Fifty years ago the iconic IDS tower became the centerpiece of downtown Minneapolis and dwarfed the Foshay Tower, which had been the tallest building in Minneapolis since 1929.
For half a century, the IDS Center has been the centerpiece of the downtown Minneapolis skyline and a landmark for business and commerce in the Twin Cities. Completed in 1972, it remains one of the most prominent properties west of the Mississippi River and is still considered the tallest building in Minneapolis. It includes nearly 2 million square feet of mixed-used/office space, a 2-story retail center, and The Crystal Court, its famous 8-story urban park inspired by San Marco plaza in Venice.
The 19-story four diamond Marquette Hotel was also an integral part of the design and the firm of architect Philip Johnson, who was a long-time collector of Andy Warhol’s work, commissioned Warhol to do a series of prints for the hotel.
In 1972 Andy Warhol printed 632 Sunset prints, each made unique by using three screens… one for the background bands of color, one for the sun itself, and one with a single-dot pattern. He inked the screens in different color combinations to make each print unique. 472 of the prints were used in the hotel and the 160 remaining prints were bundled into 40 unique portfolios of four prints.
Imagine a stay at a luxurious 4-diamond hotel with a fabulous sunset in the form of an original Andy Warhol print in your room! In addition to the unique Andy Warhol prints, Johnson furnished the guest rooms with purple vinyl bedspreads, shag carpets and flocked wallpaper… quite an experience!
When the Marquette Hotel was renovated in 1981, the 472 prints were removed and returned to Warhol. He signed, dated and numbered these prints on the back and stamped in black “Hotel Marquette Prints.” The prints you see in the photo above are examples of these prints, available for sale at Revolver Gallery in West Hollywood, CA.
Fifty years later, an even more luxurious hotel is opening in downtown Minneapolis. Four Seasons, the only 5-star hotel in the Twin Cities, opens in June 2022. It includes a unique collection of 34 Private Residences available for sale.
