Blueprints of a Boomtown: The Philcade's Rise and Legacy
Standing proudly at the corner of 5th Street & South Boston Avenue in downtown Tulsa, the Philcade Building is more than just an architectural treasure—it's a symbol of the city’s oil-fueled dreams and Art Deco brilliance. Commissioned by oil tycoon Waite Phillips and constructed between 1929 and 1931, this 13-story landmark is a masterclass in Zigzag Art Deco design, seamlessly blending grandeur, craftsmanship, and innovation.
A Building Born from Ambition
In the late 1920s, Tulsa was booming. Oil wealth was transforming the skyline, and Waite Phillips had already made his mark with the Gothic Philtower across the street. But Phillips wasn’t done. He envisioned a companion structure that would complement, not compete. Enter the Philcade—conceived initially as a modest six-story arcade, but expanded mid-construction to a full-fledged high-rise.
Phillips enlisted architect Leon B. Senter, who delivered an H-shaped tower with a T-shaped retail arcade on the ground floor. Construction began in 1929 and continued through the Great Depression, a testament to Phillips' financial strength and vision. By 1931, the Philcade opened as one of Tulsa’s first fully air-conditioned office buildings, a pioneering move that elevated its status.
Zigzag Meets Egyptian: The Art Deco Flourish
From the moment you approach the Philcade, its unique style becomes clear. The first three floors are clad in intricately carved buff-glazed terra cotta, showcasing stylized floral motifs, zigzags, and even camouflaged animals nestled in foliage. Egyptian Revival columns flank the main entrances, complete with papyrus-styled capitals and Phillips' "WP" monogram etched above in a garland of vines and fruit.
Look closely and you’ll spot birds, lizards, and other creatures dancing across the facade—a whimsical Art Deco touch that rewards the attentive pedestrian. Above this decorative base, the tower rises in a rhythmic pattern of buff brick and vertical terra cotta bands, culminating in a stepped parapet that hints at ancient temples and modern ambition alike.
Inside the Golden Arcade
Step inside, and the real magic begins. The Philcade’s ground floor lobby is a jaw-dropping tribute to Deco elegance: St. Genevieve marble walls, gold-leafed friezes, hand-painted geometric ceilings in rich jewel tones, and original bronze chandeliers that still glint under soft light.
The T-shaped arcade once housed Tulsa’s first indoor shopping mall, and today it serves as the home of the Oil Capital Pop Up Museum.
One surprising detail? The ceiling you see today is actually the second version. Phillips disliked the initial Renaissance-style mural and ordered it replaced with the bold Deco design we admire today—a rare case of gilding the ceiling not once, but twice.
A Home in the Sky
In 1937, Phillips took his creation to new heights—literally. He added a private penthouse atop the Philcade, enclosing the building’s light court and constructing a 14th floor hidden from street view. The work was carried out by local contractor Grimshaw Construction, who had earned a reputation for skillfully expanding existing structures during Tulsa’s building boom. Grimshaw’s team not only constructed the steel and concrete framework for the penthouse but also retrofitted the interior mechanical systems to accommodate Phillips’ new residential vision. This sky-high residence featured 23 rooms, elegant paneling, salvaged furnishings from his former mansion (now the Philbrook Museum), and Tulsa’s first centralized air-conditioning system. A tunnel beneath 5th Street even connected the Philcade to the Philtower, offering security and convenience.
Resilience and Restoration
Over the decades, the Philcade has changed hands—from housing Standard Oil of Indiana to serving as Amoco's data center—but its Deco charm has never faded. Thanks to careful stewardship by preservation-minded owners like Price Family Properties, the Philcade remains remarkably intact. It's now a proud contributor to the Oil Capital Historic District and a jewel in Tulsa’s Deco crown.
Today, visitors can explore its restored arcade, admire original details, and experience the building's rich legacy through rotating exhibits and guided tours. Whether you're an architecture buff or a curious traveler, the Philcade offers a golden window into a glamorous era of Tulsa's past.
Sources: Tulsa Preservation Commission, Tulsa History Museum, Tulsa Tours, National Register of Historic Places, Tulsa Art Deco by Hoppen, Tulsa World (1931–1937), and Journal Record archives.
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