Atlas Life Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Atlas Life Building
|
|
|
U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
|
Atlas Life Building, in 2008
|
|
 Location in Oklahoma
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 415 S. Boston Ave., Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA |
|---|---|
| NRHP reference No. | 09000358 |
| Added to NRHP | May 21, 2009 |
The Atlas Life Building is a historic twelve-story building in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma. It was built a long time ago, in 1922. This tall building was designed by a company called Rush, Endacott and Rush. You can find it at 415 S. Boston Avenue, right between two other famous buildings: the Philtower and Mid-Continent Tower.
The Atlas Life Building is very important. On May 19, 2009, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a special landmark in the U.S.. It used to be an office building, but in 2010, it was changed into a hotel.
Contents
What is the Atlas Life Building?
The Atlas Life Building is a tall, historic building in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It has twelve floors and was finished in 1922. It's known for its unique look and its place in the city's history.
The Atlas Life Insurance Company
The Atlas Life Insurance Company started in Tulsa in 1918. It grew very quickly! In just three years, the company needed its own big office building. So, they decided to build this tall skyscraper. The building officially opened on November 22, 1922, with a special party.
The company's symbol was a picture of Atlas. Atlas is a Titan from ancient Greek stories. He is shown carrying the world on his back. You can see a statue of Atlas on top of the building today! The Atlas Life Insurance Company stayed in this building until 1991 when it was sold.
What Does the Building Look Like?
One of the coolest things about the Atlas Life Building is its giant neon sign. This sign is four stories tall and sits right above the main entrance. It was put there in 1946 and is still there today, making the building a popular landmark in Tulsa.
The bottom floor of the building is very wide. It covers the whole property, which is about 100 feet by 140 feet. The second floor is shaped like a "T." The floors above that are smaller, about 50 feet by 140 feet.
The outside of the building is made of red brick. It also has fancy white marble decorations. These decorations are mostly on the third, eleventh, and twelfth floors. At the very top, there's a detailed cornice (a decorative ledge) with the crouching Atlas statue on it. The building is designed to look good even next to taller buildings.
The ground floor of the Atlas Life Building is home to a few businesses. These include the Tulsa Press Club, Baytide Petroleum, and The New Atlas Grill.
Who Owns the Building Now?
After the Atlas Life Insurance Company was sold in 1991, the building changed hands a few times. In 1997, the Pearson Group bought it. Later, in 2006, a company called Navajo Properties LLC bought the building.
In 2008, the building was sold again. The new owners decided to give the building a new purpose. They changed it from an office building into a Courtyard by Marriott hotel. The hotel opened in June 2010. This is an example of adaptive reuse, which means changing an old building to fit a new use.
See Also
- United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
