You’ve seen it. If you’ve ever driven into Dallas after the sun goes down, it’s the first thing that hits you. That massive, glowing green silhouette cutting through the Texas sky. Some people call it the "Jolly Green Giant," while others just know it as the green building. But officially, we’re talking about Bank of America Plaza, and it has held the title of the tallest building in Dallas TX since Ronald Reagan was in his first term.
It's a beast. Standing at 921 feet, it doesn't just dominate the skyline; it is the skyline. But honestly, there is a lot more going on with this 72-story monolith than just its height. As of 2026, the building is entering a wild new chapter that most people didn't see coming.
The Stats: Just How Big Is It?
Let’s talk numbers, but I’ll keep it quick. The Bank of America Plaza is the third-tallest building in the entire state of Texas. It’s only beaten out by two giants down in Houston—the JPMorgan Chase Tower and the Wells Fargo Plaza.
In Dallas, it’s king.
The roof sits at 915 feet, but the architectural tip reaches that famous 921-foot mark. Inside, you’ve got roughly 1.9 million square feet of office space. That is a staggering amount of carpet and cubicles. It was completed in 1985, a time when Dallas was booming and everyone wanted to build bigger, louder, and shinier than the guy next door.
Why is the Tallest Building in Dallas TX Green?
The green lights aren't just for show—well, they are, but there's a story there. Originally, the developers wanted to build two identical towers. They even had plans for a massive hotel to sit between them. But then the mid-80s oil and real estate crash hit Texas like a freight train.
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The second tower? Scrapped. The hotel? Never happened.
To make the single tower stand out, they installed two miles of green argon lighting. It was a bold move. It made the building look like a 1980s sci-fi prop, and it worked. In 2013, they finally swapped the old argon tubes for LEDs, which allowed them to change colors for holidays or Mavs games, but the "Classic Green" remains the default.
The 2026 Shift: It’s Not Just for Offices Anymore
Here is the thing: the world has changed. Big banks don’t need 72 floors of office space like they used to. In a move that shocked the local real estate scene, Bank of America announced they were moving their main Dallas hub to a shiny new tower overlooking Klyde Warren Park.
So, what happens to the tallest building in Dallas TX when its namesake tenant leaves?
A $409 million makeover. That's what.
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Developers Mike Hoque and Mike Ablon have stepped in with a plan that sounds like something out of a futuristic movie. They aren't tearing it down—obviously—but they are gutting parts of it.
- A High-End Hotel: They are converting floors 23 through 32 into a four-star luxury hotel with 280 rooms.
- A Penthouse Restaurant: Floor 69 is slated to become a destination restaurant. Imagine eating a steak while looking down at the rest of the city.
- The Glass Lobby: They are building a brand-new steel and glass structure at the base to serve as a proper entrance for hotel guests.
It’s a massive gamble. Turning a 1980s office fortress into a "vibrant community-focused facility" (as the City Council puts it) is no small feat. But with over $100 million in tax incentives backing the project, the city is betting big that this skyscraper can stay relevant for another 40 years.
The Rivals: Who Else is in the Top Five?
While Bank of America Plaza is the tallest building in Dallas TX, it isn't the only one worth looking at. The Dallas skyline is surprisingly dense.
- Renaissance Tower (886 feet): This is the one with the "X" braces on the side and the spires on top. It actually used to be shorter, but they added the spires in the 80s just to keep up with the competition.
- Comerica Bank Tower (787 feet): A classic postmodern look with barrel-vaulted arches. It feels very "old money" compared to the neon green of its neighbor.
- JPMorgan Chase Tower (738 feet): Famous for the giant "keyhole" hole in the middle of the building.
- Fountain Place (720 feet): My personal favorite. It’s all glass and looks like a giant prism. Depending on where you stand, it looks like a completely different shape.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Dallas Skyline
People often assume Reunion Tower—the one with the big ball on top—is the tallest. It’s not. Not even close. It stands at about 561 feet. It looks taller because it sits off by itself near the highway, but the Bank of America Plaza towers over it by more than 350 feet.
Another misconception? That Dallas is still in a "skyscraper race."
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Actually, the trend in 2026 has shifted toward mid-rise, mixed-use buildings in places like Uptown and the North Quarter. While Austin is currently building the "Waterline" tower (which will eventually be the tallest in Texas at over 1,000 feet), Dallas seems content with its current height for now. The focus here is on reusing what we already have.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Visit
If you want to experience the tallest building in Dallas TX, you can't just walk in and go to the top floor—at least not yet. Since it’s mostly private offices, security is tight.
However, with the new redevelopment hitting its stride in 2026:
- Keep an eye on the opening date for the Floor 69 restaurant. It’s going to be the most sought-after reservation in North Texas once it opens.
- If you’re a photographer, the best view of the building isn't from downtown. Head over to the Trinity Overlook Park or the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge at sunset. The reflection of the green lights on the Trinity River is unbeatable.
- Check out the Belo Garden Park right next door. That park exists because the original plans for a second "twin tower" were canceled. It’s a peaceful spot that literally grew out of a failed construction plan.
The Bank of America Plaza is a survivor. It made it through the 80s crash, the 2008 recession, and the work-from-home revolution. By turning itself into a hotel and dining destination, it's making sure that even if it's no longer the newest kid on the block, it will always be the most iconic part of the Dallas horizon.