Dallas Skyscrapers

Bank of America Plaza

Architect:  JPJ Architects

Upon completion in 1985 this 72-story skyscraper instantly achieved a landmark status as the tallest in Dallas and the most recognizable silhouette of the downtown skyline. The Bank of America Plaza skyscraper is clad in silver reflective glass.  At night the skyscraper's lighting feature is amazing, it is outlined by more than two miles of radiant emerald green argon tubing that is seen for miles from around the city and suburbs.

Slim structure;  In reality the tower is unusually slender, only 16 columns, 20-ft. in from the edge, support this office tower and the slender are most evident when viewed from the Southwest or from the Northeast. The ratio of height to structural width in the 921-ft high building is a large 7.24 to 1. The World Trade Center towers, in comparison had height to width ratios of 6.49 to 1. That meant that an unusually efficient structure was needed to give the slim building the necessary stiffness.  In order to preserve the all-glass exterior and uninterrupted by perimeter columns, the results were to rule out the tube and X-bracing methods, therefore concluding with the 16 columns set 20-ft back from the silver reflective curtain wall, creating a row of offices between the curtain wall and columns. Only the first floor base at street level is indented and in line with the columns. The building has a serrated floor plan and the core parallels the exterior. The upper portion of the building tapers in a series of setbacks.  The skyscraper is home to Bank of America which is Texas headquarters and one of the largest banks in the nation.

Initially in 1981 this was called Main Center and the development was to be done in phases that was to occupy a four-block area. It was to include a twin 72-story tower and a high-rise hotel with supporting retail space. The remaining phases were not built as a result of the collapse in the real estate market of the late 1980s.

Set-back columns leave room for offices around perimeter.

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