Arkansas Power and Light Building

The Arkansas Power and Light Building is an office structure in the International Style, featuring marble panels and glass curtain walls that sit atop a single-story brick base at its western end. The design combines horizontal lines with smooth surfaces, creating a clean geometric appearance throughout.

The building was completed in 1953 and was the first International Style structure in downtown Little Rock. Architect Fred Arnold and the firm Wittenberg, Delony & Davidson established a new era for local commercial design with this project.

The building reflects how post-war companies embraced functional design for their office towers, showing how modern American architecture firms thought and built in the 1950s. Its design language helped shift downtown perceptions of what corporate buildings should look like.

The building is located at the corner of Ninth Street and Louisiana Street in the downtown area, making it easy to find and view from the street. Since it continues to serve as utility company headquarters, the exterior is visible and accessible for viewing, though the interior is not open to the public.

A 2010 renovation replaced damaged marble panels with new sections bonded to aluminum honeycomb backing for better durability. This reinforcement was needed to preserve the original marble facade long-term.

Location: Little Rock

Inception: 1953

Architectural style: International Style

GPS coordinates: 34.74000,-92.27389

Latest update: December 14, 2025 16:43