121 Elm St

The National, formerly known as the First National Bank Building, is a striking skyscraper in the Main Street District of Dallas, Texas. Opened in 1965, the 50-story building was for a time the tallest building west of the Mississippi and shaped the city skyline for many years. Designed by architects George Dahl and Thomas E. Stanley, its facade stands out for a high-contrast mix of dark gray glass and white marble imported from Greece. The architecture is defined by an octagonal tower that sits slightly offset on a broad base. The building originally served as the headquarters of First National Bank, with the lower floors used for banking and the upper floors leased out as offices.

After years of declining occupancy and a closure in 2010, the building underwent an extensive and costly renovation. In 2020 it reopened as The National after being converted to a mixed-use concept. Today the building houses the luxurious Thompson Dallas Hotel, several hundred apartments, office space, and retail space. The site is particularly interesting for visitors because it combines the historical significance of bank architecture with modern living and tourism. The National Register of Historic Places has recognized the building as a cultural landmark since 2017.

On the ground floor, a long pedestrian passage connects Elm Street and Pacific Street and forms part of the city's pedestrian network. This open design invites you to linger and provides access to the shops on the lower level. Inside, you can still find traces of the building's banking past, such as the former teller areas and ceremonial rooms, which are now integrated into the new setting. The building sits right next to the DART Akard Station, giving it excellent public transit access. Despite current financial challenges, The National remains a central attraction in the heart of Dallas, its architecture reflecting the city's eventful history.