As the Twin Cities buzz with excitement about the opening of our first Four Seasons hotel, we’re looking behind closed doors for the yet-to-be-revealed upper floors, where 34 private residences are now being offered to potential buyers.
What distinguishes a five-star experience? (Hint: it’s about more than just a nice place.)
If you’ve ever seen the RBC Gateway tower glowing in the Minneapolis skyline, it’s easy to imagine that the unobtrusive, floor-to-ceiling views of the city and river are absolutely stunning (it is). But the highlight of this shiny cake is that legendary Four Seasons service and amenities are available to residents, too.
So, while spacious private balconies, heated bathroom floors, and a quick entrance are unique and inviting details, we’re fixating our eyes on Mara’s Restaurant & Bar, created by hometown hero and James Beard Award-winning chef, Gavin Kaysen. If you’ve enjoyed evenings at any of Kaysen’s other establishments, you know that attentive, intelligent and personalized service is his signature. Expect the same at Mara, which features neo-Mediterranean cuisine. For a more casual experience, there’s Café Socca, where residents can grab a coffee on their way upstairs to the hotel’s gym or sauna.
Or from the spa. or an indoor pool. or an outdoor pool. Because residents have access to all these facilities as well. We might be a little (a lot) envious.
Once inside the residences, Four Seasons’ reputation for attention to detail is fully apparent. There are 14 floor plans with two design options—Urban or Nordic—both inspired by traditional Minnesota resources and landscapes. Wood, stone, and metal appear in fixtures, floors, counters, and cabinets. Residences have a separate private lobby and lift, plus dedicated heated parking and optional valet parking.
4 seasons, 5 stars, 34 apartments
We love to brag about our classes, right? Residents will enjoy four of them from their private balconies, all equipped with ceiling-mounted heaters and ready-to-use Wolf gas grills. We imagine sipping wine while grilling steaks on a snowy December evening and love the idea. Are you even from Minnesota if you don’t grill in the winter?
Or take your wine – and a great book – downstairs to the hotel lounge and settle in by the fireplace. While you’re downstairs, speak with the residential concierge to plan your annual ski vacation, because residents enjoy this feature, too.
As winter transitions into spring and then summer, we imagine a bike ride along the Mississippi with a stop at Mill City Farmer’s Market or Guthrie for the park. In summer, expect the outdoor pool to be the place to be seen and seen, with a landscaped deck, lounges, umbrellas, and an outdoor bar and restaurant. The pool deck is open to residents and hotel guests only, with plenty of privacy and full service, of course: the perfect hot spot for relaxing after work or on sunny weekends.
From what we’ve seen, ‘five stars’ is defined as much by the attention to detail, service and comfort as it is by the stunning architecture and decor. The Four Seasons has captured the Minnesota spirit of embracing all that this wonderful city has to offer, from snow and shine, raw and refined, putting a luxurious paint over it all. The Four Seasons opened in mid-2022, with residents relocating this fall. If you’re planning a stylish downtown move, private residences are currently for sale.
