320 South Boston Building
Encyclopedia
The 320 South Boston Building, formerly known as the National Bank of Tulsa Building, is a 22-story highrise building located in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma
. It was originally constructed at the corner of Third Street and Boston Avenue as a ten-story headquarters building for the Exchange National Bank of Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1917
, and expanded to its present dimensions in 1929
. The addition brought the building's height to 400 feet (122 m), making it the tallest building in Oklahoma. It lost this distinction in 1931, but remained the tallest building in Tulsa until Fourth National Bank (today Bank of America Center) was completed in 1967.
In 1933, Exchange National Bank reorganized and renamed itself as the National Bank of Tulsa. Thereafter, the building was known as the National Bank of Tulsa Building (or NBT Building), until the bank renamed itself as Bank of Oklahoma (BOK)
. The BOK moved to its newly-constructed BOK Tower
in 1977. The NBT Building reverted to its former 320 South Boston Building name and became a general office building.
Like the Empire State Building
, the pinnacle of 320 South Boston was designed as a Zeppelin
mooring. This was used at least once when a U.S. Navy Zeppelin moored there in the 1930s. The top of the building was illuminated for weather alerts
, with flashing red lights in the event of an approaching storm.
The architect was George Winkler, who also designed the Mayo Hotel
.
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma and 46th-largest city in the United States. With a population of 391,906 as of the 2010 census, it is the principal municipality of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, a region with 937,478 residents in the MSA and 988,454 in the CSA. Tulsa's...
. It was originally constructed at the corner of Third Street and Boston Avenue as a ten-story headquarters building for the Exchange National Bank of Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1917
1917 in architecture
The year 1917 in architecture involved some significant events.-Buildings:*The Het Schip housing scheme designed by Michel de Klerk in Amsterdam is started.*The Lister County Courthouse is started in Solvesborg, Sweden...
, and expanded to its present dimensions in 1929
1929 in architecture
The year 1929 in architecture involved some significant events.-Buildings:* The Barcelona Pavilion, designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, is erected.* Royal York Hotel in Toronto, Ontario is completed and becomes the tallest building in the British Empire....
. The addition brought the building's height to 400 feet (122 m), making it the tallest building in Oklahoma. It lost this distinction in 1931, but remained the tallest building in Tulsa until Fourth National Bank (today Bank of America Center) was completed in 1967.
In 1933, Exchange National Bank reorganized and renamed itself as the National Bank of Tulsa. Thereafter, the building was known as the National Bank of Tulsa Building (or NBT Building), until the bank renamed itself as Bank of Oklahoma (BOK)
BOK Financial Corporation
BOK Financial Corporation , based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a financial services company in the West South Central States region of the United States. The corporate headquarters is located in the BOK Tower in downtown Tulsa. BOK Financial's holdings include BOKF, NA, BOSC, Inc, Cavanal Hill Investment...
. The BOK moved to its newly-constructed BOK Tower
BOK Tower
BOK Tower, formerly One Williams Center, is a skyscraper in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma. At 203 m in height, the 52-story tower was the tallest building in any of the five "Plains States": Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota, as well as the surrounding states of Missouri,...
in 1977. The NBT Building reverted to its former 320 South Boston Building name and became a general office building.
Like the Empire State Building
Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is a 102-story landmark skyscraper and American cultural icon in New York City at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and West 34th Street. It has a roof height of 1,250 feet , and with its antenna spire included, it stands a total of 1,454 ft high. Its name is derived...
, the pinnacle of 320 South Boston was designed as a Zeppelin
Zeppelin
A Zeppelin is a type of rigid airship pioneered by the German Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin in the early 20th century. It was based on designs he had outlined in 1874 and detailed in 1893. His plans were reviewed by committee in 1894 and patented in the United States on 14 March 1899...
mooring. This was used at least once when a U.S. Navy Zeppelin moored there in the 1930s. The top of the building was illuminated for weather alerts
Weather beacon
A weather beacon is a beacon that indicates the local weather forecast in a code of colored or flashing lights. Often, a short poem or jingle accompanies the code to make it easier to remember....
, with flashing red lights in the event of an approaching storm.
The architect was George Winkler, who also designed the Mayo Hotel
Mayo Hotel
The Mayo Hotel is a historic building located in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma at 115 West 5th Street. This Chicago School Building was built in 1925. It was designed by architect George Winkler and financed by John D. and Cass A. Mayo...
.