About the Davis Building in Downtown Dallas

The Davis is one of the most historic and architecturally distinguished buildings in downtown Dallas. The eastern cupola crowned portion of the structure was built in 1926 as the headquarters for Republic National Bank. This classic revival building was the second tallest in Dallas when it was built.  When the west extension was added in 1931, the Davis became the largest office building in the state of Texas and served as the bank headquarters until 1954 when the bank moved to a new facility.

At that time the old bank building was renamed in honor of Wirt Davis, long time chairman of the bank. Reflecting its role in the emergence of Dallas as a major city, the Davis forms part of a core group of historic buildings in the vicinity of Main Street near Akard and Ervay. These include the original Neiman Marcus store, the Adolphus Hotel and the Magnolia Building topped by its signature flying neon horse.