The $35 million skyscraper was designed for the First National Bank in Dallas by architects
George Dahl and
Thomas E. Stanley, built to replace First National's home on Main Street. It originally was proposed to be higher, but was scaled back after determining it would be a hazard to flights leaving
Dallas Love Field. By choosing a site with lower elevation, the tower, even with a modified height, was still taller than rival bank's
Republic Center. The block of land previously contained First National's motor bank, which was demolished for the new structure. The exterior, featuring a dark and light contrasting theme, was clad in more than of dark gray glass and white marble imported from Greece. At the time of opening in 1965, it was the tallest building west of the
Mississippi River, until surpassed by
555 California Street in
San Francisco in 1969. It was the tallest in Texas until 1971, when
One Shell Plaza was built in
Houston. In 1974,
Renaissance Tower became the tallest in Dallas. The tower that rises out of this base was placed off center and is a modified hexagon, with four of the sides only slightly angled [end walls are wide with a midpoint width of ]. Floors 11-49 were general lease space not used by First National Bank. The white columns running up the tower contain Plexiglas mullions that house fluorescent lights, which were once turned on every night. The Observation Terrace on the 50th floor contained the world's highest escalator from the 49th floor. At ground level the building features a long pedestrian arcade flanked by retail space connected Elm Street and Pacific Street, and the building was later connected to the
Dallas Pedestrian Network when the adjacent
Renaissance Tower was opened in 1974. An 800-space garage was located on the lower two levels, and was the largest single parking facility in Dallas at the time. The lower floors of the building were foreclosed on in early 2009; the tower portion of the building closed in late January 2010 due to low occupancy rates. In 2020, it reopened, after the most costly building conversion in Dallas' history, totaling $460 million.
Banking facilities The building's eight story base, which contained the banking and operational function for First National Bank, covered the entire block and featured a continuous set of marble arches on all sides of the building. The lower five floors of the base were recessed to provide large walkways around the building. The floors above the arches (6,7 and 8) do not have any windows and are covered in marble. The main banking floor, located on the 4th floor, was 2 stories in height and contained the vaults and 50 teller stations. Two motor banks served customers: a "walk-up" bank on Elm Street for pedestrians and a "drive-in" bank on Pacific Street. The ninth floor, the first floor of the tower, housed the bank's top executives, lounge areas and executive dining room. It was surrounded by an extensive rooftop garden, heavily landscaped and filled with sculptures and fountains. The 8th floor contained the Dallas Room, a 300-seat auditorium, and the bank employees' cafeteria. ==Gallery==