Comments on: Tallest Building in Minneapolis. http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/9407 Minneapolis + St. Paul Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:23:37 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Keith Brooks Oudal http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/9407#comment-107790 Keith Brooks Oudal Mon, 27 Aug 2007 11:47:43 +0000 #comment-107790 For many years Minneapolitans walked around in a daze thinking that a priori, oh yes, of course the IDS Building is the tallest building in Minneapolis. Really? For many years Minneapolitans walked around in a daze thinking that a priori, oh yes, of course the IDS Building is the tallest building in Minneapolis. Really?

]]> By: kwatt http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/9407#comment-46512 kwatt Thu, 24 Aug 2006 01:34:00 +0000 #comment-46512 How long will that last? I heard it's turning into one of those ultra upscale W hotels. How long will that last? I heard it’s turning into one of those ultra upscale W hotels.

]]> By: Clue Master http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/9407#comment-46220 Clue Master Tue, 22 Aug 2006 04:59:30 +0000 #comment-46220 <em>You shouldn't have to have connections to do cool stuff like that.</em><br /> <br /> I totally agree. I was way bummed when you couldn't go to the top of the IDS anymore. I did manage a few times at the Windows lounge and a couple of weddings later on but it just wasn't the same. My wife and I went up to the observation decks of both the Sears and Hancock towers in Chicago. They didn't look like they were going broke by all the long lines and people buying trinkets. I'm sure one of the three downtown big boys could pull it off. As far as I know, that top floor of the IDS where they cater parties sits dead most of the time. Seems like a no brainer to me.<br /> I'm glad the Foshay opened up their observation deck once again. And that's even outside! You shouldn’t have to have connections to do cool stuff like that.

I totally agree. I was way bummed when you couldn’t go to the top of the IDS anymore. I did manage a few times at the Windows lounge and a couple of weddings later on but it just wasn’t the same. My wife and I went up to the observation decks of both the Sears and Hancock towers in Chicago. They didn’t look like they were going broke by all the long lines and people buying trinkets. I’m sure one of the three downtown big boys could pull it off. As far as I know, that top floor of the IDS where they cater parties sits dead most of the time. Seems like a no brainer to me.
I’m glad the Foshay opened up their observation deck once again. And that’s even outside!

]]> By: kwatt http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/9407#comment-46110 kwatt Mon, 21 Aug 2006 18:35:58 +0000 #comment-46110 My point with the fireworks was that they don't even go 750 feet up in the air. Pathetic! On a clear July 4 back home you can see multiple fireworks shows from your own front yard if you're facing the right direction. <br /> <br /> Oh, I see, there's a little space in there. Yikes! Why doesn't anybody have tower tours or something where people can go the the tops of them and walk around and stuff. You shouldn't have to have connections to do cool stuff like that. My point with the fireworks was that they don’t even go 750 feet up in the air. Pathetic! On a clear July 4 back home you can see multiple fireworks shows from your own front yard if you’re facing the right direction.

Oh, I see, there’s a little space in there. Yikes! Why doesn’t anybody have tower tours or something where people can go the the tops of them and walk around and stuff. You shouldn’t have to have connections to do cool stuff like that.

]]> By: Clue Master http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/9407#comment-46055 Clue Master Mon, 21 Aug 2006 05:55:02 +0000 #comment-46055 <em>how a person gets to be on top of these buildings? </em><br /> <br /> Connections<br /> <br /> <em>Is the Halo solid? Can you sit on it?</em><br /> <br /> It's solid but I wouldn't want to climb out on the beam to get there. <br /> <br /> <em>there's no way I could see them from that far</em><br /> <br /> I agree. The main thing to remember is that fireworks always look better around water. I suppose they could do them from one of the lakes but they don't have the bridges to support such a big display.<br /> <br /> Incidentally, St. Paul Park's fireworks were tonight. They were pretty lame but we found a spot along the other side of the river that helped with the display that you wouldn't find anywhere near where they were actually shot from. Which helped make up for how small of a show it was.<br /> <br /> how a person gets to be on top of these buildings?

Connections

Is the Halo solid? Can you sit on it?

It’s solid but I wouldn’t want to climb out on the beam to get there.

there’s no way I could see them from that far

I agree. The main thing to remember is that fireworks always look better around water. I suppose they could do them from one of the lakes but they don’t have the bridges to support such a big display.

Incidentally, St. Paul Park’s fireworks were tonight. They were pretty lame but we found a spot along the other side of the river that helped with the display that you wouldn’t find anywhere near where they were actually shot from. Which helped make up for how small of a show it was.

]]> By: kwatt http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/9407#comment-46052 kwatt Mon, 21 Aug 2006 03:08:21 +0000 #comment-46052 Will somebody clue me in as to how a person gets to be on top of these buildings? So many seem to be able to do it so regularly. Is the Halo solid? Can you sit on it? That would be sweet. <br /> <br /> Incidentally, those pictures show why I can never see the fireworks from Uptown. If you're on top of a building looking down on them, there's no way I could see them from that far. Which is disappointing, because at home in Iowa we can see fireworks from 30 miles away. Will somebody clue me in as to how a person gets to be on top of these buildings? So many seem to be able to do it so regularly. Is the Halo solid? Can you sit on it? That would be sweet.

Incidentally, those pictures show why I can never see the fireworks from Uptown. If you’re on top of a building looking down on them, there’s no way I could see them from that far. Which is disappointing, because at home in Iowa we can see fireworks from 30 miles away.

]]> By: Clue Master http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/9407#comment-46051 Clue Master Sun, 20 Aug 2006 21:38:47 +0000 #comment-46051 <edit> That picture is showing the highest point a person can stand. The actual highest point in the cities are the Telefarm Towers in Shoreview followed by the radio towers on the IDS. That picture is showing the highest point a person can stand. The actual highest point in the cities are the Telefarm Towers in Shoreview followed by the radio towers on the IDS.

]]> By: Clue Master http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/9407#comment-46049 Clue Master Sun, 20 Aug 2006 20:54:15 +0000 #comment-46049 FYI - Here's what the highest point in the Twin Cities looks like. I've stood up there. I can vouch for the claim. You actually look down on the halo. <strong>WOW!</strong><br /> <br /> <img src=http://static.flickr.com/67/220279590_0f2903af57.jpg?v=0> FYI – Here’s what the highest point in the Twin Cities looks like. I’ve stood up there. I can vouch for the claim. You actually look down on the halo. WOW!

]]> By: Clue Master http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/9407#comment-46048 Clue Master Sun, 20 Aug 2006 20:51:14 +0000 #comment-46048 <em>It's why Norwest didn't build taller than IDS when it went up.</em><br /> <br /> Very interesting THX. I didn't know that. Huh It’s why Norwest didn’t build taller than IDS when it went up.

Very interesting THX. I didn’t know that. Huh

]]> By: Clue Master http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/9407#comment-46047 Clue Master Sun, 20 Aug 2006 20:42:28 +0000 #comment-46047 It's all debatable since there are really 4 criteria to measure a building's heighth.<br /> 1) Tip Height - measured to the absolute top <br /> 2) Structural height - measured to the last 'integral structural element' <br /> 3) Highest occupied floor<br /> 4) Roof height<br /> <br /> Nonetheless, the World Council on Tall Buildings has decided that criteria #2 is the only one that counts<br /> <br /> http://www.646industries.com/mt/beyond_s/archives/000088.html<br /> <br /> So the IDS does officially rank #1 according to the WCTB. But I can still climb up to one of the landings located next to the halo on 225 and look down on the window washing shack of the IDS. I just don't think it would be easy to rent out that landing is all. ;-) It’s all debatable since there are really 4 criteria to measure a building’s heighth.
1) Tip Height – measured to the absolute top
2) Structural height – measured to the last ‘integral structural element’
3) Highest occupied floor
4) Roof height

Nonetheless, the World Council on Tall Buildings has decided that criteria #2 is the only one that counts

http://www.646industries.com/mt/beyond_s/archives/000088.html

So the IDS does officially rank #1 according to the WCTB. But I can still climb up to one of the landings located next to the halo on 225 and look down on the window washing shack of the IDS. I just don’t think it would be easy to rent out that landing is all. ;-)

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