Corrigan Tower
Encyclopedia
Corrigan Tower, also known as 1900 Pacific, is a high rise
located at 1900 Pacific Avenue in the City Center District of Dallas
, Texas
. The building contains 20 floors of office space and is of modernist design
. It is situated on the high-traffic corner of St. Paul Street, Live Oak Street and Pacific Avenue, across from Aston Park
and the future Pacific Plaza Park
. It lies within the Harwood Historic District
, but is not a contributing structure.
.
After developer Leo Corrigan purchased the Tower Petroleum Building in 1942, Corrigan Tower was designed by architect Wyatt C. Hedrick
as a 215000 square feet (19,974.2 m²) addition to the adjoining building. The new building was connected on floors 4-14, creating a two-building complex with 325000 square feet (30,193.5 m²) of general office space. Construction began in 1951 and the building opened in 1952.
To preserve the Tower Theater, it was necessary for Corrigan Tower to build around the structure along Pacific Avenue. A new fire stair for evacuation of the theater balcony was constructed, which led from the balcony through the building to St. Paul Street. Corrigan Tower was separated by a 20 feet (6 m) light well to preserve the north façade of the Tower Petroleum Building. The two buildings shared a wall only at the easternmost bay, which allowed occupants of Corrigan Tower to exit directly into Tower Petroleum and access the building’s fire stair. The entrance to the building was located on St. Paul Street (although patrons could also enter through the Tower Petroleum Building), and the lobby featured 5 high speed elevators. The building became a popular location for insurance and financial service tenants.
The building's lower levels were heavily altered during a renovation in 1979, although the upper levels were never changed. The Tower Theater was demolished and in its place was constructed a new, 3-story entrance and lobby on Pacific Avenue which was connected to the original lobby space. Black granite was added to the base of the building to match the Tower Petroleum Building. A few years later during the construction of 1700 Pacific
across St. Paul Street, a skybridge
was constructed within the light well to connect the buildings with neighboring Pacific Place
and the Dallas Pedestrian Network
.
The building was sold in 1995. By 2003 the building was closed and options for residential conversion were being considered, included using the Corrigan Tower as a parking garage for the neighboring Tower Petroleum Building. In 2007 the owner, Rita Sweeney, requested $12 million in incentives from the City of Dallas to demolish the structure and in its place construct a 52-story condominium tower designed by Michael Graves
. Parking would have been provided beneath the future Pacific Plaza Park
. After Rita Sweeney's death in 2007 and the economic recession, however, the project was put on hold and the property listed for sale.
High Rise
High Rise is a 1975 novel by J. G. Ballard. It takes place in an ultra-modern, luxury high-rise building.-Plot summary:The building seems to give its well-established tenants all the conveniences and commodities that modern life has to offer: swimming pools, its own school, a supermarket,...
located at 1900 Pacific Avenue in the City Center District of Dallas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. The building contains 20 floors of office space and is of modernist design
Modern architecture
Modern architecture is generally characterized by simplification of form and creation of ornament from the structure and theme of the building. It is a term applied to an overarching movement, with its exact definition and scope varying widely...
. It is situated on the high-traffic corner of St. Paul Street, Live Oak Street and Pacific Avenue, across from Aston Park
Aston Park, Dallas
Aston Park is a public park located in downtown Dallas, Texas, USA. The park is located on a triangle of land located between Pacific, Harwood and Live Oak in the City Center District.-History:...
and the future Pacific Plaza Park
Pacific Plaza Park
Pacific Plaza Park will be a public park located in downtown Dallas, Texas, USA. The park will be located between St. Paul Street and Harwood Street, north of Pacific Avenue in the City Center District. The City of Dallas acquired the land—currently parking lots—with help from the Trust for Public...
. It lies within the Harwood Historic District
Harwood Historic District
The Harwood Historic District is a historic commercial district and Dallas Landmark District on the east end of downtown Dallas, Texas lying in parts of the City Center District, Main Street District and Farmers Market District...
, but is not a contributing structure.
History
The site was previously the location of small commercial structures and the 1,500 seat Tower Theater, which was located at the rear of and accessed through the Tower Petroleum BuildingTower Petroleum Building
The Tower Petroleum Building is a historic Art Deco Skyscraper located at 1907 Elm Street in the City Center District of Downtown Dallas...
.
After developer Leo Corrigan purchased the Tower Petroleum Building in 1942, Corrigan Tower was designed by architect Wyatt C. Hedrick
Wyatt C. Hedrick
Wyatt Cephus Hedrick was an American architect, engineer, and developer most active in Texas and the American South....
as a 215000 square feet (19,974.2 m²) addition to the adjoining building. The new building was connected on floors 4-14, creating a two-building complex with 325000 square feet (30,193.5 m²) of general office space. Construction began in 1951 and the building opened in 1952.
To preserve the Tower Theater, it was necessary for Corrigan Tower to build around the structure along Pacific Avenue. A new fire stair for evacuation of the theater balcony was constructed, which led from the balcony through the building to St. Paul Street. Corrigan Tower was separated by a 20 feet (6 m) light well to preserve the north façade of the Tower Petroleum Building. The two buildings shared a wall only at the easternmost bay, which allowed occupants of Corrigan Tower to exit directly into Tower Petroleum and access the building’s fire stair. The entrance to the building was located on St. Paul Street (although patrons could also enter through the Tower Petroleum Building), and the lobby featured 5 high speed elevators. The building became a popular location for insurance and financial service tenants.
The building's lower levels were heavily altered during a renovation in 1979, although the upper levels were never changed. The Tower Theater was demolished and in its place was constructed a new, 3-story entrance and lobby on Pacific Avenue which was connected to the original lobby space. Black granite was added to the base of the building to match the Tower Petroleum Building. A few years later during the construction of 1700 Pacific
1700 Pacific
1700 Pacific is a skyscraper located at 1700 Pacific Avenue in the City Center District of Dallas, Texas. The building rises 655 feet and contains 50 floors of office space. It is the seventh tallest building in the city, at 655 feet and has fifty floors...
across St. Paul Street, a skybridge
Skybridge
Skybridge may refer to:* an alternate term for skyway.* The bridge named Skybridge in Vancouver, Canada.* The bridge named Skye Bridge in Britain.* The bridge named Langkawi Sky Bridge in Malaysia.* The Skybridge Building in Chicago, United States....
was constructed within the light well to connect the buildings with neighboring Pacific Place
Pacific Place (Dallas, Texas)
Pacific Place is a Class-A skyscraper located at 1910 Pacific Avenue in the City Center District of Dallas, Texas. The structure contains 20 floors of office space and stands adjacent to the historic Majestic Theatre. It is connected to the Dallas Pedestrian Network and sits across Pacific Avenue...
and the Dallas Pedestrian Network
Dallas Pedestrian Network
The Dallas Pedestrian Network is a system of grade-separated walkways covering thirty-six city blocks of downtown Dallas, Texas, USA. The system connects buildings, garages and parks through underground tunnels and above-ground skybridges...
.
The building was sold in 1995. By 2003 the building was closed and options for residential conversion were being considered, included using the Corrigan Tower as a parking garage for the neighboring Tower Petroleum Building. In 2007 the owner, Rita Sweeney, requested $12 million in incentives from the City of Dallas to demolish the structure and in its place construct a 52-story condominium tower designed by Michael Graves
Michael Graves
Michael Graves is an American architect. Identified as one of The New York Five, Graves has become a household name with his designs for domestic products sold at Target stores in the United States....
. Parking would have been provided beneath the future Pacific Plaza Park
Pacific Plaza Park
Pacific Plaza Park will be a public park located in downtown Dallas, Texas, USA. The park will be located between St. Paul Street and Harwood Street, north of Pacific Avenue in the City Center District. The City of Dallas acquired the land—currently parking lots—with help from the Trust for Public...
. After Rita Sweeney's death in 2007 and the economic recession, however, the project was put on hold and the property listed for sale.