Dallas Skyscrapers
The Magnolia Hotel
Architect: Sir Alfred Charles Bossom
A Dallas Historical Landmark and a National Register Landmark. This Renaissance Revival in design, tan colored lime stone building was started in 1921 and completed in August of 1922. At 29-stories, the building was one of the tallest west of the Mississippi River. The building was built for the Magnolia Petroleum Company later known as Socony and Mobil Oil Corp.
The building's main body is U-shape to form a two-part scheme. The twin pavilions are above a three-story base for a total of 24-stories from street level. The upper five-stories above the pavilions include the attic, with hipped roofs of green Spanish-tile. The remaining four-stories are vaulted sections of penthouses including the former observation deck that are set at back to top off the building. To help support the front upper portion of the building's separated pavilions is the decorative arch bridge, which is connected by interior steel beams to steel columns on the 17th and 18th levels. On the building's east side the three story base partly extends outward allowing for another full but narrow 24-story pavilion wing that rises from the back east portion. The building also includes an ornate smokestack or chimney atop the roof and two basement levels below street level. The interior of the building is as interesting as the exterior, it has many decorative features.
Today this building has been restored preserving its quality features with respect and is now the Magnolia Hotel with 330 guest rooms.
The Magnolia Petroleum corporate logo, evolved into the most famous icon for the city, and now is perceived as an inspirational symbol of triumph over adversity.
In 1934 the American Petroleum Institute scheduled its annual meeting in Dallas. In honor of the event, the Magnolia Petroleum Company erected a giant Flying Red Horse (Pegasus) their company trademark atop the roof. The Flying Red Horse is anchored to a 50-foot metal tower that resembles an oil derrick. The 40-foot long by 30-foot tall red neon horse is actually a double-horse sign back to back that would illuminate and rotate. The brightly lit red horse became a beacon, a landmark for residents and visitors alike. Many claimed the Flying Red Horse was visible 75-miles away on a clear night. The Flying Red Horse Pegasus, instantly became the landmark symbol for the City of Dallas and remained one of the most striking features of the Dallas skyline.
In 1976 Mobil Oil sold the building and donated the Flying Red Horse to the City. As time passed Pegasus got a bit rusty, stopped turning in the 1970s and its neon lights went out in 1997. It was taken down in mid 1999 to be restored but was beyond repair, therefore it was completely reconstructed. To help ring in 2000, the new Pegasus was put atop the building's roof to illuminate again in time for the Dallas Millennium Celebrations downtown. Its rebirth is proven testimony of its legacy.
The original Flying Red Horse Pegasus is now stored in the Dallas Farmers Market area.
Pegasus with Reunion Tower in the background.
South front side looking up.
North back side with Pegasus in view.
Interesting Facts:
In 1922, when the Magnolia Building was completed, the population of Dallas was 160,000 and the building was the 16th tallest in the United States. The building made Dallas the skyscraper city of the South and Southwest. Most of the taller buildings were located in New York City with the exception of only three. The architect for the building was English international famed, Sir Alfred Charles Bossom (1881-1965) who often proudly confirmed that the Magnolia Building was taller than any building in Europe. The Magnolia Building was built in a tight setting at the northeast corner of Commerce and Akard Streets and on the north side, it almost connected with a 17-story building, only about ten feet separated both buildings. Therefore, the architect in his plans included the extension of the three story base outward from the east side and the narrow 24-story pavilion wing at the back east side. These additions were done to prevent any future high-rise building from being too close to the upper main body of the east side of the Magnolia Building.
The cost of the building was $4 million and included innovative features that are still unsurpassed today. Bossom is also responsible for about a dozen Dallas area buildings including another landmark, The Maple Terrace Apartments, built in 1925.
A Magnolia twin? Built in 1925, the old 15-story Dallas Hilton Hotel was designed by the architectural firm of Lang and Witchell of Dallas and bears a very strong resemblance to the Magnolia Building. Now called The Aristocrat a Holiday Inn Hotel located in the eastern sector of downtown Dallas. The exact location is the northwest corner of Main and Harwood Streets. Although a smaller version, it has a base of three stories with the two massive pavilions to form the U shape body. The building includes the ornamental bridge on the tenth and eleventh floors to connect both pavilions. Like the Magnolia Building, it was restored and the building is a nationally registered landmark.
