Minneapolis Skyway

Streets, bridges, storefronts and parking ramps along the enclosed pedestrian network linking downtown Minneapolis

Minneapolis, MN

The Minneapolis Skyway System is a network of enclosed, elevated pedestrian bridges connecting more than 80 city blocks of downtown Minneapolis. First built in 1962 — when a single bridge linked the Northstar Center to a neighboring building — it has grown into one of the longest continuous networks of its kind in the world, stretching across roughly 11 kilometers of the central business district.

The system was conceived as a practical solution to the city's winters, allowing pedestrians to move between offices, hotels, retail spaces, and parking ramps without going outside. Over the following decades it expanded block by block, drawing in major landmarks: the IDS Center at Nicollet Mall and 8th Street, designed by Philip Johnson and opened in 1972 as the tallest building in Minnesota; the Canadian Pacific Plaza at 120 South 6th Street, which had itself been the city's tallest in the 1960s; the Fifth Street Towers; the Hennepin County Government Center; and Target's corporate headquarters straddling Nicollet Mall.

The skyway did not simply outlast the periods it passed through — it registered them. When Minnesota issued stay-at-home orders in March 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nicollet Mall and the streets below the bridges emptied. Weeks later, the killing of George Floyd on May 25, 2020 brought protest marches through the same corridors, and by June 1 a Minnesota National Guard Humvee was parked beneath the skyway near 7th Street, with storefronts along the corridor boarded in plywood. The following winter, security fencing surrounded the Hennepin County Government Center ahead of the Derek Chauvin trial.

This instalment in the Minneapolis Places series moves through those years without fixed boundaries, recording the skyway as it functions in ordinary conditions and as it absorbs the pressures of events that reshaped the city around it. What remains constant is the infrastructure itself: the second-floor walkways, elevator signs directing pedestrians upward from parking ramps, the glass bridges crossing Marquette Avenue and 6th Street, and the light falling through them in every kind of weather.

State Theatre on Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis advertising Purple Rain pre-Broadway performances. — *October 16, 2025* — The State Theatre on Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis displays marquee and window advertising for Purple Rain. Signage on the theater facade and the skyway announces that pre-Broadway performances begin October 16. The venue is part of the Hennepin Theatre Trust’s theater district in the city center.

A metallic, woven wall with integrated blue neon lighting lines the interior of the Minneapolis Skyway system, a climate-controlled pedestrian walkway connecting downtown buildings. — *February 12, 2025* — A metallic, woven wall with integrated blue neon lighting lines the interior of the Minneapolis Skyway system. The skyway connects buildings in downtown Minneapolis, providing a climate-controlled pedestrian walkway. This architectural feature is part of the extensive network of enclosed pedestrian bridges that define the urban experience in Minneapolis. The skyway system, one of the longest in the world, was developed to facilitate year-round movement and commerce between downtown businesses and institutions.

The Oceanaire Seafood Room entrance and 50 South Sixth office tower signage in downtown Minneapolis, MN. — *February 12, 2025* — The interior of the 50 South Sixth building in downtown Minneapolis, featuring the entrance to The Oceanaire Seafood Room. Signage indicates "50 SOUTH SIXTH" and "Office Tower."

Skyway at Target Headquarters — *August 2, 2024* — Skyway between Target Plaza North and Target Plaza South. The buildings are home to the headquarters of retail giant Target.

People walk in the Minneapolis skyways in July 2024 — *July 31, 2024* — People utilize the Minneapolis Skyway system, an enclosed pedestrian bridge network connecting buildings in downtown Minneapolis. The skyway was first conceived in the 1960s to provide a climate-controlled environment for pedestrians, shielding them from harsh winter weather and facilitating movement between offices and shops.

Man walks on Nicollet Mall during sunset — *June 19, 2024* — Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis, a pedestrian-oriented street, is shown at sunset in June 2024.

Wolves back on the skyway — *May 13, 2024* — Temporary "Wolves Back" signage adorns the Minneapolis skyway system on Hennepin Avenue, signaling support for the Minnesota Timberwolves during a playoff run.

Foggy night with cars parked on side of road in Minneapolis — *January 24, 2024* — A foggy January night in 2024 illuminates North 1st Avenue in Downtown Minneapolis.

Big cloud over downtown Minneapolis streets — *August 3, 2023* — Large clouds above 10th Street in Downtown Minneapolis on August 3, 2023.

Snow falling with people in IDS Center skyway downtown Minneapolis — *November 14, 2022* — Pedestrians utilize the Minneapolis Skyway system, a network of enclosed pedestrian bridges connecting buildings in downtown Minneapolis, during the first snowfall of the season. The IDS Center, a prominent skyscraper completed in 1973, is visible in the background, with its skyway spanning Marquette Avenue. This elevated walkway system, initiated in 1962, allows people to navigate the city center year-round, shielded from weather conditions like the snow seen here.

New entrance at Target store in Minneapolis — *October 21, 2022* — The entrance to the Target flagship store in downtown Minneapolis is a prominent feature of the city's retail landscape. Located within the Nicollet Mall area, this entrance serves as a gateway to the company's primary retail presence.

Woman walks in the Minneapolis skyway May 2022 — *May 12, 2022* — The Minneapolis Skyway, a network of enclosed pedestrian bridges, connects buildings throughout downtown Minneapolis. This particular walkway links the IDS Center, a prominent skyscraper completed in 1973, to other structures. The skyway system, initiated in 1962, was designed to provide weather-protected passage for pedestrians and to encourage commercial activity by making downtown more accessible. The IDS Center itself was designed by architect Philip Johnson and is a significant example of modernist architecture in the city.

Minneapolis skyways on a rainy night — *April 30, 2022* — The Minneapolis Skyway system, the longest continuous network of enclosed pedestrian bridges in the world, is visible here at night during a spring rain. Completed in 1974, the skyway connects buildings across 11 kilometers of downtown Minneapolis, providing a climate-controlled environment for pedestrians. This infrastructure was developed to encourage downtown development and to offer a safe and convenient way to navigate the city, especially during harsh winter months. The wet streets reflect the city lights, highlighting the skyway's role in shaping the urban experience of Minneapolis.

S 6th Street sign on downtown Minneapolis skyway with City Hall visible behind. — *April 11, 2022* — S 6th Street runs through downtown Minneapolis, linking the government and financial districts near the Hennepin County Government Center and City Hall. A second-story skyway crosses above the street here, part of the Minneapolis Skyway System, which links more than 80 city blocks and is often cited as the longest continuous system of its kind in the world. The network dates to 1962, when the first bridge connected the Northstar Center to an adjacent building, and it has since expanded to give pedestrians climate-controlled routes between offices, hotels, and retail through the winter months. The tower rising behind the skyway belongs to Minneapolis City Hall, completed in 1906 as the Municipal Building and shared originally with Hennepin County courts.

Nicollet Mall and 8th Street in downtown Minneapolis with the Dayton's building and skyway. — *March 25, 2022* — Nicollet Mall and 8th Street in Downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, are shown with the IDS Center and the former Dayton's department store building. Nicollet Mall, originally a street, was redeveloped into a pedestrian mall in the 1960s to revitalize the downtown core and encourage foot traffic. The IDS Center, completed in 1973, became a landmark of the city's central business district. The skywalk system, visible connecting buildings, was developed to provide weather-protected pedestrian access throughout downtown Minneapolis, enhancing its functionality.

Skyway Access sign directs pedestrians into the enclosed walkway system at the Thrivent Financial building in downtown — *December 7, 2021* — The Minneapolis Skyway System connects more than 80 city blocks of downtown buildings via enclosed, elevated walkways, forming one of the largest networks of its kind in the world. Skyway entrances like this one direct pedestrians to the second-level walkway system, letting people move between buildings without going outside. The system dates to 1962.

Rainy night on Marquette Ave in December 2021 — *December 2, 2021* — Marquette Avenue in downtown Minneapolis is shown during a December rain in 2021, with reflections of traffic lights and building signage shimmering on the wet pavement. The Minneapolis Skyway system, a network of enclosed pedestrian bridges connecting buildings, is visible overhead, a characteristic feature of the city's downtown architecture designed to facilitate movement during inclement weather. This street serves as a major artery through the central business district, reflecting the city's ongoing development and its adaptation to climate conditions.

Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis with a skyway, temporary fencing, and concrete barriers. — *February 18, 2021* — Hennepin County Government Center in downtown Minneapolis is surrounded by temporary fencing and concrete barriers. The county complex houses courts and county offices, and was under expanded security in early 2021 ahead of the Derek Chauvin trial. A skyway connects the Government Center to adjacent buildings above the secured street level.

Mounted Minneapolis Police on Nicollet Mall at 7th Street in downtown Minneapolis, with squad cars and a Metro Transit bus. — *September 25, 2020* — Minneapolis Police officers, including a mounted unit, patrol Nicollet Mall at South 7th Street in downtown Minneapolis on September 25, 2020.

Minnesota National Guard Humvee on Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis during unrest in June 2020. — *June 1, 2020* — A Minnesota National Guard Humvee is parked on Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis, beneath the city’s skyway system near 7th Street South.

George Floyd protesters on 7th Street in downtown Minneapolis beneath a skyway. — *May 28, 2020* — A protest march for George Floyd fills 7th Street in downtown Minneapolis on May 28, 2020. Demonstrators carry signs reading “Justice for George,” “Black Lives Matter,” and “Stop Police Brutality” as they move through the central business district. The march took place on the third day of protests after Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police.

Nicollet Mall storefronts and retail businesses at night in downtown Minneapolis. — *May 5, 2020* — Nicollet Mall is a pedestrian shopping district in downtown Minneapolis featuring retail storefronts and restaurants along a tree-lined walkway. The mall, which opened in 1968, was designed as a mixed-use urban space connecting downtown businesses and offices. JB Hudson Jewelers operates among the various retailers along the mall, which has served as a commercial and gathering destination for decades.

Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis during Stay At Home Orders — *March 27, 2020* — Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis is seen during Minnesota's COVID-19 stay-at-home orders.

Hyatt Regency and other hotels on Nicoillet Mall in the rain — *March 23, 2020* — Nicollet Mall is downtown Minneapolis's main pedestrian and transit corridor, running roughly twelve blocks between Washington Avenue and Grant Street. The city closed it to general traffic in 1967, and a $50 million redesign led by James Corner Field Operations reopened it in 2017 with wider sidewalks, new lighting, and dedicated space for buses and cyclists. The Hyatt Regency Minneapolis has anchored the corridor since 1973, standing near the skyway network that links downtown's office towers and hotels. In March 2020, the mall's usual foot traffic all but disappeared as Minnesota's stay-at-home order took hold during the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Looking down S 8th Street during COVID19 on rainy night — *March 22, 2020* — South 8th Street in downtown Minneapolis is seen on March 22, 2020, during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The street, typically bustling with activity, are empty.

Rainy night outside CIty Center on Nicolelt Mall in Minneapolis. — *March 22, 2020* — Nicollet Mall in Downtown Minneapolis is reflected in the wet pavement on a rainy night in early 2020, during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chairs on Nicollet Mall during a rainy early COVID19 night — *March 22, 2020* — Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis is seen on a rainy night during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Daytons and IDS Center on Nicollet Mall in the rain — *March 22, 2020* — The Dayton's Project and the IDS Center stand on Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Dayton's building, a historic landmark in the city's retail landscape, was a prominent fixture on the mall for decades.

Single bus on Nicollet Mall during COVID19 — *March 15, 2020* — Nicollet Mall is downtown Minneapolis's mile-long pedestrian and transit corridor, running between Washington Avenue and Grant Street. Cars have been barred from the mall since it opened in 1967, leaving the roadway to buses, taxis, and foot traffic. A $50 million redesign led by James Corner Field Operations, the firm behind New York's High Line, reopened the corridor in 2017 with wider sidewalks, new lighting, and updated bus shelters. Skyways link many of the office towers and retail buildings along the mall, letting workers move between blocks without going outside. In March 2020, Minnesota's stay-at-home order emptied the corridor of the office workers and shoppers who normally fill it on weekdays.

Blue directional signs for Skyway Level elevators in a downtown Minneapolis parking ramp. — *February 14, 2020* — Directional signs for Skyway Level elevators mark access points in a downtown Minneapolis parking ramp. The Minneapolis Skyway System connects downtown buildings at the second-floor level, allowing pedestrians to move between structures without exposure to weather. Elevator access from parking facilities is essential infrastructure for the skyway network's operation.

SPS Tower skyway corridor in downtown Minneapolis with windows lining the elevated walkway. — *February 14, 2020* — The SPS Tower skyway in downtown Minneapolis is part of the Minneapolis Skyway System. The enclosed elevated walkway connects downtown buildings above street level and supports pedestrian movement through the central business district.

Minneapolis City Hall and a skyway in downtown Minneapolis at night — *February 14, 2020* — Minneapolis City Hall rises behind a skyway in downtown Minneapolis at night. The historic building’s green roof and stone façade are lit against nearby apartment and office buildings.

Tower 150 lobby at Fifth Street Towers in downtown Minneapolis with elevator banks and seating. — *February 12, 2020* — Tower 150 lobby at Fifth Street Towers in downtown Minneapolis. The office tower is part of the Fifth Street Towers complex, which connects to the Minneapolis Skyway system. The lobby provides elevator access to upper-floor offices and links building tenants and visitors with the downtown skyway network.

The entrance to the Hampton Inn & Suites in downtown Minneapolis, a hotel offering accommodations for travelers. — *January 31, 2020* — The entrance to the Hampton Inn & Suites in downtown Minneapolis is shown. This hotel chain, part of Hilton Worldwide, is known for providing comfortable accommodations for business and leisure travelers. The "& Suites" designation indicates that this particular location offers extended-stay options with kitchenettes. The hotel serves as a lodging facility within the central business district of Minneapolis, contributing to the city's hospitality sector and supporting tourism and commerce.

Interior corridor of Ramp C in the Minneapolis Skyway System with directional signage for Target Field and Target Center. — *January 31, 2020* — Minneapolis's Skyway System is the largest continuous skyway network in the world, linking more than 80 blocks of downtown through roughly 9.5 miles of enclosed, climate-controlled walkways. This particular corridor runs through Ramp C, a municipal parking structure, and directs pedestrians toward Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins since 2010, and Target Center, the arena that has hosted the Minnesota Timberwolves since 1990.

Icy downtown Minneapolis street beside a skyway parking ramp at night — *January 17, 2020* — A snow-covered street in downtown Minneapolis runs past a skyway-connected parking ramp at night. Icicles hang in the foreground, and neon signs mark the parking entrance and rate information.

Storefronts and skyway walkway inside Crystal Court at the IDS Center in downtown Minneapolis. — *January 17, 2020* — Crystal Court is the eight-story glass atrium at the base of the IDS Center in downtown Minneapolis. Designed by Philip Johnson and John Burgee, the IDS Center opened in 1972 and rises 792 feet, making it the tallest building in Minnesota. Crystal Court connects to several downtown blocks via the Minneapolis Skyway System, the enclosed pedestrian network that links buildings throughout the city center. The atrium has long functioned as a public gathering space and retail concourse, with Wells Fargo among the tenants operating storefronts along its upper walkways.

Target Center and Ramp A skyway in downtown Minneapolis at night. — *December 3, 2019* — Target Center in downtown Minneapolis is a multi-purpose arena opened in 1990 and renovated in 2017. It is the home court of the Minnesota Timberwolves and is connected to Ramp A by an enclosed skyway. The Minneapolis skyway system links buildings and parking ramps across the downtown core.

Minneapolis skyway under construction between downtown buildings. — *August 11, 2019* — A Minneapolis skyway is under construction in downtown Minneapolis. The elevated pedestrian walkway connects buildings in the city’s enclosed skyway system, which links offices, shops, and transit access across the downtown core.

Fifth Street Towers skyway entrance in downtown Minneapolis with wood-paneled walls and lit planters. — *January 27, 2019* — Inside the Fifth Street Towers in Downtown Minneapolis.

Inside the Fifth Street Towers skyway — *January 27, 2019* — The skyway connecting the Soo Line Apartments to the Fifth Street Towers. The skyway is part of the large Minneapolis Skyway System.

Inside the Canadian Pacific Plaza Skyway Minneapolis — *January 27, 2019* — Located at 120 South 6th St, the 28 story Canadian Pacific Plaza was the tallest building in Minneapolis built in the 1960s.

Minneapolis Skyway over Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis, linking office towers across the street. — *January 9, 2018* — Minneapolis Skyway over Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis. The enclosed pedestrian network connects office towers, hotels, parking ramps, and retail spaces across the city center. It allows indoor pedestrian crossings above street level.

The Hennepin County Medical Center skyway connects buildings in downtown Minneapolis, providing a weather-protected passage for patients and staff. — *September 1, 2017* — The Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) skyway connects buildings within the Hennepin Healthcare complex in downtown Minneapolis. This elevated walkway provides a weather-protected passage for patients, staff, and visitors between medical facilities. HCMC, established in 1972, is a major public hospital serving the Twin Cities metropolitan area and is a key component of the city's downtown infrastructure.

Construction on Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis between the IDS Center and Nordstrom Rack involves infrastructure work and paving. — *May 20, 2017* — Construction on Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis is underway, impacting the area between the IDS Center and Nordstrom Rack. This multi-year project aims to revitalize the pedestrian mall, a key thoroughfare in the city's business district. The construction involves significant infrastructure work, including the installation of new utilities and paving. Nicollet Mall, originally developed in the 1960s and redesigned in the 1990s, serves as a central hub for retail, dining, and public life in Minneapolis.

Minneapolis Grain Exchange skyway connects downtown Minneapolis buildings above street level. — *January 30, 2015* — Minneapolis Grain Exchange skyway in downtown Minneapolis links office and commercial buildings above street level. The enclosed pedestrian network is part of the city’s downtown skyway system, which connects buildings across several blocks. The historic Grain Exchange building anchors the area around the former agricultural trading center.

Minneapolis Skyway

Minneapolis Photographer