Milam Building

At 280 feet (90 m), the 21-story Milam Building in downtown San Antonio, Texas was the tallest brick and reinforced concrete structure in the United States when it opened in 1928, as well as the first high-rise air-conditioned office building. The building was designed by George Willis, engineered by M.L. Diver, and constructed by L.T. Wright and Company. The building was named in honor of the Republic of Texas historical figure Benjamin Milam, noted for his leadership during the Texas Revolution. In keeping with that motif, the only flag that flies atop the tower is the Lone Star flag.

The Milam Building has undergone many events, including fires, foreclosure, and ownership changes. It was owned by Principal Mutual Life Insurance Co. of Des Moines, Iowa while the law firm of Maloney & Maloney occupied the top three floors. The 1950s had a tenancy by Mobil, Shell, the Railroad Commission of Texas, and Exxon used the building for their Texas headquarters, before they moved to Houston. The 1960s saw a tenancy by the men's clothing firm Hutchins Brothers in the specially designed Argyle Room as a permanent retail store within the building.

George Willis was the architect of the building. The Milam Building was listed on National Register of Historic Places in 2014. The building was the first high rise office building in the world that was completely air conditioned and the first high rise that was built with no steel girders, only reinforced concrete.

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