Blackstone Building (Tyler, Texas)

The Blackstone Building, an Art Deco masterpiece constructed in 1938, is a historic landmark in Tyler, Texas. Designed by architect Preston M. Geren, this six-story structure is one of only two Art Deco office buildings in the area and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002. Originally financed by local businessman Edmond P. McKenna to meet the demands of the East Texas oil boom, it served as a hub for various oil companies and professionals. The building also functioned as the Union Bus Terminal until the 1950s. While the adjacent Blackstone Hotel was demolished in 1985, the Blackstone Building remains in use today, housing office spaces including the Tyler Chamber of Commerce. With a construction cost of approximately $100,000, it once accommodated around 15 businesses related to the oil industry, making it a significant site for both tourists and researchers interested in the region's economic history.