Wilbur Foshay famously commissioned a private radio station, WFOY, to broadcast from the building's penthouse.
At its 1929 inauguration, the building's celebration lasted three days and featured a commissioned march titled the 'Foshay Tower Washington Memorial March' by John Philip Sousa.
The structure's exterior is clad in Indiana limestone and retains its original vertical setbacks.
The building was modeled after the Washington Monument, including its distinctive tapering silhouette.
During the Great Depression, the tower became a symbol of financial ruin after Foshay's business empire collapsed shortly after the building's opening.
The Foshay Museum and Observation Deck is located on the 30th floor of the W Minneapolis - The Foshay, a historic Art Deco skyscraper completed in 1929. Designed to resemble the Washington Monument, the tower stands 447 feet tall and was once the tallest building in Minneapolis for over 50 years. The museum preserves the office of Wilbur Foshay, the building's original developer, featuring preserved furniture and artifacts from the late 1920s. Visitors access an outdoor observation deck providing a 360-degree panoramic view of downtown Minneapolis. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and underwent significant restoration during its conversion into a hotel. It remains a primary example of Art Deco commercial architecture in the Midwest.
The corners of the outdoor observation deck for unobstructed views of the city grid.
Access the observation deck through the hotel lobby's museum entrance.
Check the weather forecast before visiting, as the outdoor deck may close during high winds or severe lightning storms.
Combine your visit with a drink at the hotel's Prohibition Bar for a complete Art Deco experience.
Do not expect a large, expansive museum; the primary attraction is the historic office and the outdoor observation deck.
The observation deck is occasionally closed for private events; check the hotel's status before arrival.
