List of tallest buildings in Dallas
Dallas, the third largest city in the U.S. state of Texas, is the site of 36 completed high-rises over , 19 of which stand taller than . The tallest building in the city is the Bank of America Plaza, which rises in Downtown Dallas and was completed in 1985. It also stands as the 3rd-tallest building in Texas and the 28th-tallest building in the United States. The second-tallest skyscraper in the city is the Renaissance Tower, which rises and was completed in 1974. The Comerica Bank Tower, completed in 1987 and rising , is the third-tallest building in Dallas. Three of the ten tallest buildings in Texas are located 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.