Plaza of the Americas (Dallas) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Plaza of the Americas |
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Plaza of the Americas
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| General information | |
| Location | 600-700 N. Pearl, Dallas, Texas, United States |
| Construction started | 1978 |
| Completed | 1980 |
| Cost | $100 million |
| Management | Equity Office Properties |
| Technical details | |
| Size | 2,000,000 square feet (190,000 m2) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Harwood K Smith |
| Developer | Wynne/Jackson Inc. |
| Main contractor | Henry C Beck Co |
Plaza of the Americas is a huge building complex located in the City Center District of downtown Dallas, Texas, USA. It's a busy spot with offices, a hotel, and lots of shops. This complex is right next to the Pearl Station for public transport. It also connects to the Dallas Pedestrian Network, which is a system of walkways.
The Plaza of the Americas has many cool features. These are all connected by a large indoor area called an atrium. This atrium has a skylight and rises 13 stories high!
Here's what you can find inside:
- Plaza of the Americas I-South Tower (a 25-story office building)
- Plaza of the Americas II-North Tower (another 25-story office building)
- Univision Center (a 26-story office building)
- A 416-room hotel, now called the Dallas Marriott City Center. It used to have other names like Plaza of the Americas Hotel and The Westin Dallas City Center.
- About 25,000 square feet (2,300 m2) of space for meetings.
- Two levels of shops surrounding an indoor park.
- A parking garage with space for 1,000 cars.
- It was recognized for being energy efficient in 2010 with the Energy Star award.
History of Plaza of the Americas
The Plaza of the Americas was announced in 1977. It cost $100 million to build. This project was one of the first in Dallas to combine different uses, like offices, a hotel, and shops, all built around an enclosed atrium.
Construction started in 1978 on a 5.5-acre (2.2 ha) piece of land. The complex was finished in 1980. The design featured dark gray glass on the two main office towers. The hotel and parking garage were built using concrete.
Growing the Complex
In 1983, another office building was added. This was the 26-story Univision Center. It was built across Crockett Street but connected to the main complex. An extra parking garage was also built in 1984.
There were plans for a fourth building, Plaza of the Americas IV, which would have been 42 stories tall. However, this building was never constructed.
Connecting the City
The Plaza of the Americas became an important part of the Dallas Pedestrian Network. This happened when special walkways, called skybridges, were built. These skybridges connected the Plaza of the Americas to other large buildings nearby. These included Bryan Tower, the Sheraton Dallas Hotel, and Chase Tower.
The entire complex was sold and updated in 1990. Over the years, Plaza of the Americas has hosted many different events. These include art shows, big meetings, and even the Texas Open Squash Tournament.
