Northwestern National Life Building

The Northwestern National Life Building is an office tower in Minneapolis featuring 63 white concrete columns that form a monumental entrance portico as the building's main visual element. Multiple office floors rise above this dramatic colonnade, with reflecting pools and landscaped grounds surrounding the structure to create visual interest around its base.

Architect Minoru Yamasaki designed the building in 1965 as headquarters for Northwestern National Life Insurance Company to replace their previous, smaller offices. This project became a defining example of postwar modernist architecture for the city and influenced how subsequent corporate buildings were designed.

The building expresses 1960s modernism through its clean geometric forms and emphasis on straight lines, reflecting the era's embrace of simplicity and functional design.

The building is accessible from Washington Avenue with convenient connections to public transportation nearby, making it easy to reach from different parts of the city. The surrounding plaza with pools and landscaping offers space to walk around and view the structure from various angles before moving on to other neighborhood attractions.

The columns were made from concrete mixed with quartz, creating subtle reflective surfaces that change appearance depending on lighting conditions throughout the day. This uncommon material choice was rarely used in other major building projects of that era.

Location: Minneapolis

Architects: Minoru Yamasaki

Official opening: 1965

GPS coordinates: 44.98170,-93.26750

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:03