Mother Nature boldly attempted to level the only elevated place in a famously flat community, but almost 55 years later, Lubbock’s tallest building still stands. Some believe the place is twisted, haunted or otherwise undesirable, an emblem of a declining downtown area. Others consider the tower a symbol of city center recovery. What is the true story of the Great Plains Life/Metro Tower/NTS Tower/Metro Tower Lofts Building?
Between 1940 and 1950, Lubbock was the second fastest-growing city in the United States (behind Albuquerque), so to accommodate the expected commercial demand, a skyscraper was in order.
In 1952, construction began on a $2.5 million, towering 20-story office building on the northeast corner of Broadway and Avenue L. The space was formerly occupied by the longtime residence of Lubbock’s pioneer Wheelock family.
The developer, Realty Equities Corp. of New York, hired noted Abilene architect David S. Castle, who designed the structure in mid-twentieth century International Style. Hailed as the tallest building between Fort Worth and Denver, it would rise 274 feet, dwarfing all other structures in Lubbock.