages from Iran. February 13, 1981 was designated as “Yellow Ribbon Day” in Minnesota.
- In 1987, the Foshay Tower was adorned with a 50-foot by 50-foot banner (the largest ever installed on a high-rise office building) congratulating the Minnesota Twins for their championship year.
- In 2008, the renovated Foshay Tower reopened as the W Minneapolis - The Foshay, a 229 room hotel featuring