Elks Tower

An elegant Italian Renaissance skyscraper at 921 11th Street in downtown Sacramento, completed in 1926 for the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. The 12-story tower was Sacramento's tallest building for several years, and while it has long been overshadowed by modern office towers, its terracotta-clad facade and ornate upper stories remain among the most distinguished examples of 1920s commercial architecture in the city.

The building now contains office space and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The ground-floor lobby, visible through the entrance during business hours, retains its original marble and bronze fittings. The building is at its best in late afternoon light, when the terracotta glows.

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A story
The Elks Tower was completed in 1926 and for several years was the tallest building in Sacramento, its twelve-story Italian Renaissance facade dominating the skyline in the era before the modern office towers. The building's clock tower was a landmark for miles around in the flat Central Valley; locals navigated by it before GPS made such orientation unnecessary.