1926 Republic National Bank
Also known as: Davis Building
Why it's listed
Rising twenty stories above Main Street in downtown Dallas, this steel-frame tower clad in Indiana limestone was built in 1925-26 as the home of Republic National Bank and Trust. Architect C. D. Hill designed it in the Classical Revival style, with Beaux Arts touches such as a stepped upper section, urns, balustrades and a crowning cupola. When it opened in February 1926 it was the second tallest building in Dallas. The bank's growth led to a 1931 western addition by Coburn and Fowler, who matched the original design so closely that the two parts read as one building and increased its size by 60 percent. The bank moved to a larger headquarters in 1954, and the building was later renamed for longtime chairman Wirt Davis. Its importance lies in its role in Dallas's commercial growth during the 1920s and in its architecture. A 2003 rehabilitation repaired the exterior and converted most of the space into 183 loft apartments, while vaults remain in the basements.
Significance in brief: The building was headquarters of Republic National Bank and Trust, a prominent financial institution, for twenty-eight years and reflects the 1920s building boom in downtown Dallas. It was the second tallest building in Dallas in 1926 and, after the 1931 addition, was called the largest office building in Texas. It is also a good example of a Classical Revival high-rise with Beaux Arts detailing.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 05001543, listed January 18, 2006. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1309 Main St., Dallas |
|---|---|
| County | Dallas County |
| Listed | January 18, 2006 |
| Reference number | 05001543 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1926-1954 |
| Architect / builder | Hill, H.D.; Coburn & Fowler |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th Century American Movements: Skyscraper (Classical Revival with Beaux Arts influences) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Economics, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Rehabilitated in 2003 and converted into 183 loft apartments; described as in excellent condition, though much of the original interior was lost earlier. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Dallas Downtown Historic District (Additional Documentation) |
| Coordinates | 32.78248, -96.80101 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 05001543.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5241846
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.