James E. Rudder State Office Building

The James E. Rudder State Office Building is a five-story government office tower in downtown Austin with interior spaces marked by terrazzo and marble flooring. The rooms feature high ceilings around 18 feet that give the building a sense of spaciousness.

The structure was built in 1918 by architect Atlee B. Ayres and initially housed several state departments including the General Land Office and Department of Agriculture. It gained recognition on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.

The building combines Classical Revival and Art Deco styles that reflect how Texas designed its government offices in the early 1900s. These architectural choices shaped the look of the civic center that visitors see today.

The building sits at the corner of Brazos Street and East 11th Street in the civic center and is straightforward to locate. It houses the Texas Secretary of State office today and is typically open to the public during business hours.

The building originally stood next to the Dewitt C. Greer State Highway Building, and both gained historic recognition together. This pairing shows how major state agencies were organized side by side in the civic center.

Location: Austin

Architects: Atlee Ayres

Part of: 1918 State Office Building and 1933 State Highway Building

GPS coordinates: 30.27194,-97.73944

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:24