From its sleek lines to its intricate details, the Rand Tower has truly retained its’ classic beauty and elegance.  It is one of the premier skyscrapers occupying the downtown Minneapolis landscape.

Rand Tower’s exterior is distinctly art deco, an extremely sophisticated and upscale architectural style during the 1920s and 1930s.

The Rand Tower was built by Rufus R. Rand, Jr., a member of the family which owned the Minneapolis Gas Company. He was inducted into the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame in 1993.

The limestone exterior of the Rand Tower contains amazingly detailed hand carvings – most of which emphasize Rufus Rand’s passion with flying.

Prominently displayed in the main lobby of the Tower is the beautiful statue “Wings”,  hand carved and designed by famed sculptor, Oskar J.W. Hansen.  Hansen was especially well-known in the Southwest where in 1935, he was awarded the commission to sculpt nearly 40 colossal figures for the Hoover Dam in Arizona.

The Rand Tower has been designed with indirect lighting, and panels of glass etched to simulate clouds which add to its unique architectural effectiveness as a symbol of aviation. 

The truly one-of-kind main lobby and Rand’s hallways are decorated in marble, glass, nickel, and vividly colored enamel.  The Rand lobbies on the Marquette Avenue side are faced with Tosa grey Nelle marble set in large slabs with panels of matching grain. 


The art-deco style continues into the interior with additional aviation inspired terrazzo floors with moon and star inlays, and an elegant curved staircase compliments the decadent decor of the entire building.

On April 14, 1994, Rand Tower was added to the National Register of Historical Places (Building #84003937) which qualifies buildings which are significant in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and culture.

National Register of Historical Places Listing
Rand Tower (added 1994 - Building - #84003937)
Also known as Dain Tower
527--529 Marquette Ave., Minneapolis
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer: Holabird & Root, Haglin, C.F., & Sons 
Architectural Style: Moderne 
Area of Significance:  Architecture 
Period of Significance:  1925-1949
Owner: Private 
Historic Function: Commerce/Trade
Current Function:  Commerce/Trade 
 
 

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