diff --git a/idaes/core/base/flowsheet_model.py b/idaes/core/base/flowsheet_model.py
index 49d079fe16..b9ff3a63ca 100644
--- a/idaes/core/base/flowsheet_model.py
+++ b/idaes/core/base/flowsheet_model.py
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ def stream_table(self, true_state=False, time_point=0, orient="columns"):
             dict_arcs, time_point=time_point, orient=orient, true_state=true_state
         )
 
-    def visualize(self, model_name, **kwargs):
+    def visualize(self, model_name, **kwargs) -> "VisualizeResult":
         """
         Starts up a flask server that serializes the model and pops up a
         webpage with the visualization
@@ -275,9 +275,10 @@ def visualize(self, model_name, **kwargs):
             **kwargs: Additional keywords for :func:`idaes.core.ui.fv.visualize()`
 
         Returns:
-            None
+            The :class:`idaes_ui.fv.fsvis.VisualizeResult` instance returned by :meth:`UI.visualize`
         """
-        UI().visualize(self, model_name, **kwargs)
+        visualize_result = UI().visualize(self, model_name, **kwargs)
+        return visualize_result
 
     def _get_stream_table_contents(self, time_point=0):
         """