Metro Tower (Lubbock)

Metro Tower
Metro Tower survived a direct hit from a tornado[1]
Former names	Great Plains Life Building
Alternative names	NTS Tower NTS Communications Building
Record height
Tallest in Lubbock since 1955^[I]
Preceded by	Bank of America Tower
General information
Status	Complete
Type	Commercial offices
Location	1220 Broadway Street Lubbock, Texas
Coordinates	33°35′05″N 101°50′56″W / 33.584794°N 101.848836°WCoordinates: 33°35′05″N 101°50′56″W / 33.584794°N 101.848836°W
Construction started	1954[2]
Completed	1955[2]
Owner	NTS Communications[1]
Height
Roof	274 ft (84 m)[2]
Technical details
Floor count	20[2]
Floor area	111,000 sq ft (10,310 m^2)[1]
Lifts/elevators	4 (originally installed by Westinghouse)[2]

The Metro Tower, also known as the NTS Tower, is an office skyscraper located in Lubbock, Texas. Completed in 1955, it is the tallest building in Lubbock at 274 feet (84 meters).^[2] The 20-story skyscraper was originally known as the Great Plains Life Building after an insurance company that served as its first occupant. It suffered heavy damage in the 1970 Lubbock tornado, and sat vacant and derelict for several years amid talk of possible demolition. After extensive renovation, the building was reopened in 1975 and has been occupied ever since.^[1] It is the second tallest known building to have survived a direct hit by an F5 tornado. The tallest is the ALICO building in Waco, TX which is two stories taller also survived a direct hit from a F5 tornado in 1953.^[3]

References

1. Hensley, Doug (January 4, 2009). "Metro Tower skyscraper survives tornado, neglect". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Retrieved 2011-12-17.
2. "Metro Tower". Emporis. Retrieved 2011-12-17.
3. Lavallee, Michael (November 16, 2010). "Lubbock Tornado still bringing questions". Texas Tech University Journalism Department. Retrieved 2015-05-05.

External links

• Metro Tower Emporis Page