WDBJ7 Archive: Construction of the Dominion Tower
In the World of Roanoke's Skyline Icon
By Joe Dashiell
Published: Oct. 4, 2026 at 3:27 PM GMT+2 | Updated: 13 hours ago
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ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - In May of 1990, the Dominion Tower was merely a blueprint. Yet, with a balloon launch instead of a traditional groundbreaking, anticipation soared.
"In Roanoke, Virginia, anything that’s 20 stories high, we call a skyscraper," recalled Mayor Noel Taylor.
While Mayor Taylor focused on the tower's height—320 feet—developer Henry Faison emphasized the financial benefits.
"You get a major investment and I think what that investment does is help the tax base of the city," Faison shared with WDBJ7.
Construction commenced, accompanied by the consistent click of cameras as WDBJ7 photographer Dennis Brown documented every stage from his strategic vantage point near the old N&W Passenger Station.
"The most important thing now, once you’ve got your camera set up is to find your reference points," Brown explained his process. "One is down near the railroad tracks, a white sign on the lower right-hand corner. And I found a smokestack in the horizon on an existing building."
His efforts resulted in a captivating photo essay and time-lapse video chronicling the tower's ascent.
In November 1991, spectators flocked to admire the vista from the tower's 21 st floor—a technically 20 th floor due to the aforementioned superstition of omitting the 13 th floor.
"To me it’s wonderful," gushed Pauline Amos. "It’s beautiful scenery no kidding. I didn’t think we had that much scenery here."
"It’s gorgeous," agreed Janice Johnson, "The view from up here is perfectly beautiful, such a panoramic view of the whole area."
Despite the changes in the banking landscape—from Dominion to First Union, Wachovia, and now Wells Fargo—and new additions to the skyline, including the Taubman Museum of Art, the Dominion Tower remains a cornerstone of Roanoke's downtown business district, 35 years after its completion.