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translucent blue glass between vertical panels of light blue glass with white backing and white trimming. The glass facade on the north and south sides were divided into five sections by six vertical columns of precast concrete cladding that covered steel framework; of those, the two corner columns were slightly wider. The east and west sides were divided by five vertical concrete columns that extruded from the building dividing the face into four equal recessed sections. The outer sections had a windowless
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and approved during
January 1959, and groundbreaking ceremonies were held on February 13, 1959. The actual excavation began February 16, 1959. A 3,000 pounds (1,400 kg), 10 feet (3.0 m) tall, 5 feet (1.5 m) wide, 4 feet (1.2 m) thick cake replicating the building's design was presented at the groundbreaking ceremony and Murdock used a silver-plated shovel to cut the first piece of cake.
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Original plans called for an 11-story office building called the 3550 Building. Although the property was only zoned for a 4-story structure city planners approved the plans. Murdock later decided to build higher and he proposed an 18-story tower that would be the city's tallest. Plans were finalized
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The building was topped out in
December 1959. A 60-foot Christmas tree was hoisted onto the roof and decorated with lights which were turned on nightly during the holiday season. The building originally had a light blue appearance when viewed from a distance. The international style curtain wall had
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In 1988 the building's exterior was remodeled and the light blue glass with white backing used as vertical dividers between floors was swapped for a tan non-glossy material. The Mo-Sai covering the vertical columns on the east and west side was replaced with a reddish-brown stone and a large
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terracotta colored pitched roof was added on top of the building for aesthetics. The building now has a tan/brown appearance.
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featured a front-page photograph of the building during construction for an article about
Phoenix titled,
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344:"Two Basements Planned For Tall Offices" The Arizona Republican February 22, 1959 - (Section 5) Page 25
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stone curtain wall and the two middle sections had a glass curtain matching the north and south sides.
324:"Opening Of Guaranty Bank Is Valley Growth Milestone" The Arizona Republican March 4, 1960 - Page 21
358:"Architect Offers Vision, Imagination" The Arizona Republican March 4, 1960 - Advertisement Page 24
367:"Phoenix Skyscraper New High In Murdock Career" The Arizona Republican March 4, 1959 - Page 20
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385:"Bold Signs Visible For Miles" The Arizona Republican March 4, 1960 - Advertisements Page 23
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412:"Building's Stonework Impresses" The Arizona Republican March 4, 1960 - Page 21
315:"Cake Breaking Ceremony" The Arizona Republican February 20, 1959 - Page Seven
376:"Mayers New Phoenix Building" Tucson Daily Citizen January 1, 1965 - Page 24
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394:"Super Cake" The Arizona Republican February 22, 1959 - (Section 5) Page 25
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403:"Topping out" The Arizona Republican December 23, 1959 - Page 14
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Cassidy Turley
Arizona | Valley Bank Tower | Property Brochure
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and constructed between 1959 and 1960 for developer
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475:Phoenix Corporate Center
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189:Design and construction
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222:Henry C. Beck Company
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99:33.4891°N 112.0739°W
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437:Meridian Bank Tower
243:international style
231:Grand Central Tower
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287:In popular culture
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104:33.4891; -112.0739
67:3550 N Central Ave
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90:112°04′26″W
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278:Remodeling
173:Floor area
87:33°29′21″N
202:Developer
152:Top floor
439:on SkyDB
64:Location
261:History
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139:Height
59:Office
131:Owner
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