In 1971, a group set out to make "the largest office building in the Twin Cities in forty years!" Their goal was ambitious - a heliport, revolving restaurant, retail shops, all on a 30 acre campus. It was going to be a destination - something to put Bloomington on the map!
The reality was that by the time the building was completed in 1974, the economy had gone into recession. If you look at the original concept picture and compare it to the actual building here, you'll see that the heliport never happened and the top level is not rotating (nor is it a restaurant).
There are conflicting stories as to the state of the top-level restaurant. One story is that the rotating mechanism interfered with the kitchen and as a result, wouldn't pass city code for a restaurant. Some say it was city fire codes and others say it was health issues with the rotating mechanisms. The other, more likely story, is that it would cost too much to operate the restaurant, as it would require dedicated elevator service and a number of other logistical issues.
For years, rumors persisted that the restaurant couldn't rotate. Some time in the late 70s, the building engineer took a number of people up into the empty restaurant space and they played touch football in the empty space. After fielding a bunch of rumors about architectural failures that prevented the restaurant from rotating, the engineer rotated the floor to prove that it did work, much to the surprise of those playing football in the empty space!
Regardless, when the building opened in 1974, it stood 300 feet tall and was the tallest building, not only in Bloomington, but in any of the Minneapolis suburbs. It held that record until 1988, when the 8500 Tower over by Lake Normandale opened at 361 feet tall.
Those few who have been able to visit the restaurant space say there are amazing views in all directions of the Twin Cities.
Some other facts about this building:
- There are 24 stories serviced by 7 elevators
- The office space is columnless - the building is supported by the exterior walls
- The 54,000 square feet of concrete facade weighs 4,200 tons
- The entire campus occupies 17 acres and contains 434,000 square feet of office space
In addition, a family of peregrine falcons live atop the building. There is a webcam on the building's web site that allows you to view the falcons that live there.
As you stand here, though, imagine what could have been. Imagine after finding this cache, you could dine in the rotating restaurant before boarding your helicopter and whizzing off to the next cache! 
This cache is placed to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of this building. Thanks for visiting another piece of Bloomington history!