"The goal was to obviously bring Minnesota Life the technological capacity that would bring them into the 21st Century," said Project Designer and Principal Tom DeAngelo, AIA, of Architectural Alliance, the firm who also renovated the lobby of the original headquarters three years prior. "They also wanted to be a good neighbor, and St. Paul has a series of design goals. We wanted to provide a modern, fresh image that would also fit in and represent the dignity and durability of the company for another hundred years."

The stone for the project was supplied by the Cold Spring Granite Co., who supplied a range of granite types. The stone - totaling 146,000 square feet - was used for exterior facades as well as flooring, the reception desk and wall finishes in the main lobby.