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Professional Building (Phoenix, Arizona)
Encyclopedia
The Professional Building in Phoenix, Arizona
is an Art Deco
skyscraper in the state of Arizona
. Built in 1932, it is 171 feet (52 meters) tall. The Professional Building is designed in the Art Deco style. Angles and setbacks are played up in this streamlined design. A central tower rises from the two story base with a wing on the western side of the building. The entrances on Central Avenue and Monroe Street feature decorative grills above the doors, which add elements to the deco design.
Upon completion, in February 1932, the Valley Bank moved into the bottom three floors with medical offices occupying the top seven.
In 1958 a large rotating Valley Bank sign was added to the top of the tower. It measured 49 feet across and could be seen from miles around. Also in 1958 another floor was added to the western wing. This floor differs slightly from the rest of the building, as it is mostly glass and it is attached to the central core tower by a 45 degree angled cantilever. (In the opening shot of Alfred Hitchcock
's 1960 film Psycho, the building along with the rotating sign can be seen as the camera pans across the then-skyline of downtown Phoenix.)
In 1972 the Valley Bank moved across the street to the tallest skyscraper in the state, its newly built headquarters, now known as Chase Tower
.
In the next two decades occupancy dwindled, yet on January 8, 1993 the Professional Building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
.
By the early 2000 the building had been vacant for years and the revolving sign had been removed.
Scottsdale based Grace Communities purchased the Professional Building. It is in the midst of a major renovation. The Professional Building will be transformed into the Hotel Monroe, a 150-room boutique hotel. Originally slated to open in October 2008, the Hotel Monroe project is temporarily on hold.
The Professional Building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1993.ref name="nris">
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
is an 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...
skyscraper in the state of Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
. Built in 1932, it is 171 feet (52 meters) tall. The Professional Building is designed in the Art Deco style. Angles and setbacks are played up in this streamlined design. A central tower rises from the two story base with a wing on the western side of the building. The entrances on Central Avenue and Monroe Street feature decorative grills above the doors, which add elements to the deco design.
History
In 1930, members of the Maricopa County Medical Society met to discuss the need for a major facility for medical, dental and laboratory offices. Coincidentally, the Valley Bank and Trust Company was preparing plans to build their headquarters. The Professional Building is the result of combining the office space needs of both entities.Upon completion, in February 1932, the Valley Bank moved into the bottom three floors with medical offices occupying the top seven.
In 1958 a large rotating Valley Bank sign was added to the top of the tower. It measured 49 feet across and could be seen from miles around. Also in 1958 another floor was added to the western wing. This floor differs slightly from the rest of the building, as it is mostly glass and it is attached to the central core tower by a 45 degree angled cantilever. (In the opening shot of Alfred Hitchcock
Alfred Hitchcock
Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, KBE was a British film director and producer. He pioneered many techniques in the suspense and psychological thriller genres. After a successful career in British cinema in both silent films and early talkies, Hitchcock moved to Hollywood...
's 1960 film Psycho, the building along with the rotating sign can be seen as the camera pans across the then-skyline of downtown Phoenix.)
In 1972 the Valley Bank moved across the street to the tallest skyscraper in the state, its newly built headquarters, now known as Chase Tower
Chase Tower (Phoenix)
The Chase Tower in Phoenix, Arizona is the tallest building in the state of Arizona. Built in 1972, it is 483 feet tall. It was originally built for local financial heavyweight Valley National Bank, which Bank One merged with in 1994...
.
In the next two decades occupancy dwindled, yet on January 8, 1993 the Professional Building 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...
.
By the early 2000 the building had been vacant for years and the revolving sign had been removed.
Scottsdale based Grace Communities purchased the Professional Building. It is in the midst of a major renovation. The Professional Building will be transformed into the Hotel Monroe, a 150-room boutique hotel. Originally slated to open in October 2008, the Hotel Monroe project is temporarily on hold.
The Professional Building 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 1993.ref name="nris">
External links
- http://www.hotelmonroe.com (dead link)
- http://www.gracecommunities.com (dead link)
- http://www.coppersquare.com (dead link)