{{Short description|Skyscraper in Austin Texas}} {{Use American English|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox building | name = 600 Congress{{r|tpg}} | status = complete | former_names = One American Center | image = OneAmericanCenter-Nov2007.JPG | caption = (2007) | address = 600 Congress Avenue{{r|tpg|e}} | completion_date = 1984 | architect = Morris-Aubry | floor_count = 32 | floor_area = {{convert|505,764|sqft|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web|title=One American Center|url=http://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/one-american-center/10364|website=Skyscraper Center|publisher=CTBUH|access-date=2017-08-06}}</ref> | architectural_style = postmodernism | elevator_count = 17 }} '''600 Congress''' (formerly known as '''One American Center''') is a high-rise office building located at the northwest corner of West 6th Street and Congress Avenue in the Financial District of Downtown Austin, the state capital of Texas. Standing {{convert|400|ft|m|abbr=off|sp=us}} tall and containing 32 floors, it is currently the 12th tallest building in Austin, tied with the Four Seasons Residences. The construction of One American Center was completed in 1984 and was developed by Rust Properties. It was the tallest building in Austin until the finishing of the Frost Bank Tower in 2003. In 2017, One American Center was rebranded as 600 Congress.<ref>"{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110605084703/http://www.emporis.com/application/?nav=building&id=1americancenter-austin-tx-usa&lng=3/ Emporis Page]}}." Retrieved on April 9, 2010.</ref>
Annually, Make-A-Wish Central and South Texas has a fundraising event called "Over The Edge," in which the first 300 persons to raise $1,500 in donations get to rappel 32 stories down 600 Congress.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://365thingsaustin.com/2013/05/01/adventure-seekers-over-the-edge-2013/ |title=Adventure Seekers: Over The Edge 2013 |author=Owen, Kristy |work=365 Things Austin |date=May 1, 2013 |access-date=January 1, 2019 |archive-date=January 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190102050808/http://365thingsaustin.com/2013/05/01/adventure-seekers-over-the-edge-2013/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==History== Construction on the One American Center began on August 16, 1982.<ref name="High-Class">{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/355677651/?terms=one%2Bamerican%2Bcenter |title=High-class digs |author=Tyson, Kim |work=Austin American-Statesman |date=September 16, 1984 |access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref> The building replaced a former 2-story Art Deco-style Woolworth's Department Store, which had since housed a 5 and dime at the time of the building's demolition.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/363687752/?terms=one%2Bamerican%2Bcenter |title=Austin history breathes just around the corner |author=McCullar, Michael |work=Austin American-Statesman |date=October 21, 1985 |access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref> Street-front diagonal parking on Congress Avenue was removed to make way for an expanded granite sidewalk and landscaping, including two rows of Texas red oak trees.<ref name="High-Class"/> A matching 22-story hotel was originally planned on the northwest corner of the property adjoining the building, but was never built.<ref name="High-Class"/>
==Architecture== The postmodern building was designed by Houston-based Morris-Aubry Architects.<ref name="Vista">{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/363687752/?terms=one%2Bamerican%2Bcenter |title=From expansive vista to granite canyon, a street forever different |author=McCullar, Michael |work=Austin American-Statesman |date=October 21, 1985 |access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref> The building is designed with three stair-stepped tiers clad in pre-cast limestone trimmed with brown granite.<ref name="Vista"/> The 20,000 cubic feet of granite consists of Sunset Red granite from Granite Mountain, close to Marble Falls, Texas, and Charlie Brown granite from Oklahoma, which was cut and polished in Puebla, Mexico.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/363551235/?terms=one%2Bamerican%2Bcenter |title=Granite is a touchstone for new Austin buildings |author=Tyson, Kim |work=Austin American-Statesman |date=September 27, 1984 |access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref> The ground level facade of the building contains notches to give the appearance of individual storefronts.<ref name="High-Class"/>
==References== {{Reflist |refs=
<ref name=tpg>{{cite web |url= http://www.tpgre.com/properties/One_American_Center.htm |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131207062731/http://www.tpgre.com/properties/One_American_Center.htm |url-status= dead |archive-date= 2013-12-07 |title= One American Center |website= Thomas Properties Group, Inc |date= 2013 }}</ref>
<ref name=e>{{cite web |url= https://www.endeavor-re.com/properties/600-congress-office/ |title= 600 Congress - Office |website= Endeavor Real Estate Group |date= 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171020113902/https://www.endeavor-re.com/properties/600-congress-office/ |archive-date= 2017-10-20 |url-status= live }}</ref>
}}
==External links== {{commonscat|One American Center}} * {{URL|600congress.com}} {{Start box}} {{Succession box| before=Dobie Center| title=Tallest Building in Austin| years=1982—2004<br/><small>120m</small>| after=Frost Bank Tower}} {{End box}} {{Beacon Capital Partners}} {{Downtown Austin}} {{Coord|30.2686|-97.7432|display=title|type:landmark_region:US}}
Category:Skyscraper office buildings in Austin, Texas Category:1982 establishments in Texas Category:Office buildings completed in 1982 Category:Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design gold certified buildings Category:Postmodern architecture in Texas
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