Tower Life Building, San Antonio

The Tower Life Building, a striking neo-Gothic skyscraper in Downtown San Antonio, is a prominent historical landmark with a storied past. Completed in 1929, this 31-story octagonal structure rises to a height of 404 feet (123 meters). For decades, it dominated the San Antonio skyline as the tallest building and structure until surpassed by the Tower of the Americas in 1968 and later by the Marriott Rivercenter in 1988. As of 2023, it remains the 4th tallest building in San Antonio and holds the distinction of being the tallest eight-sided structure in the United States.

Designed by the renowned local architectural firm Ayres & Ayres, the building showcases a façade of brick and terra-cotta, adorned with intricate Gothic Revival details, including grotesques often mistaken for gargoyles. The building's iconic green Ludowici-tile roof adds to its unmistakable silhouette. The structure combines reinforced concrete on its lower floors and a steel frame on the upper levels, demonstrating the architectural innovations of its time.

Over the years, the Tower Life Building has seen notable transformations. A television transmission antenna, added in 1953, was removed in 2010, restoring its original copper top house crowned by a 114-foot (35-meter) flagpole. Recognized for its architectural and historical significance, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.

Initially known as the Smith-Young Tower and later renamed the Pan-American Tower and Transit Tower, the building underwent a significant ownership change in May 2022. After 78 years under the H. B. Zachry Family, it was acquired by a group of local developers, including Ed Cross, Jon Wiegand, and McCombs Enterprises. Their ambitious plans include transforming the Tower Life Building into a residential space with 244 rental units, projected for completion by 2026. This marks a new chapter for this architectural gem, ensuring its continued presence as a vibrant part of San Antonio's urban fabric.