Konica Minolta Tower, Niagara Falls

The Konica Minolta Tower, now operating as The Tower Hotel, is a historic structure in the Fallsview district of Niagara Falls, Ontario. Opened in 1962, it holds the distinction of being the first modern observation tower built near the brink of the falls. Originally named the Seagram Tower, after the Montreal-based House of Seagram, the tower has undergone several name changes over the decades due to shifts in ownership and financial restructuring-carrying titles like Heritage Tower, Royal Inn Tower, Royal Center Tower, Panasonic Tower, and finally, Minolta Tower from 1984 to 2007.

Standing 99 meters (325 feet) tall from street level-and positioned 160 meters (525 feet) above the falls-the tower was a pioneering structure in North American construction history, being the first built using the slipform method. Its construction began in March 1961, though it suffered a minor fire on the roof that September due to ignited tarps and exploding propane tanks. The incident caused only limited damage and a few minor injuries.

The tower features a hotel, an indoor observation deck, a restaurant, and a wedding chapel. The observation deck, located on the 25th floor, was known for its sweeping views of the Niagara River and both the American and Horseshoe Falls. Floor-to-ceiling, non-glare windows were installed to enhance photography, and historical photos, articles, and telescopes added to the experience. Though the observation deck is no longer open to the general public, it remains available for private wedding events.

The restaurant at the same elevation-renovated in March 2005-offers gourmet meals with a focus on steak and seafood and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Once meant to anchor a larger hotel and convention complex, the Konica Minolta Tower stood alone for decades. By the 2000s, new high-rise hotels and the removal of nearby attractions like the aquarium and Waltzing Waters reduced its prominence. Still, it remains a distinctive part of Niagara Falls's history and the development of the Fallsview district.