Southwestern Life Insurance Building

The Southwestern Life Insurance Building was a 16-story structure located at 1500 Main Street in downtown Dallas, rising 53 meters high. The building featured modern amenities including three elevators and quality finishes like mahogany woodwork in every office.

The structure started as a two-story building in 1910 and expanded to ten floors in 1918 when Southland Insurance Company acquired and modernized it. The building dominated downtown Dallas for over five decades until its demolition in 1972.

The building marked a turning point in Dallas's business identity, when insurance companies became major drivers of downtown development and shaped how the city saw itself economically. Its presence reinforced Dallas as a financial hub for the region.

The building occupied a central location that was convenient for business operations, with good accessibility through elevators and quality facilities. Its position on Main Street made it a recognizable landmark in downtown Dallas.

The building was notable for providing hot and cold running water in every office, an innovative amenity that set it apart from typical office buildings of its era. This attention to comfort and convenience made it a model for modern workplace design.

Location: Dallas

Inception: 1912

Architects: Lang & Witchell

Floors above the ground: 16

Height: 53 m

Address: 1500 Main Street, Dallas, Texas, United States

GPS coordinates: 32.78041,-96.80149

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:44