Founders Tower (Oklahoma City)

Last updated
Founders Tower
Unitedfounders 10 29 07 c.jpg
Founders Tower (Oklahoma City)
Former namesUnited Founders Life Tower
The 360 at Founders Plaza
General information
Type Residential
Architectural style Googie
Location5900 Mosteller Dr.,
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Coordinates 35°31′53″N97°34′17″W / 35.53139°N 97.57139°W / 35.53139; -97.57139
Construction started1962
Completed1964
Renovated20072008
Height
Roof275 ft (84 m)
Technical details
Floor count20
Floor area178,000 sq ft (17,000 m2)
Lifts/elevators4
Design and construction
Architect(s)Hudgins, Thompson, Ball & Associates
Official nameUnited Founders Life Tower
DesignatedApril 15, 2013
Reference no.13000076 [1]

Founders Tower (formerly known as the United Founders Life Tower and The 360 at Founders Plaza) is a Googie-style residential skyscraper located northwest of downtown Oklahoma City in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The tower is one of the most well-known landmarks in the city skyline. [2] It has a height of 275 feet (84 m) and 20  stories, with a restaurant called 360 featuring 360-degree panoramic views of Oklahoma City on its top floor.

Contents

Founders Tower was the second building in the nation to have a revolving restaurantthe first being at the Space Needle, [3] though the restaurant no longer revolves. The building was originally finished in 1964 as an office building but was redeveloped into upscale residences. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.

Design

Founders Tower consists of a 275-foot (84 m), cylindrical tower. From the ground floor to the 19th floor, the building has a diameter of 92 feet (28 m), which expands to 108 feet (33 m) at the 20th. [4] Small, cantilever balconies are located at the vertices of each of the buildings ten faces from the 3rd floor to the 14th; wider balconies protrude from each face from the 15th to the 19th floor. Founders Tower contains a total of 63  condominiums: four each on floors 3 through 17, one that takes up the entire 18th floor, and two penthouses on the 19th. [3] Unusual for a skyscraper is its "folded plate" concrete roof, rather thin-shell concrete. In addition to creating the distinctive zigzag pattern of the building's crown, it enabled the 20th floor to be free of load-bearing columns. [5] The 20th floor includes the tower's restaurant space, which houses The George Prime Steakhouse as of 2013. [6] The restaurant no longer revolves. [7]

The design of Founders Tower is representative of the Googie, also called "Populuxe", architectural style prevalent at a time when much of the United States was enamored with spaceflight. [3] [8] It was, also, largely influenced by the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Price Tower in Bartlesville, Oklahoma and the Space Needle in Seattle, Washington. Because the available offices in Founders Tower "were small, awkwardand shaped like slices of pie" as a consequence of its circular design, it could have only been used for "small, low-rent" offices [3] That layout and the presence of balconies, something that was irrelevant in an office setting, made it suitable, however, as a residential building. [3] [9]

History

The United Founders Life Tower was built by the real estate development arm of the United Founders Life Insurance Corporation. In addition to being the primary tenants of the skyscraper, the company expected to profit from the development of the mostly rural land surrounding the tower. [10] When it was completed in 1964, the Founders Tower was the first skyscraper to be built in Oklahoma City outside of downtown. [11] Its relatively isolated location in northwestern Oklahoma City and its unusual design spurred the development of the area. [12] At the time the Space Needle inaugurated the first revolving restaurant in the United States at the World's Fair in Seattle, the design of Founders Tower was the first one changed to incorporate its own revolving restaurant in the United States. [3] [13] Founders Tower is one of only three office buildings in the U.S. to include a revolving restaurant. [8]

It was purchased by 1978 by Northwest Investors Limited for $15.5 million; Northwest Investors also received a $5.8 million loaned at the same time. [14] The building was sold in 1981 for $11.1 million to California-based National Capitol Real Estate Trust in 1981, with Northwest Investors retaining 25 percent ownership. The building was certified as a nuclear fallout shelter by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in 1983. [15] United Founders foreclosed on Founders Tower in 1986 after National Capitol defaulted on loan payments for the remaining $4.92 million. It was sold at sheriff's sale on November 5, 1986 to the Protective Life Insurance Corporation, the parent company of United Founders. [16] [17] The tower was sold on April 24, 1989 to the U.S. Swedish investment group, Growth Fund International Limited for $2.5 million. [17] In 1996, Founders Tower was sold to Hebron Corporation, a subsidiary of the long-distance calling provider AmeriVision, for $3.3 million. [18]

In 2005, Founders Tower was purchased, along with 7.5 acres (3.0 ha) of surrounding land, for $4.6 million by the Bridgeport Development Group. [9] The next year, a $50 million renovation, to convert the office building into condominiums and to reverse the 15 years of neglect from the constant buying-and-selling by out-of-state investors, was announced. [9] [17] At the same time, the building was renamed "The 360 at Founders Plaza", a reference to the view from the building and its revolving restaurant. [19] During the renovations from 2007 to 2008, the building's original, darkly-tinted, glass panes were replaced with modern, energy-efficient, turquoise-colored glass. [9] The building's name was returned to Founders Tower in January 2010. [19] It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 15, 2013. [1]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Hancock Center</span> Skyscraper in Chicago, Illinois

The John Hancock Center is a 100-story, 1,128-foot supertall skyscraper located in Chicago, Illinois. Located in the Magnificent Mile district, the building was officially renamed 875 North Michigan Avenue in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Space Needle</span> Observation tower in Seattle, Washington, U.S.

The Space Needle is an observation tower in Seattle, Washington, United States. Considered to be an icon of the city, it has been designated a Seattle landmark. Located in the Lower Queen Anne neighborhood, it was built in the Seattle Center for the 1962 World's Fair, which drew over 2.3 million visitors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Columbia Center</span> Skyscraper in Seattle, US

The Columbia Center, formerly named the Bank of America Tower and Columbia Seafirst Center, is a skyscraper in downtown Seattle, Washington, United States. The 76-story structure is the tallest building in the state of Washington, reaching a height of 933 ft (284 m). At the time of its completion, the Columbia Center was the tallest structure on the West Coast; as of 2017, it is the fourth-tallest, behind buildings in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Price Tower</span> Building in Bartlesville, Oklahoma

The Price Tower is a nineteen-story, 221-foot-high tower at 510 South Dewey Avenue in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, United States. Built in 1956, it was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. It is the only realized skyscraper by Wright, and is one of only two vertically oriented Wright structures extant; the other is the S.C. Johnson Wax Research Tower in Racine, Wisconsin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Johns Beacon</span> Radio and observation tower in Liverpool, England

St Johns Beacon is a radio and observation tower in Liverpool, England. Designed by James A. Roberts Associates, it was built in 1969 and opened by Queen Elizabeth II. The tower is 138 metres (453 ft) tall, and is the second-tallest free-standing structure in Liverpool. It has a 10 m (33 ft) long antenna on the roof, making it the tallest structure in Liverpool when antennas are included.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Revolving restaurant</span> Restaurant eating space designed to rest atop a broad circular revolving platform

A revolving restaurant or rotating restaurant is a tower restaurant designed to rest atop a broad circular revolving platform that operates as a large turntable. The building remains stationary and the diners are carried on the revolving floor. The revolving rate varies between one and three times per hour and enables patrons to enjoy a panoramic view without leaving their seats. Such restaurants are often located on upper stories of hotels, communication towers, and skyscrapers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gold Dome</span> United States historic place

The Gold Dome, a geodesic dome in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is a landmark on Route 66. It was built in 1958 and is located at the intersection of NW 23rd Street and North Classen Boulevard. It was declared eligible to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercantile National Bank Building</span> Skyscraper in Dallas, Texas

The Mercantile National Bank Building is a 31-story, 159.4 m (523 ft) skyscraper at 1800 Main Street in the Main Street district of downtown Dallas, Texas. It is the former home of the Mercantile National Bank, which later became MCorp Bank. The design of the skyscraper features Moderne styling from the Art Deco era and was designed by Walter W. Ahlschlager. The building has a series of setbacks that is crowned by an ornamental four-sided clock along with a decorative weather spire. The Merc was the main element of a four-building complex that eventually spanned a full city block.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SkyCity</span> Defunct restaurant and bar in Seattle, Washington, U.S.

SkyCity was a revolving restaurant and bar situated atop the Space Needle in Seattle, Washington, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">First National Center (Oklahoma City)</span> Prominent mixed-use skyscraper in downtown Oklahoma City

First National Center, formerly known as First National Bank Building, is a prominent mixed-use skyscraper in downtown Oklahoma City. The art deco tower is 406 feet tall at the roof, and is 446 feet at its spire and contains 33 floors. The building was constructed in 1931 at an original square footage of 451,000 square feet (41,900 m2) by the First National Bank and Trust Company of Oklahoma City. Additions in 1957 and 1972 brought the square footage to 998,000 square feet (92,700 m2) of office space before the 2022 restoration and remodeling reduced it to 497,371 square feet (46,207.3 m2).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">50 Penn Place</span> Shopping mall in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma USA

50 Penn Place is an upscale mixed-use complex in the inner Northwest part of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The galleria-style shopping mall and tower is located at 1900 Northwest Expressway in the Penn Square trade area immediately at Interstate 44 and Northwest Expressway, across from Penn Square Mall near the exclusive suburb of Nichols Hills.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Devon Energy Center</span> Tallest building in Oklahoma

The Devon Energy Center is a 50-story corporate skyscraper in downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It is the tallest building in the city and state, though it has fewer floors than the 52-story BOK Tower in Tulsa. It is tied with Park Tower in Chicago as the 72nd tallest building in the United States; at its completion Devon Tower was tied as the 39th tallest. Construction began October 6, 2009, and was completed in October 2012. The tower is located next to the historic Colcord Hotel, which Devon currently owns, on Sheridan Avenue between Hudson and Robinson Avenues.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Skirvin Hilton Hotel</span>

The Skirvin Hotel is a 225-room hotel located in downtown Oklahoma City and the city's oldest hotel. Comprising three towers of 13 floors in an Art Deco architectural style, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strata Tower (Oklahoma City)</span> Office in Oklahoma , United States

Strata Tower at Oklahoma Commons is a prominent skyscraper in the central business district of downtown Oklahoma City, in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The tower has 30 floors and is 393 feet (120 m) tall, making it the sixth-tallest building in Oklahoma City and the eleventh-tallest in the state. It was the headquarters of gas production and exploration company SandRidge Energy Corporation. In January 2010, SandRidge announced a $100 million renovation, designed by Rogers Marvel Architects, for the building and four other buildings to be called SandRidge Commons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leadership Square</span> Office in Oklahoma, United States

Leadership Square is a mixed-use office tower complex in downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States. The complex was completed in 1984 and comprises One Leadership Square and Two Leadership Square. One Leadership Square is taller at 285 feet (87 m) and 22 stories. Two Leadership Square is 224 feet (68 m) and 16 stories. They are the 10th and 19th tallest buildings in Oklahoma City, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Regency Tower</span> Residential in Oklahoma, United States

The Regency is a 24-story residential building located at 333 Northwest 5th Street, in the northwest section of Downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The building is 238 feet tall and contains 274 apartments. Construction of the building began in 1964 and was completed in 1966, and subsequently opened in 1967.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Classen</span> High-rise in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States

The Classen is residential high-rise in the uptown section of Oklahoma City, near the city's Paseo Arts District and Asian District. The tower has 21 floors and is 273 feet tall. It is currently the third tallest residential building in the city. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colcord Hotel</span> Hotel in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.

Colcord Hotel is a luxury boutique hotel located in downtown Oklahoma City, in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The building was finished in 1909 and has been considered Oklahoma City's first skyscraper. It is 145 feet (44 m) tall and has 14 floors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corrigan Tower</span> High rise in Dallas, Texas, United States

Corrigan Tower, also known as 1900 Pacific or 1900 Pacific Residences, is a high rise located at 1900 Pacific Avenue in the City Center District of Dallas, Texas. The building contains 20 floors, now made up of apartments but originally office space, and is of modernist design. It is situated on the high-traffic corner of St. Paul Street and Pacific Avenue, across from Aston Park and the future Pacific Plaza Park. It lies within the Harwood Historic District, but is not a contributing structure.

References

  1. 1 2 "Weekly List". National Register of Historic Places Program. National Park Service. March 22, 2013. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
  2. "Founders Tower sells for $4.6 million". The Journal Record . Oklahoma City. September 6, 2005. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Morgan, Chris Brawley (September 8, 2007). "Historic landmark is home to condomimiums". The Oklahoman . Retrieved August 15, 2013.
  4. McQuillin 2013, p. 3.
  5. McQuillin 2013, p. 10.
  6. Cathey, Dave (July 1, 2013). "By George, the new restaurant on top of Founders Tower has a name". The Oklahoman. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
  7. Scott, Jenn (July 1, 2013). "Lost, Then Founders". Oklahoma Gazette . Retrieved September 6, 2013.
  8. 1 2 McQuillin 2013, p. 8.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Lackmeyer, Steve (December 6, 2006). "Founders to offer rooms with views; Offices to be transformed into living quarters". The Oklahoman. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
  10. McQuillin 2013, p. 12.
  11. McQuillin 2013, p. 11.
  12. McQuillin 2013, p. 7.
  13. McQuillin 2013, pp. 7–8.
  14. Chavez, Tim (July 30, 1986). "United Founders Foreclosing on Tower". The Oklahoman. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
  15. "Northwest metro fallout shelters listed". The Oklahoman. June 7, 1983. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
  16. Chavez, Tim (October 2, 1986). "United Founders Tower Sale to Pay Off Loans". The Oklahoman. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
  17. 1 2 3 Martin, Stacy Smith (April 22, 1989). "Florida Group Purchasing United Founders Life Tower". The Oklahoman. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
  18. Martin, Stacy (January 10, 1996). "Founders Tower Bought". The Oklahoman. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
  19. 1 2 Mize, Richard (January 15, 2010). "Founders Tower takes back its name". The Oklahoman. Retrieved August 15, 2013.

Sources