Dowell Center

The Dowell Center is a high-rise office building in downtown Oklahoma City that rises 20 stories above the surrounding streetscape. Italian marble, Vermont marble, and terra cotta trim create a refined appearance across the building's facade and exterior details.

The structure was originally built in 1927 as the Petroleum Building with 18 floors and became an early landmark on the city's skyline. In 1964 the Kerr-McGee Corporation added two more stories, reshaping the building's overall footprint.

The building represents an era when Oklahoma City was growing rapidly due to oil wealth, and its design reflects the ambitions of that prosperous time. The marble and terra cotta details on the exterior show the care taken in building such structures during that period.

The building sits near Kerr Park in the center of downtown, making it easy to locate and visit. The location connects well to surrounding streets and public spaces, giving visitors straightforward access to the area.

The building featured early high-speed elevators that operated at an unusually fast pace for their time. This technical advance made vertical circulation through the structure notably efficient compared to other buildings of that era.

Location: Oklahoma

Architects: Layton & Forsyth

Official opening: 1927

Floors above the ground: 20

GPS coordinates: 35.47139,-97.53056

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:23