# Republic Center

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Commercial building in Dallas, Texas

United States historic place

Republic National Bank U.S. National Register of Historic Places U.S. Historic district – Contributing property Dallas Landmark Republic Tower I in 2007 Republic National Bank Show map of Texas Republic National Bank Show map of the United States Location 300 N. Ervay St./325 N. St. Paul St., Dallas, Texas Coordinates 32°47′56″N 96°47′51″W / 32.79889°N 96.79750°W / 32.79889; -96.79750 Area 1.4 acres (0.57 ha) Built 1954 (1954) Architect Harrison and Abramovitz, et al. Architectural style Modern architecture Height = 602 ft (183 m) Website republiccenter.com/home.html Part of Dallas Downtown Historic District (ID04000894[1]) NRHP reference No. 05000243[1] DLMK No. H/117 (Tower I) Significant dates Added to NRHP March 31, 2005 Designated CP August 11, 2006 Designated DLMK April 14, 2004[2]

**Republic Center** is a mixed-use complex at 300 N. Ervay Street and 325 N. St. Paul Street in the [City Center District](/source/City_Center_District) of [downtown](/source/Downtown_Dallas) [Dallas](/source/Dallas%2C_Texas), [Texas](/source/Texas) ([USA](/source/United_States)), adjacent to [Thanks-giving Square](/source/Thanks-giving_Square). The complex is located diagonally across the street from [DART](/source/Dallas_Area_Rapid_Transit)'s [St. Paul Station](/source/St._Paul_(DART_station)), which serves its [Blue](/source/Blue_Line_(DART)), [Red](/source/Red_Line_(DART)), [Orange](/source/Orange_Line_(DART)), and [Green](/source/Green_Line_(DART)) [light rail](/source/Light_rail) lines. It also contains part of the [Dallas Pedestrian Network](/source/Dallas_Pedestrian_Network), with shops and restaurants in the lower levels of the building and is connected to the [Bullington Truck Terminal](/source/Thanks-Giving_Square#Bullington_Truck_Terminal).

## History

The **Republic National Bank Building** (later known as **Republic Center Tower I** and now **Gables Republic Tower**) was constructed as a 36-story [skyscraper](/source/Skyscraper) for the headquarters of Republic National Bank, which had previously been located at the [Davis Building](/source/Davis_Building_(Dallas%2C_Texas)). Seeking to build higher than their rival's [Mercantile National Bank Building](/source/Mercantile_National_Bank_Building), the 602 ft (183 m) tall[3] Republic National Bank Building became the tallest building in [Dallas](/source/Dallas) and west of the [Mississippi River](/source/Mississippi_River) at its completion in 1954. The skyscraper included an elaborate banking pavilion that stretched to Pacific Avenue. It remained the tallest building on the Dallas skyline until it was surpassed by the [First National Bank Tower](/source/First_National_Bank_Tower%2C_Dallas) in 1965.

As the bank expanded, in 1964 it sought to reclaim the tallest-in-Dallas title. The bank hired architects Harrell & Hamilton to achieve this by designing a taller companion to adjacent Republic Center I. However, height limit was restricted by the [FAA](/source/FAA). Upon completion in 1964, **Republic Center Tower II** was only tallest-in-Dallas on some lists. The 150-foot (46 m) spire on the original 1954 Republic Center gave that structure a 4-foot (1.2 m) edge in terms of spire height. Less than a year later, the building was surpassed by [Elm Place](/source/The_Drever) as the tallest building in Dallas.[4]

**Republic Center Tower III**, an 8-story building with a [Dallas Pedestrian Network](/source/Dallas_Pedestrian_Network) retail concourse below, was added in 1980. It replaced the historic 20-story Medical Arts Building which was razed in 1978. With the completion of the third phase, the Republic Center consisted of an entire city block bounded by Ervay, Bryan, St. Paul and Pacific Streets.[5]

In 1985 RepublicBank Corp., now one of the largest banks in the Southwest, announced plans to construct a 60-story, 1,400,000-square-foot (130,000 m2) building across the street on land now designated for [Pacific Plaza Park](/source/Pacific_Plaza_Park).[6] Plans were terminated in 1987 when rival InterFirst Corp. acquired the company, and Republic Center lost most of its tenants during the ensuing [savings and loan crisis](/source/Savings_and_loan_crisis) of the 1980s.[7]

The building complex was listed on the [National Register of Historic Places](/source/National_Register_of_Historic_Places) in 2005.[1]

### Renovation

In 1997 new owners acquired the block and the complex was renovated.[5] Republic Center Tower I was renovated in 2005 to house 229 residential units. The first units opened in January 2007 and the building's name changed to Gables Republic Tower. Republic Center Towers II & III remain active office buildings, while the old banking lobbies and ground floors are leased as office and retail space.

## Architecture and design

The complex is a prime example of mid century [modern](/source/Modern_architecture) [skyscraper](/source/Skyscraper) design. The buildings are clad in interlocking [aluminum](/source/Aluminum) plates which incorporate Republic National Bank's four-pointed star symbol. The building was designed by architects [Harrison & Abramovitz](/source/Harrison_%26_Abramovitz), who in 1953 had just completed the thirty story [Alcoa Building](/source/Regional_Enterprise_Tower) in [Pittsburgh](/source/Pittsburgh). The design of Republic Center integrated the use of aluminum with a structural steel frame resulting in a lighter and energy efficient building.[5]

The banking lobby featured new techniques in engineering to create a column-free lobby where upper floors had to be hung from above. The lobby was finished with exquisite marble, inlaid wood and 3,000 square feet (280 m2) of pure gold leaf. Also incorporated within the building were innovations such as underground drive-through banking and valet parking. The elevators inside the complex speed at a rate of 1,400 feet (430 m) a minute, making them among the fastest in the nation.[8]

At the time of completion, the spire atop Gables Republic Tower (an abstraction of the four-pointed star and referred to as the "rocket") contained a rotating beacon of light. This was later turned off due to taller surrounding buildings, but today the spire is floodlit from below.

The following words by [Karl Hoblitzelle](/source/Karl_Hoblitzelle), chairman of the board for Republic National Bank from 1945 to 1965, are set in bronze at the Ervay Street entrance:[5]

"This building is dedicated to the principle that no institution can long endure unless it serves faithfully and unselfishly its country, its state and community."

### Rank in the Dallas skyline

**Gables Republic Tower** is 36-stories and has a roof height of 452 feet (138 m), but when its 150-foot (46 m) spire is included, the building reaches a height of 602 feet (183 m). Currently, it is the 11th-tallest building in the city when the spire is included. Without the spire, it is the 21st-tallest.

**Republic Center Tower II** is 50-stories and has a roof height of 598 feet (182 m), making it the 11th-tallest building in Dallas by roof-height (the building is 12th-tallest with regards to adjacent Gables Republic Tower's spire).

## Gallery

		- South view on St. Paul Street

		- Southeast View

		- Republic Center II and Elm Place both under construction

## See also

- [National Register of Historic Places portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:National_Register_of_Historic_Places)
- [Texas portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Texas)

- [List of tallest buildings in Dallas](/source/List_of_tallest_buildings_in_Dallas)

- [National Register of Historic Places listings in Dallas County, Texas](/source/National_Register_of_Historic_Places_listings_in_Dallas_County%2C_Texas)

- [List of Dallas Landmarks](/source/List_of_Dallas_Landmarks)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-nris_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-nris_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-nris_1-2) ["National Register Information System"](https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP). *[National Register of Historic Places](/source/National_Register_of_Historic_Places)*. [National Park Service](/source/National_Park_Service). November 2, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-DalOrd_2-0)** Madeleine B. Johnson (April 14, 2004). ["Ordinance No. 25546"](http://dallascityhall.com/departments/sustainabledevelopment/historicpreservation/HP%20Documents/Landmark%20Structures/Republic%20Bank%20Tower%20Ord%2025546.pdf) (PDF). City of Dallas. Retrieved August 8, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Republic Center"](https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/wd/9101). *[CVU Skyscraper Center](/source/Council_on_Vertical_Urbanism)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [Emporis Buildings](http://www.emporis.info) - [Elm Place](https://web.archive.org/web/20061214085822/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=elmplace-dallas-tx-usa). Retrieved on 16 August 2007.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-dallassky.com_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-dallassky.com_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-dallassky.com_5-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-dallassky.com_5-3) [http://www.dallassky.com/bldg11.htm](http://www.dallassky.com/bldg11.htm) Dallas Skyscrapers, Republic Center

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Steve Brown. (1985, October 16). REPUBLICBANK TO CONSTRUCT 60-STORY TOWER - $250 million skyscraper set for completion in 1989. The Dallas Morning News HOME FINAL ed., 1a. Retrieved December 15, 2009 from NewsBank on-line database (America's Newspapers)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Steve Brown, Robert Dodge. (1987, December 9). FIRST REPUBLIC PLANS TOWER SALE. The Dallas Morning News HOME FINAL ed., 1d. Retrieved December 15, 2009 from NewsBank on-line database (America's Newspapers)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [http://republiccenter.com/culture_history.html](http://republiccenter.com/culture_history.html) Republic Center History

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Republic Center](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Republic_Center_(Dallas)).

- [Republic Center](http://republiccenter.com/home.html)

- [Gables Republic Center](http://www.gables.com/PropertyTour/PropertyHome.cfm?propid=80869) from [Gables Residential](http://www.gables.com/index.cfm)

- [Gables Republic Tower](http://www.dallasarchitecture.info/republ-1.htm) from [DallasArchitecture.info](http://www.dallasarchitecture.info/)

- [Original rendering of Republic Bank Building](https://www.flickr.com/photos/fatguyinalittlecoat/3080290189/in/photostream/)

- [Omniplan Architects](http://www.omniplan.com/work/legacy/republic-tower.html)

v t e Downtown Dallas Only items within the "Loop" are listed. Areas Arts District City Center District Convention Center District Farmers Market District Harwood Historic District Government District Main Street District Reunion District West End Historic District Dallas Downtown Historic District Education Primary and secondary schools Dallas ISD Washington PVA Dallas HS (closed) Lassiter ECHS Pegasus of Liberal Arts & Sciences Other education Dallas County Community College District (El Centro College) Dallas Public Library J. Erik Jonsson Central Library Universities Center at Dallas University of North Texas at Dallas College of Law Skyscrapers and complexes 1600 Pacific Tower (LTV Tower) (Hilton Garden Inn) 1700 Pacific 2100 Ross Avenue Adolphus Hotel Bank of America Plaza Bryan Tower Chase Tower Comerica Bank Tower Corrigan Tower Dallas Hilton (Hotel Indigo) Davis Building Energy Plaza First National Bank Tower Fountain Place Hyatt Regency Dallas The Joule Hotel Kirby Building KPMG Centre Magnolia Hotel Mercantile Commerce Building (AC Hotel; Residence Inn) Mercantile Continental Building Mercantile National Bank Building Museum Tower Omni Dallas Hotel One Arts Plaza One Dallas Center One Main Place (Westin Hotel) Pacific Place Plaza of the Americas Renaissance Tower Republic Center Reunion Tower Ross Tower Salazar Center Santa Fe Terminal Complex Sheraton Dallas Hotel Statler Hotel & Residences Thanksgiving Tower Tower Petroleum Building (Cambria Hotel Dallas) Trammell Crow Center Crow Museum of Asian Art Whitacre Tower Parks Civic Garden Park Dealey Plaza Ferris Plaza Main Street Garden Park Pegasus Plaza Elaine D. and Charles A. Sammons Park Thanks-Giving Square Klyde Warren Park Religious buildings Cathedral Santuario de Guadalupe Fellowship Church First Baptist Church First Presbyterian Church of Dallas First United Methodist Church St. Jude Chapel St. Paul United Methodist Church Other landmarks AT&T Performing Arts Center Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House Annette Strauss Square Butler Brothers Building Citywalk@Akard Earle Cabell Federal Building and Courthouse Dallas City Hall Dallas County Courthouse (Old Red) Dawson State Jail (closed) Dallas Farmers Market Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum Dallas Municipal Building Dallas Museum of Art Dallas Pedestrian Network Dallas Scottish Rite Temple Dallas World Aquarium Dal-Tex Building Dealey Plaza Fairmont Hotel Dallas Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center John Fitzgerald Kennedy Memorial Majestic Theatre Manor House Apartments Mayflower Building Moody Performance Hall Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center Nasher Sculpture Center Neiman Marcus Building Old Dallas Central Library (The Dallas Morning News) Pioneer Plaza Pioneer Park Cemetery Sanger Harris Building (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) Texas School Book Depository (Dallas County Administration Building) Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza Thanks-Giving Square Titche–Goettinger Building Wilson Building Transportation Dallas CBD Vertiport DART rail stations Akard Convention Center Pearl/Arts District St. Paul Union Station West End/West Transfer Center Streetcar services M-Line Trolley Dallas Streetcar Crime JFK assassination 2016 shooting of police officers 2019 courthouse shooting First Baptist Academy of Dallas was previously in Downtown Dallas

v t e Timeline of the tallest buildings west of the Mississippi River Central Tower (91 m) (1898) Smith Tower (141 m) (1914) Kansas City Power and Light Building (145.1 m) (1931) Mercantile National Bank Building (159 m) (1942) Sheraton Dallas Hotel (183 m) (1959) ExxonMobil Building (185 m) (1963) Republic Center Tower II (183 m) (1964) First National Bank Tower (191 m) (1965) 555 California Street (237 m) (1969) Transamerica Pyramid (260 m) (1972) Aon Center (262 m) (1973) JPMorgan Chase Tower (305 m) (1982) US Bank Tower (310 m) (1990) Wilshire Grand Center (335 m) (2016)

v t e Timeline of the tallest buildings in Texas Franklin Lofts (35 m) (1904) Capitol Lofts (41 m) (1908) Praetorian Building (58 m) (1909) Adolphus Hotel (95 m) (1912) Magnolia Hotel (122 m) (1923) Niels Esperson Building (125 m) (1927) JPMorgan Chase Building (130 m) (1929) Mercantile National Bank Building (131 m) (1943) Republic Center Tower I (138 m) (1954) Southland Center (183 m) (1959) ExxonMobil Building (185 m) (1963) First National Bank Tower (191 m) (1965) Tower of the Americas (229 m) (1968) Renaissance Tower (270 m) (1974) JPMorgan Chase Tower (305 m) (1982)

v t e Timeline of the tallest buildings in Dallas Wilson Building (34 m) (1904) Praetorian Building (58 m) (1909) Adolphus Hotel (95 m) (1912) Magnolia Hotel (131 m) (1923) Mercantile National Bank Building (131 m) (1943) Republic Center Tower I (138 m) (1954) Sheraton Dallas Hotel (158 m) (1959) Republic Center Tower II (183 m) (1964) First National Bank Tower (191 m) (1965) Renaissance Tower (216 m) (1974) Bank of America Plaza (281 m) (1985)

v t e Skyscrapers in Dallas Current Bank of America Plaza Renaissance Tower Comerica Bank Tower Chase Tower Fountain Place Trammell Crow Center 1700 Pacific Avenue Thanksgiving Tower Energy Plaza First National Bank Tower Gables Republic Tower Republic Center Tower II Whitacre Tower Ross Tower Tower at Cityplace Reunion Tower Sheraton Dallas Hotel Mercantile National Bank Building Bryan Tower Magnolia Hotel Harwood Center 717 Harwood 2100 Ross Avenue Renaissance Dallas Hotel One Dallas Center One Main Place 1600 Pacific Tower Omni Dallas Hotel The Mondrian Adolphus Hotel Davis Building Kirby Building Tower Petroleum Building Corrigan Tower Plaza of the Americas Pacific Place The Crescent See also List of tallest buildings in Dallas

v t e National Register of Historic Places in Texas Lists by county Anderson Andrews Angelina Aransas Archer Armstrong Atascosa Austin Bailey Bandera Bastrop Baylor Bee Bell Bexar Blanco Borden Bosque Bowie Brazoria Brazos Brewster Briscoe Brooks Brown Burleson Burnet Caldwell Calhoun Callahan Cameron Camp Carson Cass Castro Chambers Cherokee Childress Clay Cochran Coke Coleman Collin Collingsworth Colorado Comal Comanche Concho Cooke Coryell Cottle Crane Crockett Crosby Culberson Dallam Dallas Dawson Deaf Smith Delta Denton DeWitt Dickens Dimmit Donley Duval Eastland Ector Edwards El Paso Ellis Erath Falls Fannin Fayette Fisher Floyd Foard Fort Bend Franklin Freestone Frio Gaines Galveston Garza Gillespie Glasscock Goliad Gonzales Gray Grayson Gregg Grimes Guadalupe Hale Hall Hamilton Hansford Hardeman Hardin Harris Harrison Hartley Haskell Hays Hemphill Henderson Hidalgo Hill Hockley Hood Hopkins Houston Howard Hudspeth Hunt Hutchinson Irion Jack Jackson Jasper Jeff Davis Jefferson Jim Hogg Jim Wells Johnson Jones Karnes Kaufman Kendall Kenedy Kent Kerr Kimble King Kinney Kleberg Knox La Salle Lamar Lamb Lampasas Lavaca Lee Leon Liberty Limestone Lipscomb Live Oak Llano Loving Lubbock Lynn Madison Marion Martin Mason Matagorda Maverick McCulloch McLennan McMullen Medina Menard Midland Milam Mills Mitchell Montague Montgomery Moore Morris Motley Nacogdoches Navarro Newton Nolan Nueces Ochiltree Oldham Orange Palo Pinto Panola Parker Parmer Pecos Polk Potter Presidio Rains Randall Reagan Real Red River Reeves Refugio Roberts Robertson Rockwall Runnels Rusk Sabine San Augustine San Jacinto San Patricio San Saba Schleicher Scurry Shackelford Shelby Sherman Smith Somervell Starr Stephens Sterling Stonewall Sutton Swisher Tarrant Taylor Terrell Terry Throckmorton Titus Tom Green Travis Trinity Tyler Upshur Upton Uvalde Val Verde Van Zandt Victoria Walker Waller Ward Washington Webb Wharton Wheeler Wichita Wilbarger Willacy Williamson Wilson Winkler Wise Wood Yoakum Young Zapata Zavala National parks Big Bend National Park Guadalupe Mountains National Park Other lists Bridges National Historic Landmarks National Natural Landmarks Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks United States National Register of Historic Places listings Keeper of the Register History of the National Register of Historic Places Property types Historic district Contributing property

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Republic Center](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_Center) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_Center?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.