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First National Bank Tower, Dallas

From Alfawiki
Adapted from the English Wikipedia article First National Bank Tower, Dallas, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 8 August 202510 sources
The National
IndustryReal estate, hospitality
Founded1965
Headquarters
Dallas
,
United States
ProductsOffice space, residential units, hotel, retail space
Websitewww.thenationaldallas.com

The National is a 50-story skyscraper situated in the Main Street district of downtown Dallas, Texas, positioned next to the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Akard Station. It holds the position of the tenth tallest structure within the city. Due to diminished tenancy, the building ceased operations in January 2010.[1]Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name In 2017, it was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[2]

Following a $460 million renovation—the priciest in Dallas history—it reopened in 2020. The revamped building now accommodates the upscale Thompson Dallas Hotel, 324 residential units,[3] along with substantial office and retail spaces.[4]

History

Designed by architects George Dahl and Thomas E. Stanley for First National Bank in Dallas, this $35 million skyscraper replaced the bank’s former Main Street premises. Initial plans called for a taller structure; however, concerns over flight paths at Dallas Love Field led to a reduction in height. By choosing a site at a lower elevation, the building maintained its status as taller than its competitor, the Republic Center. The chosen location, previously occupied by First National’s motor bank, was cleared to make way for construction. The building’s facade is composed of more than of dark gray glass combined with Greek white marble. Construction commenced in 1961, utilizing over 25,000 tons of steel under the supervision of Robert E. McKee, Inc. and Henry C. Beck Co..[5] Upon its completion in 1965, it was recognized as the tallest building west of the Mississippi River until overtaken in 1969 by 555 California Street in San Francisco. It held the title of Texas’ tallest building until 1971 when surpassed by One Shell Plaza in Houston; subsequently, Renaissance Tower became Dallas' tallest in 1974.[6]

The tower’s design features an asymmetrical hexagonal form with slightly inclined sides—its end walls measure wide while its midpoint spans . Floors 11 through 49 were leased as general office space beyond First National Bank’s own usage. White columns incorporate Plexiglas mullions that housed fluorescent lighting fixtures which were illuminated nightly at one time. The Observation Terrace on the 50th floor contained what was once the world’s highest escalator connecting from the 49th floor.[7]

At street level, a pedestrian arcade links Elm and Pacific Streets, bordered by retail outlets and integrated into the Dallas Pedestrian Network following the opening of the adjacent Renaissance Tower in 1974. An underground parking garage with capacity for 800 vehicles occupied the two lowest levels and was then Dallas’ largest single parking structure.[8]

After expansion under InterFirst Corp., which also developed Renaissance Tower and Bank of America Plaza, banking operations were consolidated under Bank of America, resulting in most functions vacating this building, which was renamed Elm Place. Ownership became divided: the bank retained control over the bottom ten floors while separate owners held the lobby and upper 42 stories.[9] The lower floors encountered foreclosure proceedings in early 2009; subsequently, due to low tenancy levels, the tower closed its doors in January 2010.[1] By May 2010, it was placed on the market with an asking price of $19 million.[10]

In 2020, after undergoing a $460 million transformation—the costliest redevelopment project ever undertaken in Dallas—the structure reopened to feature The luxury Thompson Dallas Hotel alongside 324 apartments,[3] plus office and retail spaces.[4]

Banking facilities

Occupying the entire block, the building's eight-story podium accommodated First National Bank's banking and operational functions, featuring uninterrupted 48-foot marble arches encircling all sides. The lower five levels were set back by 10 feet, forming broad pedestrian walkways. Above these arches, floors six through eight were clad in marble and designed without windows.

The principal banking hall, located on the fourth floor and covering 13,860 square feet, boasted a two-story ceiling height and included vaults alongside 50 teller stations. Customer amenities comprised two motor bank services: a pedestrian "walk-up" accessible from Elm Street and a "drive-in" facility on Pacific Street.

On the second floor, visitors could view the "Money Tree," an impressive 20-foot mural by Alma Shon, crafted from 8,500 coins combined with intricately carved wood elements.

The tower’s first elevated level, the ninth floor, was dedicated to senior executives and featured lounges and an executive dining area. This floor was also bordered by an expansive rooftop garden adorned with sculptures and fountains. The eighth floor contained the Dallas Room, a 300-seat auditorium, as well as the employee cafeteria.

See also

External links

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named dmn115
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named NRHP-weekly
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named m.hotelbusiness.com
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named The National
  5. ↑ Metz, Leon, Claire (1997). Robert E. McKee Master Builder. El Paso, Texas: Robert E. and Evelyn McKee Foundation. pp. 268–269. ISBN 0-9646793-1-0.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ↑ Template:Usurped
  7. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named dmn013165
  8. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named dmn101561
  9. ↑ Brown, Steve (August 2, 1988). "First Republic Bank's Downtown Holdings". Dallas Morning News. p. 4D.
  10. ↑ "Downtown Dallas' Elm Place tower goes up for sale for $19M". The Dallas Morning News. May 5, 2010.

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