Elm Place

Dallas Skyscrapers

Elm Place

Architect: George L. Dahl & Thomas E. Stanly

The 50-story Elm Place, initially was First National Bank when it opened, the skyscraper was the tallest west of the Mississippi River for a brief time and the tallest in Dallas from 1965 to 1974, when the 56-story First International Bldg. (Renaissance Tower) was constructed. This tower has dark-gray windows and accented by distinctive stripes made of Italian white marble. The base also of white marble is a raised platform of eight floors and occupies most of the downtown block area. Although two of the floors are indented under the base therefore making way for open spaces that surround the lower base. To help support the upper floors of the base is the series of four-story arch-like supporting columns on each side of the rectangle base. The tower of six sides rises from the rectangle base off-center and the building features a landscape plaza setting atop the marble base platform, consisting of small trees and shrubs that encircle the tower. At night the distinctive stripes of this skyscraper are illuminated to outline the tower, mostly on holidays or special events.

Top view drawing.

Elm Place from Thanks-Giving Square