Philtower Building
Encyclopedia
The Philtower Building is a landmark of Tulsa, Oklahoma
located at 427 S Boston. The building, which was completed in 1928, is an example of neo-gothic and art deco
architecture designed by Edward Buehler Delk
and financed by renowned oilman and dedicated philanthropist Waite Phillips
(1883 - 1964). It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1979.
In 1941, Phillips deeded the Philtower Building to the Boy Scouts of America
(BSA), along with most of his Philmont Ranch
and Villa Philmonte
. The income from the building was used to help support Philmont. In 1977, the BSA sold the Building to a group of local investors. This group, The Philtower LLC, is the current owner.
According to the Tulsa Preservation Commission, the building represents the Gothic Revival architecture
style. A notable feature is the illuminated, sloping tiled roof. The office on the 20th floor that was used by Waite Phillips has been preserved.
Originally built as a high-rise office building, floors 12-20 were converted to loft apartments in 2004, making the Philtower Tulsa's first mixed use high-rise. The building has 24 floors and is 323 feet tall.
Associated architects Keene & Simpson
performed architectural supervision in the construction of the building.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
located at 427 S Boston. The building, which was completed in 1928, is an example of neo-gothic and art deco
Art Deco
Art deco , or deco, is an eclectic artistic and design style that began in Paris in the 1920s and flourished internationally throughout the 1930s, into the World War II era. The style influenced all areas of design, including architecture and interior design, industrial design, fashion and...
architecture designed by Edward Buehler Delk
Edward Buehler Delk
Edward Buehler Delk was a prominent architect who designed many landmark buildings in the Midwest and Southwest regions of The United States.Delk was born in 22 Sep 1885 Schoharie, New York. He graduated from University of Pennsylvania in 1907...
and financed by renowned oilman and dedicated philanthropist Waite Phillips
Waite Phillips
Waite Phillips was an American petroleum businessman who created a fully integrated operation that combined petroleum producing, refining and marketing. With headquarters in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he also developed several office complexes and engaged in banking and ranching...
(1883 - 1964). It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1979.
In 1941, Phillips deeded the Philtower Building to the Boy Scouts of America
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
(BSA), along with most of his Philmont Ranch
Philmont Scout Ranch
Philmont Scout Ranch is a large, rugged, mountainous ranch located near the town of Cimarron, New Mexico, covering approximately of wilderness in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of the Rocky Mountains of northern New Mexico...
and Villa Philmonte
Villa Philmonte
The Villa Philmonte is a large ranch manor located outside of Cimarron, New Mexico, on the Philmont Scout Ranch property of the Boy Scouts of America....
. The income from the building was used to help support Philmont. In 1977, the BSA sold the Building to a group of local investors. This group, The Philtower LLC, is the current owner.
According to the Tulsa Preservation Commission, the building represents the Gothic Revival architecture
Gothic Revival architecture
The Gothic Revival is an architectural movement that began in the 1740s in England...
style. A notable feature is the illuminated, sloping tiled roof. The office on the 20th floor that was used by Waite Phillips has been preserved.
Originally built as a high-rise office building, floors 12-20 were converted to loft apartments in 2004, making the Philtower Tulsa's first mixed use high-rise. The building has 24 floors and is 323 feet tall.
Associated architects Keene & Simpson
Keene & Simpson
Keene & Simpson was an American architectural firm of partners Arthur Samuel Keene and Leslie B. Simpson from 1909-1955, after which it became Keene and Simpson and Murphy....
performed architectural supervision in the construction of the building.
External links
- Philtower Official Site
- Philtower at Skyscraper Page
- Voices of Oklahoma interview with Elliot "Chope" and Virginia Phillips. First person interview conducted on May 5, 2009 with Elliot "Chope" and Virginia Phillips, son and daughter-in-law of Waite Phillips. Original audio and transcript archived with Voices of Oklahoma oral history project.