Nestled along the banks of the Arkansas River, downtown Tulsa boasts a skyline that tells the story of the opulence and wealth of the oil barons of the 1920s. Their infatuation with Art Deco produced some of the finest examples anywhere of Zigzag skyscrapers, the Streamline style of the '30s and the Classical style of the Great Depression and the New Deal.

“ Downtown Tulsa boasts a skyline that tells the story of the opulence and wealth of the oil barons of the 1920s. ”

Tulsa's architecture doesn't stop there though. As you journey through its downtown streets, you'll encounter the clean lines of Modernist structures, the charm of Neoclassical facades, and adaptive reuse projects that breathe new life into the urban core.

The Mayo Hotel is a historic landmark celebrated for its blend of Sullivanesque and Art Deco architecture. Designed by architect George Winkler, the 19-story building features a base with grand two-story Doric columns, terracotta accents, and a crown adorned with stone etchings and a dentiled cornice. At its completion in 1925, it was the tallest building in Oklahoma, with 600 rooms offering modern amenities such as ceiling fans and Tulsa's first running ice water.

The hotel quickly became a social hub for Tulsa's elite, hosting champagne brunches, martini lunches, and lavish events in its opulent spaces, including the renowned Crystal Ballroom. It welcomed a host of notable guests, such as President John F. Kennedy, Bob Hope, Babe Ruth, Charlie Chaplin, and oil magnates like J. Paul Getty. It was also featured in William Inge's Pulitzer-winning play Picnic.

Over time, the hotel underwent several ownership changes and faced a period of decline, ultimately closing in 1981 after an unfinished renovation. However, the Mayo Hotel was saved from demolition in 2001 when John Snyder purchased the property for $250,000 and spearheaded a $42 million restoration project. The renovation preserved its historic grandeur while incorporating modern luxury, including a parking garage, loft apartments, and restored event spaces.

The hotel reopened in 2009, hosting high-profile guests such as Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, and Fleetwood Mac. Today, it remains a vibrant part of Tulsa’s downtown, offering 102 hotel rooms, 76 private residences, and premium venues for events.

The Gillette-Tyrrell Building, now known as the Pythian Building, is a three-story Art Deco masterpiece designed by Edward W. Saunders and initially commissioned by oilmen J.M. Gillette and H.C. Tyrrell in 1929. Originally intended to be a thirteen-story office building topped with a hotel, construction halted at three stories due to financial difficulties during the Great Depression. The building was sold to the Knights of Pythias in 1931, who completed it as an office building.

The building's exterior features a striking facade with cream-colored terra cotta, vertical piers adorned with zigzag diamond patterns, and colorful terra cotta accents in blue, green, and burnt sienna. The ground-floor windows have Tudor arch designs with steel-framed glass.

“ A striking facade with cream-colored terra cotta... ”

Inside, the L-shaped lobby dazzles with a ceramic Native American blanket pattern on the tiled floors, colorful zigzag wall tiling, and intricate lighting, including an etched-glass faux skylight and eight slender chandeliers crafted by the Empire Chandelier Manufacturing Company. A staircase leads to a second-floor balcony overlooking the lobby.

Recognized for its exceptional Art Deco style, the Pythian Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Restoration efforts have preserved much of its original grandeur, including multicolored tiles, etched glass, and intricate plasterwork.

Often referred to as the “Queen of Tulsa's Skyline,” the Philtower is a striking example of Neo-Gothic architecture with Art Deco influences. It was financed by oilman and philanthropist Waite Phillips. Its most distinctive features include a 40-foot-tall pyramidal roof adorned with colorful Imperial English clay tiles and a copper lantern illuminated by neon lights, which beam brightly into the night sky. The building stands 24 stories tall at 323 feet and was originally the tallest building in Oklahoma.

The building's interior is equally remarkable. The lobby boasts an English fan-vaulted ceiling crafted with carved stone rosettes from Italy, along with travertine marble floors and mahogany accents. Brass elevator doors bear Waite Phillips' distinctive seal. The 21st floor, formerly Phillips' office, underwent a meticulous restoration in 2013, recreating its original grandeur using hand-carved walnut furniture and historically accurate tiles and paintings.

“ The [Philtower] stands 24 stories tall...and was originally the tallest building in Oklahoma. ”

Initially constructed as a high-rise office building, the Philtower transitioned to mixed-use in 2004, with floors 12-20 converted into luxury residential lofts. Notable tenants have included KVOO Radio, where Paul Harvey began his career, and businesses like Miss Jackson's Clothing and the Texas Oil Company.

In 1941, Waite Phillips gifted the Philtower to the Boy Scouts of America to support Philmont Ranch. The building changed ownership in 1977 and is now owned by Philtower LLC. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and became part of Tulsa's Oil Capital Historic District in 2010.

The Philcade Building is an iconic Art Deco office building located in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma, at the corner of 5th Street and Boston Avenue. Designed by architect Leon B. Senter for oilman Waite Phillips, the building was constructed between 1929 and 1931. Initially planned as a modest two-story structure, it ultimately grew to 13 stories plus a penthouse, becoming one of the most significant buildings in Tulsa's downtown landscape.

The building was strategically created to complement Phillips' nearby Philtower Building and to help maintain the economic vitality of Boston Avenue. Its design features distinctive Art Deco Zigzag style architecture, with a buff brick exterior and elaborate terra cotta detailing on the first two floors. The terra cotta ornamentation is particularly noteworthy, featuring stylized flora and fauna, Egyptian motifs, and hidden animal designs.

A unique feature of the Philcade is its lavish interior, especially the T-shaped lobby, which was Tulsa's first indoor shopping mall. The lobby boasts marble walls, bronze accents, a terrazzo floor, and a ceiling decorated with hand-painted Art Deco designs and gold leaf. The building initially housed various shops on its ground and mezzanine levels, including a cigar store, newsstand, barbershop, and clothing stores.

“ The lobby boasts marble walls, bronze accents, a terrazzo floor, and a ceiling decorated with hand-painted Art Deco designs and gold leaf. ”

In 1937, a 23-room penthouse was added to the building, which became the residence for Waite and Genevieve Phillips after they donated their mansion, Villa Philbrook, to the city. The building was also notable for being Tulsa's first fully air-conditioned office building.

An interesting architectural feature is the 80-foot tunnel connecting the Philcade to the Philtower, which was built not only for moving supplies but also to provide a secure passage for Phillips, who was concerned about potential kidnapping attempts common during that era.

The Philcade was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1986 and remains an important example of Art Deco architecture in Tulsa. It has undergone several name changes over the years, including the Stanolind Building and the Amoco North Building, but the name Philcade has returned to popular usage.

The Tulsa Club Building is a historic 11-story structure that originally served as the social hub for the city's elite. Built in 1927, it was a joint venture between the Tulsa Club and the Tulsa Chamber of Commerce. Designed by renowned architect Bruce Goff in the Art Deco style, the building's exterior is adorned with Bedford limestone and features a distinctive zigzag design. The Tulsa Club occupied the top six floors, while the Chamber of Commerce utilized the lower five floors until it vacated in 1966.

For decades, the building was the epicenter of high society in Tulsa, hosting prominent business figures and cultural events. The Club's amenities included dining rooms, a gymnasium, a Turkish bath, and a barbershop. The Grand Ballroom, located on the top floor, was particularly famous, with its two-story ceilings and velvet draperies. The Club also featured a sky terrace, offering an outdoor dining experience with stunning views of the city.

“ For decades...the epicenter of high society in Tulsa ”

However, by 1994, the Club's fortunes began to decline. The oil industry, once central to the city's economy, shifted, and the Club faced dwindling membership. The building was abandoned, and for nearly 20 years, it stood vacant and deteriorating. Squatters and vandals caused significant damage, and multiple attempts to revitalize the structure failed due to the high cost of restoration.

In 2014, the Ross Group, a local construction firm, purchased the building with plans to convert it into a boutique hotel. After extensive renovations, the Tulsa Club Building reopened in April 2019 as the Tulsa Club Hotel, part of Hilton’s Curio Collection. The $36 million restoration preserved much of the building’s historic charm while modernizing it for new uses. Today, the hotel offers 96 rooms, event spaces, and a rooftop bar, becoming a key part of Tulsa's Art Deco District and a symbol of the city's ongoing revitalization efforts.

Originally built as the headquarters for Atlas Life Insurance Company, The Atlas Life Building is a historic 12-story structure designed by architects Rush, Endacott, and Rush. The building features a traditional brick and stone tower with distinctive Art Deco elements, including a grand entryway with decorative marble and a bronze relief of Atlas carrying the world.

The building's most recognizable feature is its four-story neon sign, installed in 1946, which remains a local landmark. The Atlas Life Company operated from the building until 1991, after which it changed ownership several times. In 2010, the building was converted into a Courtyard by Marriott hotel, following extensive renovations that preserved many of its historic elements. The hotel retains the seventh floor's original office environment while offering modern amenities, including a restaurant and fitness center on the second floor.

The building was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 2009.

The Mid-Continent Tower is a 36-story skyscraper located at 401 South Boston Avenue in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma. Standing over 500 feet tall (156 meters), it is the fourth-tallest building in Tulsa and the fifth-tallest in Oklahoma. Originally built in 1918 as the 16-story Cosden Building for oil baron Joshua Cosden, it was designed by architect Henry F. Hoit in a modern Gothic style. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

In 1984, a 20-story tower was cantilevered over the original structure, bringing the total height to 36 stories. Despite being constructed 66 years apart, the two sections were designed to match in style, making the building appear as a single unified structure. The Mid-Continent Tower is now a key part of the Oil Capital Historic District.

“ While sometimes associated with Art Deco, the Mid-Continent Tower is built in a modern Gothic style. ”

Historically, the building housed the energy company Reading & Bates until 1989, when it moved to Houston. The building faced foreclosure in 1994 and legal disputes until it was sold in 2011. While sometimes associated with Art Deco, the Mid-Continent Tower is built in a modern Gothic style.

The 320 South Boston Building (formerly the Exchange National Bank of Tulsa Building) was initially constructed in 1917 as the headquarters for the Exchange National Bank of Tulsa. The building was expanded in 1929 to reach its current height of 400 feet (122 meters), making it the tallest building in Oklahoma at the time. It held this distinction until 1931 and remained the tallest in Tulsa until 1967. The building is now part of the Oil Capital Historic District.

Designed by architect George Winkler in the Neo-Classical style, the building features intricate terra cotta detailing and a stepped tower with a cupola that once served as a weather alert system, with changing lights indicating weather forecasts. The building spans a full city block between Third and Fourth Streets and is a prominent part of Tulsa's skyline. Over the years, it underwent multiple expansions, including a significant addition in 1927-1928, which created its current form as a 22-story structure.

The building housed the National Bank of Tulsa until the institution moved to the newly constructed BOK Tower in 1977. Following this, the building became a general office building, continuing to serve as a home for various tenants, including one of Oklahoma's largest law firms, Hall Estill. The building also housed the first KOTV television transmitter in 1949, which remained there until 1954. There were long-standing urban myths about the building, including the false claim that the tower was designed for Zeppelin moorings, which has been disproven.

“ The 320 South Boston Building is known for its massive vault...featuring a 55-ton, 20-inch steel door. ”

In addition to its historic architecture, the 320 South Boston Building is known for its massive vault, built in 1927 by Mosler Safe Co., featuring a 55-ton, 20-inch steel door. This vault is still in use today by the Bank of Oklahoma.

The BOK Tower in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma, stands as an iconic skyscraper with a striking connection to the former World Trade Center in New York City. Completed in 1976, the 52-story tower reaches 667 feet (203 meters), making it Oklahoma's tallest building until the completion of the Devon Energy Center in 2011. Designed by Minoru Yamasaki & Associates, the same architects behind the Twin Towers, the BOK Tower is often described as a half-scale homage to those lost structures. The building’s former name, One Williams Center, reflects its original purpose as the headquarters for the Williams Companies.

John Williams, then-CEO of the Williams Companies, admired the design of the World Trade Center and initially envisioned constructing two 25-story replicas in Tulsa. However, practical considerations led to a single, larger structure, doubling the planned height to 52 stories. The tower mirrors many design elements of the Twin Towers, including steel perimeter columns, vertical lines, and a bi-level marble-clad lobby reminiscent of New York's World Trade Center. These similarities were so pronounced that executives joked the architects simply halved the Twin Towers' blueprints to create the BOK Tower.

“ Executives joked the architects simply halved the Twin Towers' blueprints to create the BOK Tower. ”

In 2006, the BOK Tower underwent a $16 million renovation, which included modernizing pedestrian bridges, adding granite finishes, upgrading fitness centers, and repairing flood damage. More recent renovations on the main Plaza Level of the BOK Tower were completed in 2022. An upscale Plaza Lounge and exterior Garden Terrace were added, as well as the Center Court food hall featuring a variety of restaurant options and a first-of-its-kind Quiktrip store with Just Walk Out technology.

Today, the BOK Tower remains a defining feature of Tulsa's skyline. While no longer the tallest building in the state, its striking resemblance to the Twin Towers ensures its continued significance, both as a piece of architectural history and as a silent tribute to the structures that inspired it.

The Tulsa Union Depot, also known as Tulsa Union Station, is a historic landmark in Tulsa, Oklahoma, that exemplifies Art Deco architecture and represents an era of economic optimism during the Great Depression. Built in 1931 by the Public Works Administration, the depot united three major railway lines—Frisco, Katy, and Santa Fe—into a single hub, ending the city's disjointed rail service arrangement. Its construction, costing $3.5 million, also involved significant infrastructure changes, such as building viaducts to elevate streets over the rail tracks, eliminating downtown grade crossings.

The building's design by R.C. Stephens reflects PWA Moderne style, with elements like chevrons, winged wheels, and sunbursts symbolizing hope and progress. Its amenities included a coffee shop, soda fountain, barbershop, drugstore, and segregated waiting rooms, reflecting the era. Escalators were added in 1952, showcasing its commitment to modernity.

“ [Union Depot's] design...reflects PWA Moderne style, with elements like chevrons, winged wheels, and sunbursts symbolizing hope and progress. ”

On May 12, 1931, the depot's opening drew 60,000 visitors, celebrating with speeches, performances, and a parade. At its peak, it served 36 trains daily, but its significance dwindled as air travel and highways became dominant, leading to its closure in 1967.

Abandoned and often vandalized, the depot was eventually purchased by the Williams Companies in 1980 and restored into office space by 1983, preserving its architectural details. In 2004, it transitioned to hosting the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, which operated in the space after a $4 million renovation. Financial struggles led to a lease dispute, bankruptcy, and eventual transfer to a new nonprofit, The Jazz Foundation LLC, in 2021.

Renovations began in 2022, with plans to transform the space into the Jazz Depot, a venue for concerts and private events with a capacity of 500. Updates have included restoring original Art Deco elements while incorporating new murals and modern features.