Museum Tower (Dallas)
Museum Tower is the 15th-tallest structure in Dallas, tied with both the Reunion Tower and Cityplace Center in height. Among all-residential buildings in Dallas it is surpassed in height only by the Republic Center Tower I, with its spire. However, if measuring by roof height, and thereby excluding the Republic Center Tower I's spire, Museum Tower is taller. It also breaks the record for the highest residence in Dallas, surpassing the Republic I. The Museum Tower is the 4th-tallest building in Dallas' Arts District, behind Chase Tower, Fountain Place, and the Trammell Crow Center; with Bank Of America Plaza being the tallest building in Dallas.
Praetorian Building
The Praetorian Tower was conceived as the national headquarters of the Praetorian Order, a fraternal insurance company based in Dallas. The mostly empty plot of land at Main Street and Stone Street had previously hosted the circus, medicine shows and college football events. In 1905 the Order announced a six story, fireproof building capable of expanding eight additional floors. Months later, plans were changed to construction a 15 story building—the first skyscraper in Dallas. Construction began in late 1905 and after several delays the frame of the $800,000 building was complete in 1907 and it finally opened to visitors on February 28, 1909. Designed by C.W. Bulger & Son, its unique neoclassical exterior was fitted with gray granite pillars, gold ornamentation, and terra cotta columns on a brick and steel structural frame, while the interior was finished with African mahogany, tile and marble. The building was heated by steam, featured three modern elevators of the time and contained 2 artesian wells. Each office featured electricity, telegraph and telephone connections and hot and cold running water. A rooftop observatory provided views over the growing city and up to over rural landscape.