Norwood Tower, Gothic Revival skyscraper in Downtown Austin, United States
Description
Norwood Tower is a 16-story Gothic Revival skyscraper in downtown Austin with a facade decorated with finials, gargoyles, and intricate tracery made from cast concrete panels that mimic limestone. The attached Motoramp Garage was a pioneering facility for self-parking, featuring ramps that serviced each level without requiring elevator transport for vehicles.
History
The building was completed in 1929 and remained the tallest structure in downtown Austin for several decades. It was also the first office building in the region to feature fully air-conditioned workspace.
Culture
The building served an important function for the African American community during segregation, as the maintenance staff provided access to the only public restroom available to Black visitors in downtown during that era.
Practical
The building is accessible from street level, and it is helpful to explore the area around the Civic Center to appreciate the architecture fully. The best way to view the tower is by walking the nearby streets to observe its facade and roofline details from different angles.
Did you know?
The building has a distinctive architectural feature where the lower 13 floors are squared in plan while the upper floors shift into a cruciform shape. The upper levels include rooftop gardens positioned at each corner, giving the crown of the structure a recognizable form when viewed from above.
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