Salesforce Tower (Indianapolis)
| Company type | Office skyscraper |
|---|---|
| Industry | Commercial real estate |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Headquarters | Indianapolis , United States |
| Products | Office and retail space |
Salesforce Tower—previously known as Bank One Tower and later Chase Tower—holds the distinction of being the highest skyscraper in Indiana.[1][2] Since its opening in 1990, it overtook the AUL Tower (currently OneAmerica Tower) in Indianapolis. The structure boasts twin spires extending to , encompassing 48 levels dedicated to office and retail use beneath a distinctive roof. It functions as the regional headquarters for Salesforce.com, which occupies a significant portion following its relocation during the late 2010s.
Of the two spires, only one serves as a transmission antenna, while the other is purely decorative.[3] Designed by KlingStubbins and built by Indianapolis-based Hunt Construction Group, the tower integrates contemporary office facilities with advanced communication infrastructure.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
The stepped pyramidal crown of the building draws inspiration from the nearby Indiana World War Memorial Plaza, emphasizing its architectural connection to the local environment. Its roof was specifically engineered to accommodate communication relay equipment, creating additional income opportunities for property owners. The tower frequently showcases large banners promoting local professional sports franchises, capitalizing on its prominence as the tallest edifice in the city for maximum exposure.
Background and history
The concept for the tower emerged in the late 1970s under the leadership of Frank E. McKinney, Jr., chairman of American Fletcher Corporation, which held American Fletcher National Bank and Trust Company (AFNB), then Indiana’s largest banking institution. His vision was to centralize and expand his corporation’s headquarters.[4] The site acquisition involved razing multiple buildings along Ohio and Pennsylvania Streets to clear space for what McKinney aimed to be Indiana's tallest office building.
Prior to breaking ground, American Fletcher became the first major Indianapolis bank holding company acquired by an out-of-state entity, merging in spring 1986 with Ohio’s fast-growing Banc One Corporation.[5] Following this merger, McKinney assumed chairmanship of Bank One's Indiana division, expediting plans for the tower. Construction commenced in June 1987 on what was then called Bank One Center Tower, connected with AFNB’s existing Monument Circle headquarters.[3]
This connection secured a prestigious Monument Circle address; the skyscraper stands between Ohio Street and Wabash Street (the alleyway between Market and Ohio). The entrance on Ohio Street acts as a rear access point for the complex, while a second-floor concourse spanning Scioto Street (between Pennsylvania and Meridian) links the tower and its parking garage to the main entrance at 111 Monument Circle.
Previously, a skywalk over Scioto connected the Circle Building with the neighboring Fletcher Trust Building at 10 E. Market Street but was dismantled after consolidating operations into the new tower. The Fletcher Trust Building was subsequently sold and transformed into a Hilton Garden Inn hotel. Banc One Corporation (later Bank One Corporation) executed several major acquisitions before itself being acquired by J.P. Morgan Chase in the early 2000s. After this merger, the Indianapolis tower was renamed Chase Tower; however, Chase only placed its name and logo atop the building in 2013 following a change in ownership.[6]
On May 6, 2016, Salesforce revealed plans to lease a substantial portion of space within the building and begin relocating staff there in early 2017. Since then, it has been rebranded as Salesforce Tower Indianapolis.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
Observation deck
Although the tower does not feature a dedicated observation deck, visitors can enjoy views of Monument Circle and the Indianapolis skyline from common areas located on the second and seventh floors facing the Circle. Since 2017, elevator access has been controlled by electronic turnstiles, limiting public entry; nonetheless, visitor passes are available at security stations situated in both the Tower and Circle lobbies. The tower continues to stand out as a notable landmark across the Indianapolis metropolitan area.
See also
- List of tallest buildings in the United States
- List of tallest buildings by U.S. state
- List of tallest buildings in Indianapolis
- List of tallest buildings in Indiana
External links
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