William R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower

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William R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower
Information
Location 312 8th Avenue North
Nashville, Tennessee
Flag of the United States United States
Status Complete
Constructed 1970
Use Office
Roof 452 ft (138 m)
Floor count 31
Companies
Architect Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill LLP
Owner State of Tennessee

The William R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower (also known as the Tennessee Tower) is skyscraper in downtown Nashville, Tennessee that houses Tennessee government offices. The tower was built for the National Life and Accident Insurance Company and served as its National Life Center until the State of Tennessee acquired it on January 3, 1994. Over 1000 state employees who had been assigned to numerous locations now work in the building.[1]

The building is named in honor of William R. Snodgrass, a career public servant who served as Tennessee's Comptroller of the Treasury from 1955 till 1999.

The tower was struck by lightning on August 31, 2003, which caused a firepump to turn on the sprinkler system. This caused flooding and extensive damage to the elevator shafts.[2]

Prior to being purchased by the state, the building was used to display messages by turning on lights in the windows on the front of the building. After being dormant for 10 years a new message - "Peace" was displayed on December 17, 2007.[3]

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Preceded by
Life & Casualty Tower
Tallest Building in Nashville
1970—1986
138m
Succeeded by
Fifth Third Center