Leveque Tower

The LeVeque Tower in downtown Columbus, Ohio, is a striking 47-story Art Deco skyscraper that opened in 1927 as the American Insurance Union Citadel. Designed by architect C. Howard Crane, the building stands out for its cream-colored terra-cotta facade, which shows Byzantine influences. It originally served as the headquarters of an insurance company and housed not only office space but also a theater and hotel rooms in two wings, which were connected by a bridge to the neighboring Deshler Hotel. At roughly 555 feet (169 meters), the tower was the tallest building in the city until 1974 and is still one of its most prominent landmarks. The facade was once adorned with large figures such as eagles and angels, while Italian and Belgian marble and bronze mosaics decorated the public areas inside.

After the original owner went bankrupt during the Great Depression, the building changed names and functions several times. In the 1960s and 1970s it lost importance as new office complexes sprang up around the city. Following a comprehensive renovation completed in 2017, the LeVeque Tower is now a mixed-use development. You can stay overnight at the Hotel LeVeque, part of Marriott's Autograph Collection, or enjoy the view from the upper floor. The ground floor is home to the restaurant The Keep, while the upper floors house modern apartments and offices. The adjacent Palace Theatre, which opened in 1926 as a vaudeville house, is now an important venue for theater performances and concerts, with a large stage that has hosted numerous famous performers.

Today the building is a vibrant part of city life and is lit at night with modern LED lights that change color depending on the occasion. The tower's historic significance is underscored by its listing on the National Register of Historic Places. For visitors, the site offers a mix of historic architecture, cultural experiences at the theater, and modern residential and hotel comforts. The combination of the imposing facade, the rich history, and its current use as a hotel, residential building, and event venue makes the LeVeque Tower a central attraction in Columbus, reflecting the city's development from the early 20th century to the present day.