Alabama is a state that has a rich and diverse history, culture, and geography. It is also a state that has a growing and dynamic urban landscape, with several cities that have impressive skylines. Skyscrapers are buildings that are taller than 150 meters (492 feet) and have more than 40 floors. They are often considered as symbols of a city’s economic, social, and cultural development. In this essay, we will explore the five tallest buildings in Alabama, and learn about their location, architecture, design, function, and significance in the state.
RSA Battle House Tower
The tallest building in Alabama is the RSA Battle House Tower. It is located in Mobile, the fourth-largest city in the state and a major port on the Gulf of Mexico. The RSA Battle House Tower is a modern and elegant skyscraper that has a glass and steel facade and a spire that crowns the top of the building. The tower has a height of 227 meters (745 feet) and 35 floors, making it the tallest building in the state and the 15th tallest building in the United States.
The RSA Battle House Tower was completed in 2007, after four years of construction. It is part of the Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA) Trustmark Complex, which also includes the historic Battle House Hotel, a luxury hotel that dates back to 1852. The tower serves as the headquarters of the RSA, a public pension fund that manages the retirement benefits of state employees. The tower also houses other offices, such as law firms, banks, and insurance companies. The tower is a landmark of Mobile’s skyline and a symbol of the city’s heritage and progress.
Some interesting facts or trivia about the RSA Battle House Tower are:
- The tower is the tallest building on the Gulf Coast outside of Houston, Texas.
- The tower was designed by TVS Associates, the same firm that designed the CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
- The tower has a rooftop helipad that can accommodate emergency landings.
- The tower has a four-star restaurant called The Trellis Room, which offers fine dining and panoramic views of the city.
Quick overview of The RSA Battle House Tower
| Name | RSA Battle House Tower |
| Height | 745 feet (227 m) |
| Floors | 35 |
| Type | Skyscraper |
| Construction Started | 7 November 2003 |
| Construction Completed | 16 September 2006 |
| Rank in the City | 1st |
| Owner | Retirement Systems of Alabama |
| Developer | TVS Associates |
| Address | 11 North Water Street Mobile, Alabama, USA |
Shipt Tower
The second tallest building in Alabama is the Shipt Tower. It is located in Birmingham, the largest city in the state and a major industrial and financial center. The Shipt Tower is a sleek and modern skyscraper that has a dark and reflective facade and a pyramid-shaped roof that lights up at night. The tower has a height of 138 meters (454feet) and 34 floors, making it the second tallest building in the state and the 29th tallest building in the United States.
The Shipt Tower was completed in 1972, after two years of construction. It was originally called the First National-Southern Natural Building, after the two main tenants of the tower. It was later renamed the AmSouth Center, after AmSouth Bancorporation acquired the First National Bank of Birmingham. In 2007, it was renamed again as the Regions Center, after Regions Financial Corporation acquired AmSouth Bancorporation. In 2019, Shipt, a local start-up and a subsidiary of Target Corporation, announced that it would become the anchor tenant of the tower in 2020. The tower was rebranded as Shipt Tower in May 2020, when corporate signage was placed atop the tower.
The Shipt Tower has a significant impact on the local economy, as it is the headquarters of Shipt, one of the fastest-growing online grocery delivery services in the country. Shipt has over 3,000 employees and serves more than 260 markets across the United States. Shipt also supports the local community by partnering with various non-profit organizations, such as the United Way of Central Alabama, the Birmingham Education Foundation, and the Birmingham Zoo. The Shipt Tower is a landmark of Birmingham’s skyline and a symbol of the city’s innovation and entrepreneurship.
Some notable tenants or businesses within the Shipt Tower are:
- Shipt, the online grocery delivery service that occupies 12 floors of the tower.
- Regions Financial Corporation, one of the largest banks in the United States that occupies 10 floors of the tower.
- Burr & Forman, a law firm that occupies 4 floors of the tower.
- Alabama Power, an electric utility company that occupies 2 floors of the tower.
Quick overview of The Shipt Tower
| Name | Shipt Tower |
| Height | 454feet (138m) |
| Floors | 34 |
| Type | Class A Office Building |
| Construction Started | 1983 |
| Construction Completed | 1986 |
| Rank in the City | 2nd tallest building in Birmingham |
| Owner | Barry Companies |
| Developer | Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and Giattina, Fisher & Aycock |
| Address | 420 20th Street North, Birmingham, AL 35203 |
Regions-Harbert Plaza
The third tallest building in Alabama is the Regions-Harbert Plaza. It is also located in Birmingham, near the Shipt Tower. The Regions-Harbert Plaza is a contemporary and sophisticated skyscraper that has a blue and silver facade and a rectangular shape that tapers at the top. The tower has a height of 133meters (437feet) and 32floors, making it the third tallest building in the state and the 64th tallest building in the United States.
The Regions-Harbert Plaza was completed in 1989, after three years of construction. It was originally called the SouthTrust Tower, after the SouthTrust Corporation, a regional bank that occupied the tower. It was later renamed the Wachovia Tower, after Wachovia Corporation acquired SouthTrust Corporation. In 2010, it was renamed again as the Wells Fargo Tower, after Wells Fargo acquired Wachovia Corporation. In 2018, it was renamed again as the Regions-Harbert Plaza, after Regions Financial Corporation and Harbert Management Corporation, two of the largest tenants of the tower.
The Regions-Harbert Plaza has a functionality and purpose within Alabama’s urban landscape, as it is a mixed-use tower that offers office, retail, and residential space. The tower has over 500,000 square feet of office space, 20,000 square feet of retail space, and 75 luxury condominiums. The tower also has a six-story atrium lobby, a fitness center, a conference center, and a rooftop terrace. The tower is part of the City Center District, a vibrant and diverse area that includes restaurants, hotels, entertainment venues, and cultural attractions. The Regions-Harbert Plaza is a landmark of Birmingham’s skyline and a symbol of the city’s livability and diversity.
Some notable events or milestones associated with the Regions-Harbert Plaza are:
- The tower was the first building in Alabama to receive the Energy Star certification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, for its energy efficiency and environmental performance.
- The tower was the site of the 1996 Olympic Torch Relay, when the Olympic flame passed through Birmingham on its way to Atlanta, Georgia.
- The tower was the location of the filming of the 2009 movie The Final Destination, where a scene involving a collapsing bridge was shot
Quick overview of The Regions-Harbert Plaza
| Name | Regions-Harbert Plaza |
| Height | 437feet (133m) |
| Floors | 32 |
| Type | Corporate Headquarters |
| Construction Started | 1987 |
| Construction Completed | 1989 |
| Rank in the City | 3rd |
| Owner | S.L. Regions LLC NKP Alabama Owner LLC |
| Developer | Harbert Corporation |
| Address | 1901 6th Avenue North Birmingham, Alabama, USA |
RSA–BankTrust Building
The fourth tallest building in Alabama is the RSA–BankTrust Building. It is also located in Mobile, near the RSA Battle House Tower. The RSA–BankTrust Building is a classic and elegant skyscraper that has a white and beige facade and a dome-shaped roof that resembles a crown. The tower has a height of 129 meters (424feet) and 34 floors, making it the fourth tallest building in the state and the 72nd tallest building in the United States.
The RSA–BankTrust Building was completed in 1965, after two years of construction. It was originally called the First National Bank Building, after the First National Bank of Mobile, the main tenant of the tower. It was later renamed the First Alabama Bank Building, after the First Alabama Bank of Mobile, which merged with the First National Bank of Mobile. In 1995, it was renamed again as the BankTrust Building, after BankTrust, a subsidiary of the Trustmark Corporation, acquired the First Alabama Bank of Mobile. In 2013, it was renamed again as the RSA–BankTrust Building, after the Retirement Systems of Alabama purchased the tower from the Trustmark Corporation.
The RSA–BankTrust Building has a role in the financial sector or local economy, as it is the headquarters of BankTrust, one of the largest banks in the state. BankTrust has over 50 branches and 1,000 employees in Alabama and Florida. BankTrust also supports the local community by sponsoring various events and programs, such as the BankTrust First Light Marathon, the BankTrust Jubilee Run for Cancer, and the BankTrust Mobile Bay LPGA Classic. The RSA–BankTrust Building is a landmark of Mobile’s skyline and a symbol of the city’s financial and civic leadership.
Quick overview of The RSA–BankTrust Building
| Name | RSA–BankTrust Building |
| Height | 424feet (129m) |
| Floors | 34 |
| Type | Corporate Headquarters |
| Construction Started | 1963 |
| Construction Completed | 1965 |
| Rank in the City | 4th |
| Owner | Retirement Systems of Alabama |
| Developer | Kahn and Jacobs, with associate architect Der Scutt |
| Address | 107 St. Francis Street, Mobile, AL 36602 |
AT&T City Center
The third tallest building in Alabama is the AT&T City Center. It is also located in Birmingham, near the Regions Center. The AT&T City Center is a classic and elegant skyscraper that has a white and beige façade and a dome-shaped roof that resembles a crown. The tower has a height of 119 meters (391feet) and 30 floors, making it the third tallest building in the state and the 35th tallest building in the United States.
The AT&T City Center was completed in 1972, the same year as the Regions Center. It was originally called the South Central Bell Building, after the regional telephone company that occupied the tower. It was later renamed the BellSouth Center, after South Central Bell merged with other Bell companies to form BellSouth. In 2007, it was renamed again as the AT&T City Center, after AT&T acquired BellSouth. The tower serves as the regional headquarters of AT&T, one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world. The tower also houses other offices, such as government agencies, media outlets, and non-profit organizations. The tower is a landmark of Birmingham’s skyline and a symbol of the city’s communication and information technology.
Quick overview of The AT&T City Center
| Name | AT&T City Center |
| Height | 390 feet (119 m) |
| Floors | 30 |
| Type | Modern-style office building |
| Construction Started | 1970 |
| Construction Completed | 1972 |
| Rank in the City | 3rd tallest building in Birmingham |
| Owner | VCP City Center |
| Developer | Kahn and Jacobs, with associate architect Der Scutt |
| Address | 600 19th Street North Birmingham, Alabama, USA |
Conclusion
Alabama is a state that has a lot to offer, from its natural beauty, to its cultural diversity, to its economic vitality. Alabama also has a remarkable skyline, with skyscrapers that represent the state’s history and vision. In this essay, we have explored the five tallest buildings in Alabama, and learned about their location, architecture, design, function, and significance. We hope you enjoyed this essay, and we invite you to share your thoughts or questions in the comments section below. Thank you for reading!