Meridian Bank Tower (Phoenix)

The Meridian Bank Tower (originally known as the Guaranty Bank Building) is a high-rise building in Phoenix, Arizona. It is an office building designed in international style and constructed between 1959 and 1960 for developer David H. Murdock. Upon completion, it became the city's tallest building, taking that 31 year distinction away from the Westward Ho which opened in 1929.[6] The Phoenix Corporate Center, a 26-story office building, was completed just a few years later in 1965 claiming the title as the city's tallest building.[7] There is a 20 feet (6.1 m) by 20 feet (6.1 m) sign on the north and south sides with a Meridian Bank logo.[8] The exterior was remodeled in the late 1980s which substantially changed the building's appearance.

Meridian Bank Tower
General information
TypeOffice
LocationPhoenix, Arizona
Coordinates33.4891°N 112.0739°W / 33.4891; -112.0739
Construction startedFebruary 13, 1959[1]
OpeningMarch 4, 1960[2]
OwnerYounan Properties
Height
Roof252 ft (77 m)
Top floor20
Technical details
Floor count20
Floor area287,269 sq ft (26,105 m2)[3]
Lifts/elevators5[4]
Design and construction
Architect(s)Charles G. Polacek[5]
DeveloperDavid H. Murdock
Structural engineerW. T. Hamlyn[5]
Main contractorHenry C. Beck Company[5]

History

Original plans called for an 11-story office building called the 3550 Building. Although the property was only zoned for a 4-story structure city planners approved the plans. Murdock later decided to build higher and he proposed an 18-story tower that would be the city's tallest. Plans were finalized and approved during January 1959, and groundbreaking ceremonies were held on February 13, 1959. The actual excavation began February 16, 1959. A 3,000 pounds (1,400 kg), 10 feet (3.0 m) tall, 5 feet (1.5 m) wide, 4 feet (1.2 m) thick cake replicating the building's design was presented at the groundbreaking ceremony and Murdock used a silver-plated shovel to cut the first piece of cake.[9]

The building was topped out in December 1959. A 60-foot Christmas tree was hoisted onto the roof and decorated with lights which were turned on nightly during the holiday season.[10] The building originally had a light blue appearance when viewed from a distance. The international style curtain wall had translucent blue glass between vertical panels of light blue glass with white backing and white trimming. The glass facade on the north and south sides were divided into five sections by six vertical columns of precast concrete cladding that covered steel framework; of those, the two corner columns were slightly wider. The east and west sides were divided by five vertical concrete columns that extruded from the building dividing the face into four equal recessed sections. The outer sections had a windowless Mo-Sai stone curtain wall and the two middle sections had a glass curtain matching the north and south sides.[11]

Remodeling

In 1988 the building's exterior was remodeled and the light blue glass with white backing used as vertical dividers between floors was swapped for a tan non-glossy material. The Mo-Sai covering the vertical columns on the east and west side was replaced with a reddish-brown stone and a large terracotta colored pitched roof was added on top of the building for aesthetics. The building now has a tan/brown appearance.

The January 4, 1960, edition of Newsweek Magazine featured a front-page photograph of the building during construction for an article about Phoenix titled, Rising Phoenix: 'Miracle' in Arizona.[12]

References
  1. "Cake Breaking Ceremony" The Arizona Republican [Phoenix, Arizona] February 20, 1959 - Page Seven
  2. "Opening Of Guaranty Bank Is Valley Growth Milestone" The Arizona Republican [Phoenix, Arizona] March 4, 1960 - Page 21
  3. Cassidy Turley Arizona | Valley Bank Tower | Property Brochure
  4. "Two Basements Planned For Tall Offices" The Arizona Republican [Phoenix, Arizona] February 22, 1959 - (Section 5) Page 25
  5. "Architect Offers Vision, Imagination" The Arizona Republican [Phoenix, Arizona] March 4, 1960 - Advertisement Page 24
  6. "Phoenix Skyscraper New High In Murdock Career" The Arizona Republican [Phoenix, Arizona] March 4, 1959 - Page 20
  7. "Mayers New Phoenix Building" Tucson Daily Citizen [Tucson, Arizona] January 1, 1965 - Page 24
  8. "Bold Signs Visible For Miles" The Arizona Republican [Phoenix, Arizona] March 4, 1960 - Advertisements Page 23
  9. "Super Cake" The Arizona Republican [Phoenix, Arizona] February 22, 1959 - (Section 5) Page 25
  10. "Topping out" The Arizona Republican [Phoenix, Arizona] December 23, 1959 - Page 14
  11. "Building's Stonework Impresses" The Arizona Republican [Phoenix, Arizona] March 4, 1960 - Page 21
  12. Newsweek Magazine - January 4, 1960 - Frontpage
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