Renaissance Tower

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Renaissance Tower
Information
Location	Dallas, Texas (USA)
Status	Complete
Constructed	1964
Opening	1974
Use	office
Height
Antenna/Spire	270 metre (886 foot)
Roof	216metre (710 ft)
Floor count	56
Companies
Architect	Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum

Renaissance Tower, located at 1201 Elm Street in downtown Dallas, Texas is a 56-story modern-styled skyscraper. Standing at a structural height of 886 feet (270 m), it is the second tallest skyscraper in Dallas. It is also the fifth tallest building in Texas and the 23rd tallest building in the United States. The building was designed by the architectural firm Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum, completed in 1974, and renovated by architects Skidmore, Owings and Merrill in 1986.

At the time of completion in 1964, it was the tallest building in Dallas at 710 feet (216 m). In 1985, it was surpassed by Fountain Place and Bank of America Plaza, which became Dallas' tallest building by far. It was also clear that Renaissance Tower would be overtaken by two other buildings under construction (Comerica Bank Tower and JPMorgan Chase Tower). Therefore, in order to regain some status, the building underwent a major renovation in 1986 which re-glassed the exterior of the building and placed several decorative broadcast towers on top, one of which was 176 feet (54 m) tall. This brought the structural height of the building up to 886 ft (270 m), securing its place as the second tallest building in Dallas. (However, if one were to exclude antennas and spires, the Renaissance Tower is currently the fifth tallest building in Dallas.)

At the base of the building, there is a glass-pyramid structure that houses an underground food court. The food court connects to other nearby structures with tunnels. Renaissance Tower also currently houses the corporate headquarters of Blockbuster.

[edit] In popular culture

In early seasons of the popular television series Dallas, the Renaissance Tower is the home of Ewing Oil.

[edit] See also

• List of tallest buildings in Dallas
• List of tallest buildings in Texas
• List of tallest buildings in the United States

[edit] External links

• Renaissance Tower is at coordinates 32°46′53″N 96°48′07″W / 32.7812840, -96.8020640 (Renaissance Tower)Coordinates: 32°46′53″N 96°48′07″W / 32.7812840, -96.8020640 (Renaissance Tower)

Preceded by Elm Place	Tallest Building in Dallas 1974—1985 270m	Succeeded by Bank of America Plaza
Preceded by Tower of the Americas	Tallest Building in Texas 1974—1982 270m	Succeeded by JPMorgan Chase Tower (Houston)

v • d • e Skyscrapers in Dallas Current Bank of America Plaza · Renaissance Tower · Comerica Bank Tower · JPMorgan Chase Tower · Fountain Place · Trammell Crow Center · 1700 Pacific Avenue · Thanksgiving Tower · Energy Plaza · Elm Place · Republic Center Tower I · Republic Center Tower II · One AT&T Plaza · Lincoln Plaza · Cityplace Center · Reunion Tower · Adam's Mark Hotel Center Tower · Mercantile National Bank Building · Bryan Tower · Magnolia Hotel · Harwood Center · KPMG Centre · 2100 Ross Avenue · Renaissance Hotel · One Dallas Center · Adam's Mark Hotel North Tower · One Main Place · W Dallas Victory Hotel & Residences · 1600 Pacific Tower · The Mondrian · Adolphus Hotel · Davis Building · Kirby Building · Praetorian Building Proposed Museum Tower · Dallas Convention Center Hotel · Cityplace Station Tower Under construction Victory Tower See also List of tallest buildings in Dallas