In the Midst of History
2022
The IES Lighting Award was presented to Michael Cohen of Schuler Shook for the IDS Crystal Court project.
2022
IDS Center earns three Green Globes from the Green Building Initiative.
2022
The Minnesota REJournal Real Estate Awards awarded IDS Center as a Finalist for the Crystal Court Renovation.
2021
Green Globe Recertification by the Green Building Initiative for Resource Efficiency & Reduction of Environmental Impacts.
2021
Hays Companies becomes Brown & Brown.
2021
The IDS Crystal Court Renovation project was named as a Top Project of 2021 by Finance & Commerce.
2020
Briggs & Morgan becomes Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP.
2020
Gray Plant Mooty becomes Lathrop GPM.
2019
IDS Tower Club opens in IDS Center.
2018
Super Bowl kickoff with the IDS Center hosting ESPN in the Crystal Court and a plethora of fun events out on Nicollet Mall.
2018
Lindquist and Vennum becomes Ballard Spahr.
2017
Nordstrom Rack opens in the IDS Center.
2017
Green Globe Recertification by the Green Building Initiative for Resource Efficiency & Reduction of Environmental Impacts.
2017
The IDS Center is in the spotlight as labeled as a ‘Post-Modern Marvel’ in the Journal of Property Management.
2017
Tribute to Mary Tyler Moore held in the IDS Center Crystal Court following her passing.
2016
Bank of America pushes into Twin Cities with a branch in downtown Minneapolis.
2016
Star Tribune creates article on Lisa Fredell’s 25 years of Shoe Shining.
Photo © Brian Peterson - Star Tribune
2016
IDS Tenant, Perkins + Will in the news for their new flexible open work space.
2015
New lease executed for Perkins + Will on 3rd floor as well as the first Minneapolis retail bank location for Bank of America.
2015
Conference Center and Fitness Center open on the 3rd floor for tenant use.
2014
Green Globe Recertification by the Green Building Initiative for Resource Efficiency & Reduction of Environmental Impacts.
2014
Accesso Services signed a lease for 30,000 SF with UBS Financial Services to lease the 29th/30th floors.
This makes UBS only the third tenant to occupy the 29th floor in the 41 hear history of the tower.
2013
In April, Accesso Services, LLC buys the IDS Center.
2013
IDS Center is featured in a WCCO-Channel 4 segment of “Good Question.”
The question answered was ‘What is really allocated on the roof of the IDS Center?”
2013
Life to the Max, with Mike Max, features the iconic history of the IDS Center.
2012
Xcel Energy once again recognized the IDS Center as an Energy Efficient Partner.
2012
In August, during the National Concierge Association Conference, the IDS Center’s concierge was recognized with two awards: Outstanding Service of the Year and volunteer of the Year.
2012
IDS Center’s Green Team is recognized by Xcel Energy and BOMA with the Outstanding Tenant of the Year Award for their consistent work towards sustainability and energy efficiency.
2011
IDS Center earns Three Green Globes from the Green Building Initiative.
The property is recognized for demonstrating leadership in energy and environmentally efficient property and our continued commitment to improvement.
2011
IDS Center wins the local and regional TOBY Award (The Office Building of the Year) and competition for BOMA office properties over 1 Million square feet advances to the international competition for the second straight year.
2011
The Crystal Court plays host to the National Junior Olympic Nordic Ski Inaugural Ceremony, featuring Minneapolis Mayor R. T. Rybak and State Supreme Court Justice Alan Page as speakers.
2010
Inland received the Energy Star certification for superior energy performance.
2010
Inland receives the BOMA 360 Performance Award for best practices in operations and management.
2010
Scenes from “Young Adult” starring Charlize Theron are shot in the Crystal Court.
2010
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources places an interactive display in the Crystal Court promoting the state’s parks, trails and outdoor opportunities.
2010
Crystal Court interactive Clock Tower and Kiosk wins a Silver Medal in the Public Spaces category of the Apex Awards, honoring the best of digital signage in the world.
2009
A new cement roadway on Marquette and Second Avenue is complete with high hopes for improved traffic flow downtown and system wide.
IDS Center management helped guide the City of Minneapolis and its planners to bring about this improved roadway.
2009
Digital, interactive tenant directories and the Crystal Court clock tower are installed, establishing the Crystal Court as an informational hub for the downtown worker, visitor or business traveler.
2009
A permanent fall protection and ice melt system is installed on the Crystal Court roof.
2009
The Downtown Improvement District (DID) is launched making the core of downtown safer, cleaner and greener then ever before.
The IDS Center management played an active role in creating and implementing the DID.
2009
Inland undertakes the first of many annual e-cycling events during Earth Week, which encourages tenants to recycle their electronic waste in an environmentally friendly way.
This initiative saved five tons of electronic waste from going into the waste stream.
2008
The Twin Cities plays host to the Republic National Convention. The Crystal Court is the official VIP media hub for local and national media networks.
2007–2008
Inland launches a massive energy efficiency capital improvement plan: replaced 7 original cooling towers with 8 new ones, installed a new 350-ton chiller and replaced the original hot water heaters.
Included in the plan is an energized, closed loop water system serving the tenants supplemental condenser units. This closed loop system saves approximately 40 million gallons of water annually, enough to fill over 3,000 swimming pools.
2007
Inland contracts for the installation of a waterproof roof membrane for the intricate Crystal Court drain system.
2006
Inland Real Estate Group of Companies of Chicago buys the IDS Center.
2004
The John Buck Company of Chicago buys the IDS Center.
2003
The U.S. Trademark Commission received an application for “IDS”. It was examined, published and issued a Certificate of Registration.
2002–2003
IDS installs a complete security access system throughout the common areas of the complex.
The system integrates all common area doors, freight and passenger elevators. A photo I.D. badge is needed for security purposes to access the property and tenant spaces after normal business hours.
2001
To commemorate the events of September 11, 2001, IDS Center installs a flag in the Crystal Court and annual blood drives are shifted to on or about September 11, Remembrance Day, and Flag Day.
2001
Downtown Minneapolis hosts the NCAA Men’s Division I Tournament Final Four at the Metrodome.
The IDS Center Crystal Court played host to ESPN’s broadcast crew of Dick Vitale and Digger Phelps. In exchange for use of the Crystal Court, ESPN donated tickets and $10,000 to a local charity.
2000
Original tenants IDS (now Ameriprise) and Dayton’s (now Target) vacate over 600,000 square feet of office space after 30 years of occupancy for their own new dedicated headquarters.
A comprehensive releasing and rebuilding strategy is in full swing.
2000
RREEF replaced Kennedy-Wilson as Management for IDS Center.
2000
Tim Allen filmed scenes for the movie “Joe Somebody” in Hubert White Men’s Store.
2000–2004
The strategic repositioning plan includes a full renovation of all 600,000 SF.
This includes energy efficient ceiling and lighting systems, a conversion from a constant volume HVAC system to a VAV controlled HVAC system, complete sprinklerization, a new fire/life safety backbone with ADA compliant speakers, strobes and smoke detectors and a multi-year garage renovation.
1999
The Crystal Court redesign received a Merit Award for Environmental Improvements.
1998
Kennedy-Wilson replaces Heitman as Management for the IDS Center.
1998
The renovation of the Crystal Court wins an AIA Honor Award.
1995
Management partnered with Xcel Energy to complete a full lighting retrofit for the entire tower.
The estimated savings of consumed electricity was 41-watts per fixture. It resulted in one of the largest rebates ever given by Xcel Energy, who wrote a check to tenants for over $400,000.
1998
Reinstallation and re-dedication of the Crystal Court.
The re-dedication ceremony was officiated by then Mayor Sharon Sayles-Belton. Council Member Lisa Goodman and Council President Jackie Cherryholmes were also in attendance. White benches, black olive trees and a 105-foot fountain (designed by HGA Architects and Engineers of Minneapolis) inject new life into the Crystal Court, which serves as the crossroads for Minneapolis commerce, retailing hospitality and the social hub of the city.
1994
On Friday, April 8, 1994, the Crystal Court and Marquette Hotel were transformed into White House headquarters for a day.
President Bill Clinton took the stage at noon in the Crystal Court, rallying for support of his health-care plan while 3,500 guests watched and listened. As a downpour raged outside, the president said, “I’m very grateful to the people from IDS Center ownership who made it possible for us to meet inside instead of outside today.”
1993
Based on the design direction of Shea Architects, the tower’s lobby and elevators receive a makeover intending to brighten the tower lobby and add more elegance.
Woolworth’s closes, replaced by The Gap and Banana Republic among others. The Orion Room closes and the Minnesota Alumni Club moves out of the IDS Center and is replaced with Windows on Minnesota.
1993
A full modernization of the elevator cabs and dispatching system is completed.
The former elevator cab interiors are replaced with new glass surrounds and ADA compliant push buttons. The dispatching software upgrades cut the elevator wait times in half.
1992
Football fans from around the world enjoyed Super Bowl XXVI at the Metrodome in downtown Minneapolis. Downtown Minneapolis hosted the NCAA Final Four Championship as celebrities gather in the Crystal Court.
1991
A yellow ribbon for Operation Desert Storm is situated 620 feet above street level to support the troops.
1990
“The Mighty Ducks” movie, starring Emilio Estevez, filmed scenes in the Dayton Hudson Corporation board room on the 15th floor along with scenes in the Crystal Court.
1987
WIN TWINS! Twins fever made its way to the IDS Center and a message was lit throughout the World Series until the Twins won Game 7 at the Metrodome against the St. Louis Cardinals.
1983
Prince filmed scenes for the movie “Purple Rain” in the Crystal Court.
1983
The observation deck closes and is converted to premier office space.
1981
IDS Center hosts the first annual Climb-for-the-Cure event benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Each year since its inception, hundreds of participants race up the stairs from the lobby to the 50th floor to raise money to fund research to fight this crippling pulmonary disease.
1981
Oxford Development buys the IDS Center for $200 Million. The deal stipulates that the IDS name remain.
1979
On June 19, a violent storm swept through the Twin Cities hurling debris at the IDS center windows. A total of 12,000 windows were damaged. Fortunately, no one at the IDS Center was injured in the storm.
1979
On March 5, 1979, NBC broadcasts the Today Show live with Jane Pauley and Tom Brokaw from the IDS Center in honor of its new affiliate, WTCN-TV Channel 11.
1978
Actor Gary Busey filmed scenes from the Tony Randall movie “Fooling Around” in the Crystal Court.
1978
A pair of 111-foot tall FM radio antennas are added to the tower’s roof.
1974
The Orion Room restaurant and lounge opens, sharing the tower’s 50th floor with the Minnesota Alumni Club.
1973
IDS Center gained national attention and becomes a TV star when it appears in the opening credits of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”, which was set in Minneapolis. A statue commemorating the scene arrived in 2002.
1972
A Symphony Ball is held in June celebrating the Grand Opening; among the guests of dignitaries is Andy Warhol.
This is the first of many events in the Crystal Court, which officially opens to the public four months later. The Marquette Inn (now The Marquette Hotel) opens 51st floor observation deck opens November 22.
1972
Tenants start moving into the tower in February. The tower’s address is 80 South Eighth Street.
1971
The IDS Tower, Annex building and the Hotel are all under construction.
1971
The tower’s last structural steel is set, one year and one day after the first column was installed.
