Praetorian Building

Infobox Skyscraper
building_name= Stone Place Tower
"Praetorian Building"


Depiction of the Praetorian Building on a 1908 postcard
location= 1607 Main Street, Dallas, Texas, United States
status=
groundbreaking= 1906
constructed= 1906-1909
opening= 1909
roof= 190 feet (58 m)
floor_count= 14

The Praetorian Building, officially known as Stone Place Tower, is a high-rise building in Dallas, Texas. The building was constructed in 1909, and was the tallest building in Dallas until 1912. It stands 190 feet (58 meters) tall, with 14 floors. [cite web|url=http://www.dallasarchitecture.info/tall.htm|title=The Tallest Buildings in Dallas|accessdate=2007-10-06|publisher=Dallas Architecture] The Praetorian Building is notably regarded as the first skyscraper in the city of Dallas and the state of Texas.cite web|url=http://www.dallaspioneers.org/stories/historical.php?ID=330|title=DALLAS' FIRST SKYSCRAPER|accessdate=2007-10-19|publisher=Dallas County Pioneer Association] It is also classified as the first skyscraper to be constructed in the Southwestern United States, and sometimes even considered to be the first skyscraper in the entire Western United States. However, depending on one's definition of "the West", this title could also go to the 1885 Lumber Exchange Building in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

History

The Praetorian Tower was constructed in 1909 to serve as the headquarters of the Praetorian Order, an insurance company based in Dallas.cite web|url=http://dallaslibrary.org/ctx/photogallery/downtownliving/praetorian.htm|title=Praetorian Building|accessdate=2007-10-19|publisher=Dallas Public Library] Its unique neoclassical exterior was fitted with gray granite pillars, gold ornamentation, and terra cotta columns.

In 1960, The Praetorian Mutual Life Insurance Company, which had evolved from the Praetorian Order, paid to have the building refitted and modernized. This included an exterior renovation, and the building was reclad with a metal skin and the floors plates were expanded. [cite web|url=http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=st1placetower-dallas-tx-usa|title=Stone Place Tower|accessdate=2007-10-06|publisher=Emporis.com] Praetorian Mutual Life moved to Rome, Georgia in 1993. The Praetorian Building was sold and renamed to "Stone Place Tower". It again underwent a large interior renovation, led by Corgan Associates. [cite web|url=http://www.dallasarchitecture.info/praetorian.htm|title=Stone Place Tower (formerly The Praetorian Building)|accessdate=2007-10-21|publisher=DallasArchitecture.com]

Future

In 2005, the tower was purchased by the California-based 3J Development. The company decided to again remodel the tower, but this time restoring it to its original 1909 façade. However, due to financial problems, the renovation was delayed for two years. In 2007, the building was sold yet again to a new development team, Lockey Capital. The building is again slated for remodeling, with the same goal of restoring the building's original early 20th century exterior. In addition, the building's office floors are planned to be converted into loft apartments. As of late 2007, the renovation has not been begun, but has been approved by the city.

ee also

* List of tallest buildings in Dallas
* Wilson Building

References

External links

* [http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=st1placetower-dallas-tx-usa Entry on Emporis]