Railroad and Bank Building

The Railroad and Bank Building, now known as the Great Northern Building, is a historic landmark located at 176 E. 5th Street in St. Paul, Minnesota. Completed in 1916, it was the largest office building in the Upper Midwest until 1973 and served as the headquarters for railroad magnate James J. Hill's business empire. Designed by architect Charles Sumner Frost, the building features a Classical Revival style with a unique layout accommodating three separate companies, each with its own entrance and elevators. The building's impressive architecture includes sandstone and terra cotta facades, a grand atrium, and even a rooftop bungalow for board meetings. After a period of decline in the railroad industry, it has been repurposed for office and retail use, making it a significant part of St. Paul's Lowertown Historic District and a point of interest for tourists and researchers alike.