Thompson Building

Thompson Building is a Beaux Arts high-rise in downtown Tulsa featuring brick walls with ornamental details distributed across 15 floors. The facade combines solid brick construction with decorative elements typical of early twentieth-century commercial architecture.

The structure started in 1923 as a ten-story commercial building and gained five more floors in 1929 to house the Tidewater Oil and Gas company. This expansion during the oil boom shows how rapidly the city was growing during that period.

The structure sits within the Oil Capital Historic District, showing how the city's early commercial buildings reflected the wealth of the oil industry. Its ornamental details and materials tell the story of that prosperous era in Tulsa's downtown.

The building stands in downtown Tulsa on Fifth Street and continues to serve as office space while maintaining its historical architectural details. Visitors can admire the facade and exterior features from the street, making it easy to appreciate while walking through the district.

A copper-tiled steeple was added during the 1929 expansion, making it the second-tallest Beaux Arts structure in Tulsa. This striking tower with its gleaming copper roof is visible from a distance and marks the building's profile against the skyline.

Location: Oklahoma

Inception: 1923

Official opening: 1923

Floors above the ground: 15

GPS coordinates: 36.15139,-95.98889

Latest update: December 14, 2025 16:47