Security Building, Phoenix

Security Building, Phoenix

The Security Building is a wonderful old historic location in downtown Phoenix. It also represents another triumph for the efforts of the city to make use of their historic buildings. Constructed in 1928, it is located at the intersection of Central Avenue and Van Buren Street. The easiest way to find this location is by looking for the Chase Tower, which is Arizona’s tallest building. The two places are next to one another.

In 1928, the Security Building used to be the tallest structure in the state, so it was quite impressive for its day. The place was built by the Dwight B. Heard Investment Company. Heard was one of the most successful businessmen in Arizona, owning an investment company, a cattle company, and the Arizona Republican newspaper. Originally, this was the premiere office building for produce growers and law firms in Phoenix.

If you go to visit, make sure you look for the glass oval which sits atop the brick exterior of the building. At one time, it shot a beam of light into the sky that could be seen for 30 miles away on a clear night.

The Security Building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Phoenix. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Security Building on Map

Sight Name: Security Building
Sight Location: Phoenix, USA (See walking tours in Phoenix)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Phoenix, Arizona

Create Your Own Walk in Phoenix

Create Your Own Walk in Phoenix

Creating your own self-guided walk in Phoenix is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Downtown Historical Landmarks Walking Tour

Downtown Historical Landmarks Walking Tour

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The latter, known as "The Psycho" Building, gained fame for its cameo in Alfred...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Arizona State University (ASU) Walking Tour

Arizona State University (ASU) Walking Tour

Founded in 1885 by the 13th Arizona Territorial Legislature, Arizona State University (ASU) is one of the largest public universities by enrollment in the United States. ASU has nearly 150,000 students attending classes across its five campuses and four regional learning centers throughout the state.

The university's main campus at Tempe Arizona, east of downtown Phoenix, is an attraction...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Phoenix Introduction Walking Tour

Phoenix Introduction Walking Tour

Phoenix is the largest city in Arizona and the central city in a larger metropolitan area known as the Valley of the Sun. The city was first settled as an agricultural community where the Salt and Gila Rivers met. An intricate canal system keeps this hot corner of the Sonoran Desert fertile. In the early days, the city's economy was based on the "Five Cs"—citrus, cotton, copper,...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles