Jefferson Standard Building, Greensboro

The Jefferson Standard Building stands tall as an iconic landmark in Greensboro, soaring to a height of 233 feet (71 meters). Completed in 1923, this majestic skyscraper served as the headquarters for the esteemed Jefferson Standard Life Insurance Company, now recognized as the Lincoln Financial Group. Boasting an impressive 18 floors, the building held the distinction of being the tallest in North Carolina until 1927, when it was surpassed by the Nissen Building in Winston-Salem. Moreover, during its heyday, it proudly held the title of the tallest structure between the vibrant cities of Washington, D.C., and Atlanta, Georgia, solidifying its status as a prominent fixture on the southeastern skyline.

Designed by the acclaimed architect Charles C. Hartmann of New York City, the Jefferson Standard Building is a masterpiece of architectural ingenuity and innovation. Julian Price, the visionary president of Jefferson Standard Life Insurance, entrusted Hartmann with the task of creating a headquarters that would reflect the company's prestige and values. Remarkably, Price financed the entire construction himself, adhering to his principle of avoiding debt. Inspired by the Equitable Building, the design of the Jefferson Standard Building incorporates a U-shape layout, facilitating the penetration of natural light and fresh air throughout the interior spaces.

The exterior facade of the Jefferson Standard Building is a captivating fusion of architectural styles, blending elements of Neo-Gothic, Neo-Classical, and Art Deco influences. Constructed primarily of terra cotta and granite, the building exudes timeless elegance and sophistication. Notable features include a terra cotta tile facade adorned with Beaux-Arts and Romanesque motifs, as well as a striking bust of Thomas Jefferson, after whom the company was named. Symbolic Buffalo nickels flank the ground floor windows, serving as emblems of thrift and economy.

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

Greensboro Introduction Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Greensboro, North Carolina

Create Your Own Walk in Greensboro

Creating your own self-guided walk in Greensboro 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.

Greensboro Downtown Statues and Monuments Walk

The birthplace of renowned author O Henry, Greensboro, North Carolina, also holds the distinction of harboring the genesis of the American Civil Rights Movement. Both these facts are commemorated in public artwork. Other esteemed personalities and notable chapters in the city's history also find reflection in a plethora of monuments and statues throughout Downtown.

Among these landmarks,... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles

Greensboro Introduction Walking Tour

Before the arrival of Europeans in this part of North Carolina, the present-day area of Greensboro was inhabited by the indigenous (Siouan-speaking) Saura people, who called it "an unbroken forest with thick undergrowth of huckleberry bushes, that bore a finely flavored fruit."

Quaker migrants from Pennsylvania, by way of Maryland, arrived here in about 1750. They bought land from... view more

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

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