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Coordinates: 29°25′08″N 98°29′01″W / 29.418888°N 98.483611°W / 29.418888; -98.483611 (Tower of the Americas)
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{{Use American English|date=September 2016}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2016}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2016}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2016}}
{{More citations needed|date=April 2010}}
{{Infobox building
{{Infobox building
| image = File:San Antonio May 2018 8 (Tower of the Americas).jpg
| image = File:San Antonio May 2018 8 (Tower of the Americas).jpg
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| roof = {{convert|622|ft|abbr=on}}
| roof = {{convert|622|ft|abbr=on}}
| coordinates = {{Coord|29.418888|-98.483611|region:US-TX_type:landmark|name=Tower of the Americas|display=title,inline}}
| coordinates = {{Coord|29.418888|-98.483611|region:US-TX_type:landmark|name=Tower of the Americas|display=title,inline}}
| architect = [[O'Neil Ford]]
| architect = [[O'Neil Ford|Ford, Powell & Carson]]
| structural_engineer= Feigenspan and Pinnell
| start_date = August 9, 1966
| start_date = August 10, 1966
| completion_date =
| completion_date =
| opening = April 6, 1968
| opening = April 6, 1968
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}}
}}
[[Image:Entrance to Tower of the Americas IMG_4576.JPG|200px|right|thumb|Entrance to the Tower of the Americas]]
[[Image:Entrance to Tower of the Americas IMG_4576.JPG|200px|right|thumb|Entrance to the Tower of the Americas]]
[[File:Top of tower of americas.JPG|thumb|The very top of tower of Americas]]
[[File:Top of tower of americas.JPG|thumb|The very top of the Tower of the Americas]]
[[File:View from Tower of the Americas.jpg|right|200px|thumb|View of [[Downtown San Antonio]] from the Tower of the Americas]]
[[File:SanAntonio2005.jpg|right|200px|thumb|View of [[Downtown San Antonio]] from the Tower of the Americas]]
[[File:Tower of the Americas San Antonio elevator.jpg|right|120px|thumb|The three elevators on the exterior of the Tower of the Americas]]
[[File:Tower of the Americas San Antonio elevator.jpg|right|120px|thumb|The three elevators on the exterior of the Tower of the Americas]]


The '''Tower of the Americas''' is a {{convert|750|ft|m|0|abbr=off|sp=us|adj=on}} observation tower-restaurant located in the Hemisfair district on the southeastern portion of [[Downtown San Antonio]], [[Texas]], [[United States]]. The tower was designed by San Antonio [[architect]] [[O'Neil Ford]]<ref>{{cite book | last = Gerem | first = Yves | title = A Marmac Guide to San Antonio | publisher = Pelican Publishing Company | location = Gretna | year = 2001 | isbn = 1-56554-821-3 | page = 271}}</ref> and was built as the theme structure of the 1968 World's Fair, [[HemisFair '68]]. It was named as a result of a name the tower contest created by the executive committee. 68 people submitted the name the tower is now known by.<ref name="sanews">{{cite news |last=Danini|first=Carmina|date=2018-04-05|title=It was McComb's towering achievement|url=https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/McCombs-headed-efforts-to-build-San-Antonio-s-12805329.php|work=San Antonio Express-News|access-date=2018-04-08|pages=A1, A11}}</ref>
The '''Tower of the Americas''' is a {{convert|750|ft|m|0|abbr=off|sp=us|adj=on}} [[observation tower]]-restaurant located in the Hemisfair district in the southeastern portion of [[Downtown San Antonio]], [[Texas]], [[United States]]. The tower was designed by San Antonio [[architect]] [[O'Neil Ford]]<ref>{{cite book | last = Gerem | first = Yves | title = A Marmac Guide to San Antonio | publisher = Pelican Publishing Company | location = Gretna | year = 2001 | isbn = 1-56554-821-3 | page = 271}}</ref> and was built as the theme structure of the 1968 World's Fair, [[HemisFair '68]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Association |first=Texas State Historical |title=HemisFair '68 |url=https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/hemisfair-68 |access-date=2023-12-19 |website=Texas State Historical Association |language=en}}</ref> Originally known as 'HemisFair Tower',<ref>{{Cite web |title=How San Antonio's most iconic skyline structure came to be |url=https://www.expressnews.com/projects/lifestyle/tower-of-the-americas-construction |access-date=2023-12-19 |website=Express News |language=en}}</ref> it was ultimately named 'the Tower of the Americas' as a result of a name-the-tower contest created by the executive committee. Sixty-eight people submitted the name by which the tower is now known.<ref name="sanews">{{cite news |last=Danini|first=Carmina|date=2018-04-05|title=It was McComb's towering achievement|url=https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/McCombs-headed-efforts-to-build-San-Antonio-s-12805329.php|work=San Antonio Express-News|access-date=2018-04-08|pages=A1, A11}}</ref>


It was the tallest observation tower in the United States from 1968 until 1996, when the [[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas]] [[Stratosphere Tower]] was completed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emporis.com/application/?nav=building&id=towerofstreetamericas-sanantonio-tx-usa&lng=3|title=Tower of the Americas|publisher=Emporis.com|access-date=April 17, 2010}}</ref> The tower is the tallest occupiable structure in San Antonio, and it is the 30th-tallest occupiable structure in Texas.
It was the tallest observation tower in the United States from 1968 until 1996, when the [[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas]] [[Stratosphere Tower]] was completed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emporis.com/application/?nav=building&id=towerofstreetamericas-sanantonio-tx-usa&lng=3|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120728214940/http://www.emporis.com/application/?nav=building&id=towerofstreetamericas-sanantonio-tx-usa&lng=3|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 28, 2012|title=Tower of the Americas|publisher=Emporis.com|access-date=April 17, 2010}}</ref> The tower is the tallest occupiable structure in San Antonio, and it is the 30th-tallest occupiable structure in Texas.


The tower is located in the middle of the former HemisFair '68 site and has an observation deck that is accessible by elevator for a fee. There is also a lounge and revolving restaurant at the top of the tower that provides panoramic views of the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://planeteyetraveler.com/tag/tower-of-the-americas/|title=Tower of the Americas|publisher=Planeteyetraveler.com|access-date=April 17, 2010}}</ref>
The tower is located in the middle of the former HemisFair '68 site and has an observation deck, accessible by elevator for a fee. There is also a lounge and [[revolving restaurant]] at the top of the tower, providing panoramic views of the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://planeteyetraveler.com/tag/tower-of-the-americas/|title=Tower of the Americas|publisher=Planeteyetraveler.com|access-date=April 17, 2010}}</ref>


== History ==
==Construction history==


=== Background and construction ===
Construction of the tower began on August 9, 1966 and cost $5.2 million. The top house of the tower was constructed at ground level and hoisted to the top of the poured concrete shaft. As the top house was being hoisted into place, on October 30, 1967 some of the cables used to hoist it snapped, leaving it resting and precariously tilted on the tower's shaft. Eventually, oil field pipes were used in lieu of cables to complete the job. It was completed in approximately 18 months, though not quite in time for the fair's opening ceremonies held on April 6, 1968. It was opened to the public five days later on April 11. The top house still had not been finished, with construction materials and lumber strewn about.<ref name="sanews"/>
The Tower of the Americas was conceived as the theme structure for HemisFair '68, a [[world's fair]] held to celebrate the 250th anniversary of San Antonio.<ref name="TowerOfTheAmericas">{{cite web|url=https://www.toweroftheamericas.com/history|title=History {{!}} Tower of the Americas in San Antonio, TX}}</ref> Designed by local architect O’Neil Ford, construction of the tower began in 1966 and was completed in 18 months, in time for the fair.<ref name="CultureTrip">{{cite web|url=https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/usa/texas/articles/the-history-of-the-tower-of-the-americas-in-1-minute/|title=The History Of The Tower Of The Americas In 1 Minute}}</ref> The tower, including its antenna, stands 750 feet above the former fair site, now HemisFair Park.<ref name="UTSA">{{cite web|url=https://libguides.utsa.edu/HemisFair68/tower|title=Tower of the Americas - HemisFair'68 - LibGuides at University of Texas at San Antonio}}</ref>


Construction of the tower was notable for its unique method. The 1.4-million-pound top house, containing observation decks and a restaurant, was built at ground level and then hoisted to the top of the concrete shaft, inch by inch, using twenty-four steel lifting rods. This process took twenty days.
==Tower restaurant==


⚫
Prior to Landry's, Frontier Enterprises (owner of San Antonio-based [[Jim's Restaurants]]) operated the Tower of the Americas' restaurant for more than three decades.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Association |first=Texas State Historical |title=HemisFair '68 |url=https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/hemisfair-68 |access-date=2023-12-19 |website=Texas State Historical Association |language=en}}</ref>
In 2004, [[Landry's Restaurants, Inc.]] won the bid for a 15-year lease to manage and operate the property for its owner, the City of San Antonio. Landry's undertook an extensive $8 million renovation of the existing restaurant and lounge and observation deck and added a [[4-D film]] "ride" called "Skies Over Texas," that gives the history of [[Texas]] in a [[film]] format. Additionally, Landry's spent another $4 million to add approximately 200% more space for ground level attractions such as a gift shop and cafe. Renovations were completed and the tower re-opened with the new Eyes Over Texas Restaurant, Bar 601 and the Flags Over Texas observation deck on June 21, 2006. The restaurant rotates slowly, and observation deck entry is included in the cost of a tower ticket.


⚫
[[File:Five North American Towers.png|thumb|• [[CN Tower]], [[Toronto]], Ontario, Canada<br />• [[Willis Tower]], [[Chicago]], Illinois, U.S.<br />• [[Stratosphere Las Vegas|Stratosphere]], [[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas]], Nevada, U.S.<br />• Tower of the Americas, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.<br />• [[Space Needle]], [[Seattle]], Washington, U.S.]]
In September 2007, Landry's converted the Eyes Over Texas Restaurant into one of its [[Chart House]] outlets.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/stories/MYSA021506.01A.Tower_ride.12d16b4d.html|title=A top draw at the Tower could be at the bottom|publisher=San Antonio Express-News|date=February 14, 2008|access-date=October 11, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929083853/http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/stories/MYSA021506.01A.Tower_ride.12d16b4d.html|archive-date=September 29, 2007|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

⚫
Prior to Landry's, Frontier Enterprises (owner of San Antonio-based [[Jim's Restaurants]]) operated the tower of the Americas' restaurant for more than three decades.

⚫
[[File:Five North American Towers.png|thumb|• [[CN Tower]], [[Toronto]], Ontario, Canada<br />• [[Willis Tower]], [[Chicago]], Illinois, U.S.<br />• [[Stratosphere Las Vegas|Stratosphere]], [[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas]], Nevada, U.S.<br />• Tower of the Americas, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.<br />• Space Needle, [[Seattle]], Washington, U.S.]]


==Tower heights==
==Tower heights==
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==FM radio==
==FM radio==
Since 1970 the roof has hosted a {{convert|30|m|ft|0|adj=mid|sp=us|-tall}} tapered steel mast, used as support for three FM antennas; 101.9 [[KQXT]] (then known as KCOR-FM), 102.7 [[KJXK]] (then KTFM), and 104.5 [[KZEP]] (then KITE-FM). In 2007, the three individual antennas were replaced by a 16-bay master antenna that radiates all three FM signals including the HD signal for KQXT. Clear Channel Radio and Electronics Research Inc. headed up the project along with their contractors and involved the City of San Antonio and Landry's Restaurants. The new antenna system improved coverage for all three radio stations. An option existed for several years to add facilities for a move in signal on 97.7 (requiring rearrangement of ten other stations) to share the site. This was organized by Bret Huggins and David Stewart of Rawhide Radio, LLC (partly owned by Hispanic Broadcasting now Univision radio).
Since 1970 the roof has hosted a {{convert|30|m|ft|0|adj=mid|sp=us|-tall}} tapered steel mast, used as support for three FM antennas; 101.9 [[KQXT]] (then known as KCOR-FM), 102.7 [[KJXK]] (then KTFM), and 104.5 [[KZEP]] (then KITE-FM). In 2007, the three individual antennas were replaced by a 16-bay master antenna that radiates all three FM signals including the HD signal for KQXT. Clear Channel Radio and Electronics Research Inc. headed up the project along with their contractors and involved the City of San Antonio and Landry's Restaurants. The new antenna system improved coverage for all three radio stations. An option existed for several years to add facilities for a move in signal on 97.7 (requiring rearrangement of ten other stations) to share the site. This was organized by Bret Huggins and David Stewart of Rawhide Radio, LLC (partly owned by Hispanic Broadcasting, now Univision radio).


Transmitters are located between the public areas of the observation deck and the revolving restaurant in equipment bays along with air conditioners and plumbing.
Transmitters are located between the public areas of the observation deck and the revolving restaurant in equipment bays along with air conditioners and plumbing.


==Trivia==
==Trivia==

The fastest recorded time up the tower's 952 steps is 5 minutes 18 seconds on January 29, 1981.<ref>''San Antonio Express News'', January 30, 1981, page 12-A</ref>
The fastest recorded time up the tower's 952 steps is 5 minutes 18 seconds on January 29, 1981.<ref>''San Antonio Express News'', January 30, 1981, page 12-A</ref>

This is one of two observation towers in Texas, the other being the [[Reunion Tower]] in [[Dallas]].


==See also==
==See also==
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*"A Guide to the San Antonio Fair, Inc., Records, 1963-1995 (Bulk 1964-1968)". [http://libguides.utsa.edu/content.php?pid=307526&sid=2534469 Texas Archival Resources Online]. Retrieved Feb. 9, 2006.
*"A Guide to the San Antonio Fair, Inc., Records, 1963-1995 (Bulk 1964-1968)". [http://libguides.utsa.edu/content.php?pid=307526&sid=2534469 Texas Archival Resources Online]. Retrieved Feb. 9, 2006.
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

<!--{{coord|29|25|08|N|98|29|01|W|type:landmark|display=title}}-->
<!--{{coord|29|25|08|N|98|29|01|W|type:landmark|display=title}}-->


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*[http://libguides.utsa.edu/content.php?pid=307526&sid=2518265 History of the Tower of the Americas] research guide with archival photographs
*[http://libguides.utsa.edu/content.php?pid=307526&sid=2518265 History of the Tower of the Americas] research guide with archival photographs
*[http://toweroftheamericas.com/ Tower of the Americas restaurant]
*[http://toweroftheamericas.com/ Tower of the Americas restaurant]
*[http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=118195 Emporis: Tower of the Americas]
*{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20040618021033/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=118195 Emporis: Tower of the Americas]}}
* {{Structurae|id=20000341|title=Tower of the Americas}}
* {{Structurae|id=20000341|title=Tower of the Americas}}
*[http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/AsrSearch/asrRegistration.jsp?regKey=2600109 FCC-Entry]
*[http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/AsrSearch/asrRegistration.jsp?regKey=2600109 FCC-Entry]
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{{succession box|
{{succession box|
before=[[Tower Life Building (San Antonio)|Tower Life Building]]|
before=[[Tower Life Building (San Antonio)|Tower Life Building]]|
title=Tallest Building in San Antonio|
title=Tallest Structure in San Antonio|
years=1968–Present<br/><small>229m</small>|
years=1968–Present<br/><small>229m</small>|
after=None}}
after=None}}

Latest revision as of 19:05, 26 August 2024

Tower of the Americas
Map
General information
TypeObservation tower
LocationSan Antonio, Texas, U.S.
Coordinates29°25′08″N 98°29′01″W / 29.418888°N 98.483611°W / 29.418888; -98.483611 (Tower of the Americas)
Construction startedAugust 10, 1966
OpeningApril 6, 1968
OwnerCity of San Antonio
ManagementCity of San Antonio and Landry's Restaurants
Height
Antenna spire750 ft (230 m)
Roof622 ft (190 m)
Top floor579 ft (176 m)
Design and construction
Architect(s)Ford, Powell & Carson
Structural engineerFeigenspan and Pinnell
Entrance to the Tower of the Americas
The very top of the Tower of the Americas
View of Downtown San Antonio from the Tower of the Americas
The three elevators on the exterior of the Tower of the Americas

The Tower of the Americas is a 750-foot (229-meter) observation tower-restaurant located in the Hemisfair district in the southeastern portion of Downtown San Antonio, Texas, United States. The tower was designed by San Antonio architect O'Neil Ford[1] and was built as the theme structure of the 1968 World's Fair, HemisFair '68.[2] Originally known as 'HemisFair Tower',[3] it was ultimately named 'the Tower of the Americas' as a result of a name-the-tower contest created by the executive committee. Sixty-eight people submitted the name by which the tower is now known.[4]

It was the tallest observation tower in the United States from 1968 until 1996, when the Las Vegas Stratosphere Tower was completed.[5] The tower is the tallest occupiable structure in San Antonio, and it is the 30th-tallest occupiable structure in Texas.

The tower is located in the middle of the former HemisFair '68 site and has an observation deck, accessible by elevator for a fee. There is also a lounge and revolving restaurant at the top of the tower, providing panoramic views of the city.[6]

History

[edit]

Background and construction

[edit]

The Tower of the Americas was conceived as the theme structure for HemisFair '68, a world's fair held to celebrate the 250th anniversary of San Antonio.[7] Designed by local architect O’Neil Ford, construction of the tower began in 1966 and was completed in 18 months, in time for the fair.[8] The tower, including its antenna, stands 750 feet above the former fair site, now HemisFair Park.[9]

Construction of the tower was notable for its unique method. The 1.4-million-pound top house, containing observation decks and a restaurant, was built at ground level and then hoisted to the top of the concrete shaft, inch by inch, using twenty-four steel lifting rods. This process took twenty days.

Prior to Landry's, Frontier Enterprises (owner of San Antonio-based Jim's Restaurants) operated the Tower of the Americas' restaurant for more than three decades.[10]

• CN Tower, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• Willis Tower, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
• Stratosphere, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
• Tower of the Americas, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
• Space Needle, Seattle, Washington, U.S.

Tower heights

[edit]
  • 750 ft (229 m) to top of the antenna.
  • 622 ft (190 m) to top of roof.
  • 579 ft (176 m) to indoor observation deck.
  • 560 ft (170 m) to outdoor observation deck.
  • 550 ft (168 m) to restaurant and stationary level.

FM radio

[edit]

Since 1970 the roof has hosted a 30-meter-tall (98 ft) tapered steel mast, used as support for three FM antennas; 101.9 KQXT (then known as KCOR-FM), 102.7 KJXK (then KTFM), and 104.5 KZEP (then KITE-FM). In 2007, the three individual antennas were replaced by a 16-bay master antenna that radiates all three FM signals including the HD signal for KQXT. Clear Channel Radio and Electronics Research Inc. headed up the project along with their contractors and involved the City of San Antonio and Landry's Restaurants. The new antenna system improved coverage for all three radio stations. An option existed for several years to add facilities for a move in signal on 97.7 (requiring rearrangement of ten other stations) to share the site. This was organized by Bret Huggins and David Stewart of Rawhide Radio, LLC (partly owned by Hispanic Broadcasting, now Univision radio).

Transmitters are located between the public areas of the observation deck and the revolving restaurant in equipment bays along with air conditioners and plumbing.

Trivia

[edit]

The fastest recorded time up the tower's 952 steps is 5 minutes 18 seconds on January 29, 1981.[11]

This is one of two observation towers in Texas, the other being the Reunion Tower in Dallas.

See also

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tower of The Americas, San Antonio, Texas.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Gerem, Yves (2001). A Marmac Guide to San Antonio. Gretna: Pelican Publishing Company. p. 271. ISBN 1-56554-821-3.
  2. ^ Association, Texas State Historical. "HemisFair '68". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  3. ^ "How San Antonio's most iconic skyline structure came to be". Express News. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  4. ^ Danini, Carmina (April 5, 2018). "It was McComb's towering achievement". San Antonio Express-News. pp. A1, A11. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  5. ^ "Tower of the Americas". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on July 28, 2012. Retrieved April 17, 2010.
  6. ^ "Tower of the Americas". Planeteyetraveler.com. Retrieved April 17, 2010.
  7. ^ "History | Tower of the Americas in San Antonio, TX".
  8. ^ "The History Of The Tower Of The Americas In 1 Minute".
  9. ^ "Tower of the Americas - HemisFair'68 - LibGuides at University of Texas at San Antonio".
  10. ^ Association, Texas State Historical. "HemisFair '68". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  11. ^ San Antonio Express News, January 30, 1981, page 12-A
[edit]
Preceded by Tallest Building in Texas
1968–1974
229m 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
None
 Tallest Building in Texas Outside of Dallas and Houston
1968–2009
190m 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Tallest Structure in San Antonio
1968–Present
229m 		Succeeded by
None
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