Opened in 1927, the LeVeque Tower was the tallest skyscraper between New York City and Chicago. Located in Columbus, Ohio, this impressive Art Deco building still highlights the skyline of the city.
At a height of 555 feet (intentionally designed to be five inches taller than the Washington Monument), the tower contains 47 stories. At the time of its completion, it was the fifth tallest building in the United States. Built upon a series of underground caissons, the foundation of the building is secured in the bedrock far below the city streets.
The LeVeque Tower has been called many names over the years. Its original name was the American Insurance Union Citadel. However, during the Great Depression years, the company went bankrupt. In the 1930s, the tower was nicknamed the “IOU Tower” because of the financial challenges it faced.
In 1946, the tower acquired a new name of Lincoln-LeVeque Tower, which reflected its new owners, Leslie LeVeque and John Lincoln. In 1977, the building’s name was shortened to LeVeque Tower.
The tower remained the tallest building in Columbus until 1974 when the Rhodes State Office Tower (624 feet tall) was completed. The tower still stands as the second tallest building in the city.
In 1989, floodlights were added to illuminate the upper floors of the tower. The lights are used 6-8 times per year for special events such as: pink for Susan G. Komen For the Cure; red, white, and blue for Independence Day; and red and green for the Christmas season.
Today, the LeVeque Tower is a mixed-use building. It contains a hotel, condominiums, offices, and restaurant. The adjacent Palace Theater’s marquee and lobby are part of the tower.
Big Sky Buckeye 
What a beautiful interior. I love the Art Deco style and not heard or seen this building before.
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Thanks for reading and sharing some thoughts. This skyscraper is a special gift to the city.
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This is a beautiful building, inside and out. But each time I see a tall building, I am reminded of the Tower of Babel and hope that it wasn’t built to try to exalt oneself up to God. I especially like the interior of this one.
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Vickie, I appreciate you sharing these thoughts. I value your Biblical perspective.
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Reblogged this on Disablities & Mental Health Issues.
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Ken, thanks for sharing this post on your blog. It’s quite a building.
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Impressive, but I’m glad I don’t have to go up to the top of it.
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I understand Anneli. I was in downtown Columbus today so I enjoyed a close-up view of the LeVeque Tower.
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Wow! Gorgeous building and lovely photos of it! Thanks for the history lesson, Richard. ❤
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Jan, you are quite welcome. While I have seen the building from ground level, I have never ventured inside of it. Hmm, sounds like there needs to be a field trip scheduled.
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Indeed!!
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