The University of Texas Tower

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If you look toward the center of the University of Texas at Austin campus, your eyes will inevitably land on its most iconic landmark. The Main Building and its soaring Tower, which opened in 1937, were designed by architect Paul Philippe Cret. Cret envisioned a style he called New Classicism, replacing the old Victorian-style building with a bold, modern tower positioned at the center of four grand malls.

Built in two phases, the structure was designed to house university administration and the library, with magnificent reading rooms surrounding the central library stacks. Over the decades, this monument has stood as a symbol of bold academic ambition, though it has also witnessed tragedy, including the painful 1966 shooting from its observation deck. To ensure this beloved landmark continues to shine, the university system approved a seventy-million-dollar exterior restoration plan, expected to be completed in 2027.

It remains the beating heart of the campus, a towering testament to architectural vision that continues to define the Austin skyline.

Updated June 2026