The First National Center is connected to adjacent buildings in the downtown area via the Oklahoma City Underground series of tunnels and elevated walkways.

By January 1931, the site was clear, and construction on the tower began February 1 and was completed by November of the same year.

[5] Among many businesses of early day Oklahoma City, the Beacon Club was once located at the top of the building.

Boatmen's was later acquired by NationsBank – now Bank of America – and retains the Leadership Square headquarters for their Oklahoma City operations.

The famous "Great Banking Hall" was, and continues to be, used for various social events, galas, balls, and proms.

[8] On September 3, 2015, U.S. Federal Judge Stephen P. Friot ordered that the building be placed in receivership and for air conditioning and elevator service be restored as soon as possible.

[9] In January 2017, the sale was finalized to local developers Gary Brooks and Charlie Nicholas for $23 million with plans to restore for use as a hotel, apartments, and offices.

[10] The cost to renovate and remodel the building into 146 hotel rooms,[11] 193 apartments, retail and restaurant space, and to convert the 1957 and 1972 14-story additions into a 700-space parking garage was more than $275 million.

First National Center was built with an Art Deco, Neoclassical style inside and out, featuring polished aluminum, granite, glass and several varieties of marble from around the world.

There have been times when the lighting has changed – after 9/11, the setbacks were lit in red, white and blue tiers – which is still done on July 4.

This is no longer done due to the fact that later construction obscures the First National from many views, but it has been taken up by the SandRidge and Chase Towers.

The Weary & Alford Company of Chicago designed First National Center, as well as other bank buildings around the country.

Murals depicting Oklahoma's history in the four corners of the banking lobby were painted by Chicago artist Edgar Spier Cameron.