{{Use American English|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox building | name = Salazar Center | status = Completed | image = [[File:SalazarCenterofficebuilding-Dallas.jpg|220px]] | caption = The Salazar Center building in 2018 | location = 2201 Main Street<br/>[[Dallas, Texas|Dallas]], [[Texas]] ([[United States|USA]]) | coordinates = {{Coord|32.782656|-96.790795|format=dms|display=inline,title|region:US_type:landmark}} | construction_start_date = | completion_date = | destruction_date = | architect = | owner = | cost = | floor_area = {{convert|156,344|sqft|abbr=on}} | top_floor = | floor_count = 13 | references = | building_type = Office | antenna_spire = | roof = | elevator_count = 5 | structural_engineer = | main_contractor = | est_completion = | opening_date = June 1960 | demolished_date = | developer = Glenn Justice | operator = }}
'''Salazar Center''' is a mid-rise Class B [[skyscraper]] located on the eastern edge of the [[Main Street District, Dallas, Texas|Main Street District]] of [[downtown Dallas|downtown]] [[Dallas, Texas|Dallas]], [[Texas]] ([[United States|USA]]).
==History== The 12 story office building, bounded by Main Street, Elm Street, and Cesar Chavez Boulevard, was announced in 1958 as the new home for [[Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association|Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas]]. During construction in 1958 a stack of steel beams tumbled sixty feet to the basement level, killing one worker and injuring two others.<ref>"Steel Beams Fall at Project, Killing 1 Workman, Injuring 2." ''The Dallas Morning News''. November 6, 1958.</ref> Despite the setback, the building opened for business in June 1960 and featured a curtain wall and masonry exterior and attached 7 story parking garage.<ref>"Dedication Set By Blue Cross." ''The Dallas Morning News''. June 8, 1960.</ref> Blue Cross Blue Shield's 450 employees occupied the upper levels of the building, while lower levels were leased to other companies. The twelfth floor contained an employee cafeteria-auditorium.<ref>"Firm to Construct 12-Story Building." ''The Dallas Morning News''. April 20, 1958.</ref>
The building's location gave it prominence on the eastern edge of the downtown business district as it was mostly surrounded by low-rise early commercial structures. The roof of the building contained a large {{convert|113|ft|m|adj=on}} by 8½ foot electronic message sign; during the 93 second message cycle 10 different advertising and community messages could be flashed (with an 8-second pause between messages). Due to the 1973 City of Dallas sign ordinance banning rooftop signs, the message sign went dark in 1973.<ref>"Blue Cross Sign Closed By City Sign Ordinance." ''The Dallas Morning News''. July 5, 1973.</ref> The company applied for historic designation of the separate rotating Blue Cross sign, but after denial this sign was also removed.<ref>"Landmark Sign Question Stirs Plan Commission." ''The Dallas Morning News''. April 22, 1977.</ref>
In 1982 the building was renovated after the departure of Blue Cross Blue Shield to new offices in [[Richardson, Texas|Richardson]]. The building's exterior was removed and refitted with bronze, silver and gray glass in a modern design.<ref>Dillon, David. "RESKINNING THE SKYLINE - Wary of being outdone, older Dallas buildings get redone." ''The Dallas Morning News'', 5 December 1985, HOME FINAL, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT: 1f. NewsBank. Web. 5 April 2010.</ref>
==Images== Photos of the original 1960 interior by photographer John Rogers. *[https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1615192/ [Hallway with stairs in Blue Cross]] hosted by [//texashistory.unt.edu/ The Portal to Texas History] *[https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1615221/ [Blue Cross lobby]] hosted by [//texashistory.unt.edu/ The Portal to Texas History] *[https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1615170/ [Blue Cross lobby with lighting]] hosted by [//texashistory.unt.edu/ The Portal to Texas History] *[https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1615203/ [Blue Cross office with view of Downtown Dallas during the day]] hosted by [//texashistory.unt.edu/ The Portal to Texas History]
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.salazarcenter.com/ Official website] *{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110605062334/http://www.emporis.com/application/?nav=building&lng=3&id=100northcentralexpressway-dallas-tx-usa Emporis]}} *[http://www.loopnet.com/Listing/15009647/100-N-Central-Expressway-Dallas-TX/ Property Listing] *[http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2538/3753626122_93e2972676_o.jpg Historic Photo of Building]
{{Dallas skyscrapers}} {{Downtown Dallas}}
[[Category:Office buildings completed in 1960]] [[Category:Skyscraper office buildings in Dallas]]