PAISLEY PARK, MN
By Tim Trudell
One of the greatest musicians and entertainers called the Twin Cities home. Prince Rogers Nelson could have made a name for himself on the basketball court, but his natural talent for writing, arranging, recording, and performing music led to superstardom and a place at the table when it comes to discussion about a Mount Rushmore of the world’s greatest guitarists.
While he didn’t score his first number one hit – “When Doves Cry” – until the mid-1980s, Prince’s first Top 20 song – “I Wanna be Your Lover” reached 11th on the Billboard pop chart in 1979, when he was 21 years old.
Prince went on to a legendary career, and, unfortunately, left this world too soon, in 2016 at the age of 57.
His home in Chanhassen, Paisley Park, is a shrine to Prince, where hundreds of fans pay respects daily to their favorite musician. From the time you enter, you feel his presence and the influence Prince had on others, both fellow performers and fans.
One of the first things visitors notice about Paisley Park is the building’s lack of exterior windows. While Prince embraced his privacy, the lack of windows also prevented him from seeing time change, thus not impacting his creative process.
The 65,000-sq. foot building was finished in 1987, and resembles an industrial building. Costing $10 million to construct, the house is covered with basic white metal and aluminum panels.
Inside the foyer are some of his most successful albums. But, as our tour guide said, Prince didn’t care about the numbers; he cared about the music.
Inside the main area of the house’s first floor, a purple replica of the symbol he changed his name to is encased inside white marble. Copies of his albums hang on the walls, along with a mural of doves flying. A blue sky with white clouds encircles the room, flowing upward to four pyramid-shaped skylights. Prince loved bringing natural light into the room. At night, purple lights create a beam that illuminates the skylight, which can be seen from the nearby highway.
Inside his office, Prince’s desk was small and sleek. Clothing and instruments are also located there.
The tour includes three recording studios where Prince created hit songs for himself and others. Performers who recorded at Paisley Park include Barry Manilow and the Bee Gees.
Learning how Prince created his unique sound was awe-inspiring. He’d be in Studio A by himself, writing and arranging songs, then singing, all while sitting. He preferred to sit while recording, rather than stand like most musicians. He did things his way, and it paid off with five number-one hits and 47 Billboard Hot 100 entries. Prince saw 19 of his songs hit the top 20. He also wrote hit songs for singers and bands, such as The Bangles.
Paisley Park also housed a soundstage where movies, commercials, and music videos were filmed. A small concert venue is located in the house, where Prince often performed, along with other acts.
While photos are prohibited throughout most of the house, the concert venue has plenty of artifacts and instruments on display, including one of three motorcycles used in the movie “Purple Rain.” The iconic purple symbol (a cross between the signs for male and female) is a popular spot outside the house.
At the end of the tour, visitors are welcome to enjoy coffee, tea, or other drinks at the venue’s lounge.
Other Prince Attractions
Prince has long influenced music fans, whether as a singer, musician, writer, or producer. That influence is reflected around the Twin Cities.
In downtown Minneapolis, Prince could often be seen enjoying shows at First Avenue, from the comfort of his personal suite. You’ll see his name in a mural highlighting the stars who have performed there.
Chase and Ovation, a Prince-approved tribute act, performed for Prince at First Avenue. The star gave his OK for the show, which we had the privilege of seeing in Sioux City in early 2026. You’d swear you were at a Prince concert.
Murals honoring Prince can be found on Hennepin Avenue and near the Target Center. A purple teardrop sculpture is located at Fairview Park.
Name Symbol
Prince was misunderstood when he changed his name to the unpronounceable symbol. While some critics thought it was a publicity stunt, he did so to protest Warner Bros. Records, claiming his name and the music he created belonged to him, not the studio. So, from 1993 until 2000, he used the symbol, identified by fans and media as “The artist formerly known as Prince.” Once his contract with Warner Bros. expired, Prince resumed using his name.
He pursued obtaining the master recordings of his music from Warner Bros. The multi-year legal battle ended in 2014, when he regained ownership. He blazed the path for other artists, including Taylor Swift.
A tour of Paisley Park takes about 90 minutes. Arrive early, as tours start on time. A tour of Paisley Park can be life-changing for fans.
