Summary
The Dowell Center is a 20-story skyscraper in downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Construction on the original 18-story tower began in 1926, and was completed in 1927. The tower's footprint was doubled and two stories added in 1964 by then owner Kerr-McGee Corporation. The Dowell Center comprises more than 205,000 ft2 (19,045 m2) and is located adjacent to Kerr Park.
| Dowell Center | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Status | Completed |
| Type | Office |
| Location | 134 Robert S. Kerr Avenue, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States |
| Coordinates | 35°28′17″N 97°31′50″W / 35.47139°N 97.53056°W |
| Opening | 1927 |
| Height | |
| Roof | 243 ft (74 m) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 20 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Layton & Forsyth[1] |
| Main contractor | J. W. Mann |
| References | |
| [2] | |
History edit
Originally planned as a ten-story structure during Oklahoma City's early century building boom[3] by Oklahoma City general contractor J. W. Mann. Designed as the first building to appeal to Oklahoma City's oil fraternity the building the 18-story Petroleum Building broke ground in 1926 and was completed in 1927.[4] At the time it was the tallest building in Oklahoma City.[4] Financial difficulties developed and in 1934 ownership of the building changed through a $500,000 federal court foreclosure and was later sold to R. D. Cravens and Associates in 1946.[5] The Petroleum Building was sold again in 1952 to Kerr-McGee Oil Co.[4] who would rename it the Republic Building in 1953 after its tenant Republic Supply Co[6] and use it as additional space for the oil company and other Kerr-McGee interests.[4] In 1962 Kerr-McGee began a significant expansion of the newly christened Kermac Building that would see the structure double its east/west foot print and add 2 stories.[7] The expansion reportedly cost $4 million and took 2 years to complete.[8]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Nichols, Max (2009-06-28). "Downtown History Preserved In Photos". The Oklahoman. Oklahoma City. Retrieved 2009-06-28.
- ^ "Dowell Center, Oklahoma City | 122543". Emporis. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved 2022-05-03.
- ^ "Building Boom Still Growing". The Oklahoman. 21 February 1925. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
- ^ a b c d Young, Jim (26 November 1952). "Building Brings $1 Million Plus". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
- ^ "R. D. Cravens, Associates Buy 18-Story Petroleum Building". The Oklahoman. 28 March 1946. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
- ^ "18-Story Building Has New Name". The Oklahoman. 17 April 1953. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
- ^ "Kerr-McGee Gives Contract For New 20 Story Building". The Oklahoman. 5 January 1962. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
- ^ "Kerr-McGee Keeping Up With Rapid Growth". The Oklahoman. 19 April 1964. Retrieved 7 April 2016.