Great Northern Hotel

The Great Northern Hotel in Minneapolis was a prominent railroad hotel built in 1891 to accommodate passengers traveling on James J. Hill’s Great Northern Railway. The project was financed in part by Minneapolis lumber magnate T. B. Walker, who saw the hotel as a symbol of the city’s rising prosperity. Located on Second Avenue South near Washington Avenue, it was strategically positioned near the rail yards to serve both business and leisure travelers.

Designed in the Romanesque Revival style with Victorian influences, the hotel featured rugged stonework, rounded arches, and richly detailed interiors. At its peak, it offered fine dining, luxury accommodations, and even hosted prominent guests, making it a fixture of Minneapolis’s early hospitality scene. However, as rail travel declined and newer hotels emerged, the Great Northern Hotel struggled to remain profitable.

It was ultimately demolished in 1940, and its story is often mistakenly conflated with the Great Northern Depot, a separate station built in 1914 and torn down in 1978. Today, its legacy lives on through archival photographs, local history collections, and its role in shaping Minneapolis’s railroad-era identity.

Interesting Facts

• Built in 1891, financed in part by lumber baron T. B. Walker.
• Designed in Romanesque Revival style with Victorian detailing.
• Located on Second Avenue South and Washington Avenue in downtown Minneapolis.
• Served Great Northern Railway travelers during the city’s peak as a railroad hub.
• Known for its luxury accommodations and dining in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• Demolished in 1940; its story is often confused with the Great Northern Depot (1914–1978).

Best Time to Visit

• Since the hotel no longer exists, visit historic districts and railway heritage sites in Minneapolis.
• Spring (Apr–Jun): Ideal for walking tours of downtown and riverfront landmarks.
• Summer (Jul–Aug): Festival season, with cultural events and outdoor activities.
• Fall (Sep–Oct): Mild weather perfect for exploring architectural history.
• Winter (Nov–Feb): Cold but accessible through the downtown skyway system.

Other Nearby Attractions

• Mill City Museum – Showcases the city’s flour milling past inside historic ruins.
• Stone Arch Bridge – Former railroad bridge with panoramic Mississippi River views.
• Guthrie Theater – Modern cultural hub with a striking architectural design.
• Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) – World-class museum with diverse global collections.
• Foshay Tower – 1929 Art Deco skyscraper, now a hotel with an observation deck.

Considerations for Travel

• The Great Northern Hotel no longer stands; information can be found in local archives and museums.
• Visit the preserved Milwaukee Road Depot, now converted into a hotel and event venue, for a railroad-era experience.
• Minneapolis has an efficient light rail system (METRO) linking downtown with the airport and suburbs.
• Winters are harsh—plan for indoor travel using the skyway system.

Top Accommodations

• The Foshay – W Minneapolis – Art Deco tower hotel, from $230/night.
• Hotel Ivy, a Luxury Collection Hotel – Historic-modern luxury, from $280/night.
• Hewing Hotel – Boutique North Loop stay with rooftop spa, from $250/night.
• The Westin Minneapolis – Converted historic bank, from $200/night.
• Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot – In the former Milwaukee Road Depot, from $220/night.