New Minneapolis Wells Fargo Towers Showcase a Sea of Change and a Splash of History

Remnants of the old neighborhood are sprinkled in the newest office buildings in downtown Minneapolis.

Wells Fargo & Co. formally opened its East Town towers, the two 17-story buildings built near the new U.S. Bank Stadium. In an outdoor ceremony in smoldering heat Wednesday, executives and state and local government officials lauded the $300 million project, where 5,000 people now work on what used to be two parking lots.

“It’s not often when a company like ours has the opportunity to transform a neighborhood,” said Pat Ryan, chief executive of developer Ryan Cos. He added, “We are moving the center of Minneapolis eastward.”