O. T. Bassett Tower, Art Deco skyscraper in Downtown El Paso, United States
The O. T. Bassett Tower is a 15-story Art Deco skyscraper at 303 Texas Avenue in downtown El Paso, rising 217 feet (66 m). Designed by Trost & Trost and completed in 1930, it is faced with tan brick veneer and trimmed with stone and terra cotta ornament, with setbacks at the tenth and thirteenth floors.
The tower was completed in 1930 by the firm Trost & Trost and briefly held the title of the tallest building in El Paso. It was surpassed that same year by the Hilton Hotel, showing how fast the city's skyline was changing at the time.
The sculpted face above the main entrance is believed to be that of architect Henry Trost himself, a personal signature on the building. The tower's stone and terra cotta ornament, including this relief, marks it as Art Deco rather than the plainer Moderne style. The building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
The building is easy to reach on foot from Texas Avenue in downtown El Paso, where other points of interest are close by. It is currently being converted into a hotel, so access may be limited and it is worth checking the situation before visiting.
The sculpted face above the main entrance is believed to be a portrait of Henry Trost himself, a detail many passers-by miss. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 92,641 contributors worldwide.
