The Coolest Buildings In Texas

Whether it was built in the 1700s or it’s a new sustainable building constructed in recent years, Texas is home to a great deal of beautiful architecture. Here’s some of the most notable buildings in the state.

1. The Texas Capitol Building

Building

The Texas Capitol Building is the sixth tallest state capitol building, taller than the United States Capitol. The building was constructed in the late 1800s and a 75 million dollar underground extension was added in 1993. The exterior is currently undergoing renovations for improvement and is a must-see when traveling to Texas.

2. Frost Bank Tower Austin

Building

Austin’s Frost Bank Tower is the 3rd tallest in the city with one of the most unique designs; its modern style with distinctive cuts make this building stand out from the rest of Austin’s skyscrapers. Designed by Duda/Paine Architects and HKS, Inc. the blue colored glass is the same used in the Reuters Building in New York City.

3. Mission San Jose

Building, Church

Mission San Jose is considered the ‘queen’ of all the San Antonio missions. It was once the heart of a thriving Spanish community established in the early 1700s, when the church’s beauty attracted people from all over –a tourist trend that continues today.

4. The Alamo

Historical Landmark

The Alamo in San Antonio, Texas. The Alamo looms large in Texas history

The Alamo represents Texas’ independence from Mexico and is now a significant National Historic Landmark. The historical mission is today fairly similar to the original. The walls and buildings around it were built later in the mid-1900s but the actual Alamo building was restored with the original limestone exterior and transformed into a museum. Great care is still taken in order to preserve the building for years to come.

5. Reunion Tower

Building

The Reunion Tower in Dallas was built in 1978 and now stands out as the most prominent building in the city. Its globe at the top of the building holds 259 custom LED lights that illuminate with different colors and patterns, often reflecting a special event or holiday.

6. The Bishop's Palace

Building

The Bishops Palace exterior in the Victorian-style with turrets and balconies

One of the most beautiful homes in Galveston is Bishop’s Palace built in the early 1890s for local lawyer Walter Gresham and his wife Josephine Gresham. The house has withstood a hurricane and several severe weather patterns. It later became the residence of the Bishop of the Catholic Docese of Galveston, Christopher E. Byrne. The house is now owned by the Galveston Historical Foundation. You can take private tours and admire everything about the house from the stained glass windows to the intricate carvings made when the house was first built.

7. Perot Museum of Nature and Science

Building, Museum, Park, Theater

Perot Museum of Nature and Science

Thom Mayne, a winner of the Pritzker Architecture Prize Laureate designed the astoundingly beautiful Perot Museum of Nature and Science. The building is cube-shaped with the idea of bringing together the building and the environment. It’s a prime example of sustainability with a full acre of green-landscaped roof that hosts native grasses and plants that will thrive in the Texas climate over time.

Perot Museum of Nature and Science, 2201 N Field St, Dallas, TX, USA

Perot Museum of Nature and Science © Forgemind Architecture/Flickr

8. Kimbell Art Museum

Building, Museum

The Kimbell Art Museum has a permanent collection of 350 pieces of art

The Kimbell Art Museum uses natural light to properly exhibit the works of art, as intended by Architect Louis Kahn who designed the museum who wanted light to play a large role in the exhibition process. The architect was also inspired by Roman architecture and built the concrete structure with arches and white oak.

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