Gold Dome

For Centenary College's basketball arena, see Gold Dome (Centenary).

For other uses, see Golden Dome (disambiguation).

Citizens State Bank
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
The Gold Dome as viewed from Classen Boulevard
Location	1112 Northwest 23rd, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Built	1958
Architect	Bailey, Bozalis, Dickenson & Roloff; Secor Construction Co.
Architectural style	Modern Movement, Geodesic Dome
NRHP reference No.	03000875
Added to NRHP	September 04, 2003

The Gold Dome is a geodesic dome in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, it is considered to be a major landmark on the famous Route 66. Located at the intersection of North West 23rd Street and North Classen Boulevard.

History

In 1958, the Citizens State Bank began construction. The Gold Dome building was the fifth geodesic dome constructed in the world and the first to be used as a bank. It was described as “one of the nation’s most revolutionary bank designs.” Using the geodesic dome design patented by the famous futurist and architect, Buckminster Fuller the architects for the Citizens State Bank, Bailey, Bozalis, Dickinson, and Roloff of Oklahoma City created this unusual Oklahoma City landmark. The dome is constructed of 625 panels, ranging in size from 7.5 to 11.5 feet (3.5 m) in length, 60 – 70 pounds in weight each, and spanning a diameter of 145 feet (44 m). The interior covers about 27,000 square feet.1 The Gold Dome bank was an approximately $1 million investment.

In 1998, the Oklahoma City Government pursued a new zoning area along 23rd street, including the area where the Gold Dome is located in order to preserve the unique architecture and “commercial nature” of 23rd street. Twenty-third Street is located between the urban conservation districts of the Paseo and Jefferson Park to the north, and the historic preservation districts of Mesta Park and Heritage Hills to the South. The new zoning area would require property owners to gain permission from a design review board before demolishing or modifying buildings in this area.

In July 2001 Bank One, which owned the Gold Dome building, applied to the Urban Design Commission (the result of 1998 efforts) for permission to demolish the building. The bank stated that the structure was too large to serve as a bank and refurbishing it would be too costly (Bank One estimated it would cost roughly $1.7 million). The bank intended to sell the property to Walgreens, which would place the new pharmacy across the street from its competitor, Eckerds.

A group organized to save the Gold Dome, “Citizens for the Golden Dome,” appealed to the Bank One president, urging him not only to save the building in deference to its unique history and contribution to the “urban character” of OKC, but to also apply for landmark zoning from the OKC Historic Preservation and Landmark Commission, and apply for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

In August 2001, the Bank One president offered different alternatives to demolition of the building, including constructing a smaller building on a portion of the property to serve as the Bank One location next door to the gold dome building. The president left a 60-day window for prospective buyers interested in saving the building to come forward, but did not state what would happen if no one offered to buy the building.

The State Historic Preservation Office declared the building eligible for landmark status, although usually reserved for buildings at least 50 years old.

A Bethany company, Blue Stuff, seemed to be the only viable hope for preservation of the Gold Dome. Blue Stuff planned to move into the building, having outgrown its own location. The company’s spokesman did not feel the Gold Dome would be as costly to repair as Bank One claimed.

Efforts to save the Gold Dome included picketing and marches, but in September 2001, a couple extended the efforts by writing a song. Also, an Oklahoma based company, Sonic Drive-In restaurants, offered up a billboard, located across the street from the Gold Dome, to the Citizens for the Golden Dome group. On the billboard was written “Stop the demolition of our historic landmark,” as well as the phone numbers for Bank One and Walgreens.

By December 2001, after several reprieves by the bank president, the time allotted by Bank One for buyers wanting to preserve the Gold Dome to come forward was up. However, the Bank One officials agreed once again to extend the postponement of demolition until January. Bank One stated they were open to other alternatives, but would have to go forward with plans to sell the building to Walgreens if a buyer did not come forward. Bank One even offered to help save the actual dome and have it transplanted to another site.

In July 2002, a signed contract between Bank One and Dr. Irene Lam was disclosed to the public. From the outset, Dr. Lam discussed her desire to preserve the building as a historic landmark and a tribute to the community. Today, the Gold Dome is a business and cultural complex and an event center. Dr. Lam offers use of the Gold Dome's 50 person board room, the lower level lounge and the spacious lobby for private parties. The building is home to the Grapevine Gallery. Additional space has been converted into offices.

In 2003, the Gold Dome was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

External links

• golddomeokc.net - official site
• Google Places