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Chase Tower (Indianapolis)
Encyclopedia
Opened in 1990 near Monument Circle
in Indianapolis
, the Chase Tower (formerly known as the Bank One Tower and originally conceived as American Fletcher Tower) is the tallest building
in Indianapolis
. It surpassed the AUL Tower (now OneAmerica Tower
) in Indianapolis for the distinction. The building's twin spires pierce 830 feet (253.0 m) into the Indianapolis skyline, while the 48 floors of office and retail space below peak at the 700 feet (214 m) roof. It is the headquarters for Chase
's (formerly Bank One's) Indiana operations. While the building has two spires of equal height, only one of them is actually functional as a transmission antenna. The other mast is merely an architectural decoration. The Chase Tower is the 38th tallest building in the United States
and 193rd tallest in the world.
The tower's step pyramidal cap reflects the design of the Indiana War Memorial
, three blocks due north. The War Memorial, in turn, reflects the descriptions of the original Mausoleum
. Because of the height of this building, its roof was specifically designed to house communications relay equipment, in order to provide additional revenue to the building's owners. Over the past several years, two large banners have occasionally been placed outside of the north and south communication bullpen areas of the roof in support of two of the city's professional sports franchises. These "GO PACERS
" and "GO COLTS
" signs are highly visible being on the tallest structure in the city.
, chairman of American Fletcher Corporation (the holding company
for American Fletcher National Bank and Trust Company (AFNB), which at the time was Indiana's largest financial institution) to allow for consolidation and expansion of his company's headquarters. Land was slowly being assembled for the building, with several predecessor structures along Ohio Street and Pennsylvania Street being demolished in those years and the early 1980s to clear the way for what McKinney hoped would soon be Indiana's tallest office tower.
Before actual construction of the building could begin, American Fletcher became the first major Indianapolis bank holding company to be sold to an out-of-state financial institution, agreeing in the spring of 1986 to merge with Ohio
's rapidly growing Bank One Corporation. Upon consummation of that merger, Mr. McKinney became chairman of Bank One's Indiana operations and tower planning picked up momentum. Ground was broken and construction began in 1988 on the newly designated Bank One Center Tower, which was to be integrated with AFNB's existing headquarters complex on Monument Circle and adjacent Market Street.
This was done mainly to secure the prestigious Monument Circle address for the new tower, which actually rises between Ohio Street and Wabash Street (the east-west alley between Market and Ohio). Thus, the Ohio Street entrance to the tower is actually the complex's back door with a concourse-style passageway on the second level running over Scioto Street (the north-south alley between Pennsylvania and Meridian) to connect the skyscraper (and its attached parking garage along Pennsylvania Street) to the main entrance in the original 1960 American National Bank Building at 111 Monument Circle.
A separate skywalk across Scioto once connected the Circle Building to the adjacent Fletcher Trust Building at 10 E. Market Street, but that was later removed after the bank moved all operations formerly located in that structure into the new tower. The Fletcher Trust Building itself was subsequently sold and has since been renovated into a Hilton Garden Inn
hotel. Banc One Corporation (later renamed Bank One Corporation) went through several additional major acquisitions before it was itself bought by J.P. Morgan Chase in the early 2000s. Upon consummation of that merger, the Indianapolis structure was renamed to become known as the Chase Tower.
Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument (Indianapolis)
The Indiana Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument is a tall neoclassical monument in the center of Indianapolis, Indiana that was designed by German architect Bruno Schmitz and completed in 1901....
in Indianapolis
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
, the Chase Tower (formerly known as the Bank One Tower and originally conceived as American Fletcher Tower) is the tallest building
Building
In architecture, construction, engineering, real estate development and technology the word building may refer to one of the following:...
in Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
. It surpassed the AUL Tower (now OneAmerica Tower
OneAmerica Tower
OneAmerica Tower is a 38-story building at 200 North Illinois Street in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. It is used by various companies for offices. The building opened in 1982 and is made of Indiana Limestone. From 1982 to 1990, the OneAmerica Tower was the tallest building in the state of Indiana...
) in Indianapolis for the distinction. The building's twin spires pierce 830 feet (253.0 m) into the Indianapolis skyline, while the 48 floors of office and retail space below peak at the 700 feet (214 m) roof. It is the headquarters for Chase
Chase (bank)
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., doing business as Chase, is a national bank that constitutes the consumer and commercial banking subsidiary of financial services firm JPMorgan Chase. The bank was known as Chase Manhattan Bank until it merged with J.P. Morgan & Co. in 2000...
's (formerly Bank One's) Indiana operations. While the building has two spires of equal height, only one of them is actually functional as a transmission antenna. The other mast is merely an architectural decoration. The Chase Tower is the 38th tallest building in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and 193rd tallest in the world.
The tower's step pyramidal cap reflects the design of the Indiana War Memorial
Indiana World War Memorial Plaza
The Indiana World War Memorial Plaza is an urban feature located in Indianapolis, Indiana, originally built to honor the veterans of World War I. The five-city-block plaza was conceived in 1919 as a location for the national headquarters of the American Legion and a memorial to the state's and...
, three blocks due north. The War Memorial, in turn, reflects the descriptions of the original Mausoleum
Mausoleum of Maussollos
The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus or Tomb of Mausolus was a tomb built between 353 and 350 BC at Halicarnassus for Mausolus, a satrap in the Persian Empire, and Artemisia II of Caria, his wife and sister....
. Because of the height of this building, its roof was specifically designed to house communications relay equipment, in order to provide additional revenue to the building's owners. Over the past several years, two large banners have occasionally been placed outside of the north and south communication bullpen areas of the roof in support of two of the city's professional sports franchises. These "GO PACERS
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
" and "GO COLTS
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
" signs are highly visible being on the tallest structure in the city.
Background and history
The tower was originally conceived in the late 1970s by the late Frank E. McKinney, Jr.Frank McKinney
Frank McKinney was a backstroke swimmer from the United States. He was later a bank executive.The son of Frank E...
, chairman of American Fletcher Corporation (the holding company
Holding company
A holding company is a company or firm that owns other companies' outstanding stock. It usually refers to a company which does not produce goods or services itself; rather, its purpose is to own shares of other companies. Holding companies allow the reduction of risk for the owners and can allow...
for American Fletcher National Bank and Trust Company (AFNB), which at the time was Indiana's largest financial institution) to allow for consolidation and expansion of his company's headquarters. Land was slowly being assembled for the building, with several predecessor structures along Ohio Street and Pennsylvania Street being demolished in those years and the early 1980s to clear the way for what McKinney hoped would soon be Indiana's tallest office tower.
Before actual construction of the building could begin, American Fletcher became the first major Indianapolis bank holding company to be sold to an out-of-state financial institution, agreeing in the spring of 1986 to merge with Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
's rapidly growing Bank One Corporation. Upon consummation of that merger, Mr. McKinney became chairman of Bank One's Indiana operations and tower planning picked up momentum. Ground was broken and construction began in 1988 on the newly designated Bank One Center Tower, which was to be integrated with AFNB's existing headquarters complex on Monument Circle and adjacent Market Street.
This was done mainly to secure the prestigious Monument Circle address for the new tower, which actually rises between Ohio Street and Wabash Street (the east-west alley between Market and Ohio). Thus, the Ohio Street entrance to the tower is actually the complex's back door with a concourse-style passageway on the second level running over Scioto Street (the north-south alley between Pennsylvania and Meridian) to connect the skyscraper (and its attached parking garage along Pennsylvania Street) to the main entrance in the original 1960 American National Bank Building at 111 Monument Circle.
A separate skywalk across Scioto once connected the Circle Building to the adjacent Fletcher Trust Building at 10 E. Market Street, but that was later removed after the bank moved all operations formerly located in that structure into the new tower. The Fletcher Trust Building itself was subsequently sold and has since been renovated into a Hilton Garden Inn
Hilton Garden Inn
Hilton Garden Inn is a chain of hotels trademarked by the Hilton Worldwide. Hilton Garden Inns are considered to be upscale mid-priced hotels that are designed for both business and leisure travelers. The hotel brand is similar to that of the Courtyard by Marriott brand, a key competitor...
hotel. Banc One Corporation (later renamed Bank One Corporation) went through several additional major acquisitions before it was itself bought by J.P. Morgan Chase in the early 2000s. Upon consummation of that merger, the Indianapolis structure was renamed to become known as the Chase Tower.
See also
- List of tallest buildings in the United States
- List of tallest buildings by U.S. state
- List of tallest buildings in Indianapolis