Wells Fargo Tower (Roanoke)
| Company type | Office skyscraper |
|---|---|
| Industry | Commercial real estate |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Headquarters | Roanoke , United States |
| Products | Office space |
The Wells Fargo Tower, previously known as Dominion Tower, First Union Tower, and Wachovia Tower, is a 21-level office skyscraper situated in Downtown Roanoke. Completed in 1991, it holds the distinction of being the tallest structure within both Roanoke and the broader Southwest Virginia region.
History
The project commenced with a ceremonial groundbreaking on May 11, 1990,[1] which was attended by prominent figures from the municipal and business communities. To visually represent the building's ultimate height, a balloon was released during the event.[1] By October of the same year, construction had advanced to the seventh floor.[2] Unfortunately, on October 29, a construction worker suffered a fatal fall, marking the sole death during the entire building process.[2] The concluding concrete pour took place in April 1991, and by October that year, the first tenant had moved into the completed tower.[3]
Profile
Crafted by Clark Tribble Harris & Li Architects, this postmodern edifice stands as the tallest in both Roanoke and Southwest Virginia. Its design includes a copper pyramid crowned with a spire, drawing inspiration from the nearby Hotel Roanoke. At night, the tower is illuminated by 135 floodlights.
Although it officially contains 21 floors, the numbering skips the 13th floor to accommodate superstitions related to triskaidekaphobia.
Naming
After Wells Fargo acquired Wachovia in late 2008, the building was rebranded as Wells Fargo Tower in July 2011 to reflect the bank’s branding strategy across Virginia.