This year marks the 100-year anniversary of Sacramento’s iconic Elks Tower, a landmark that has stood tall through a century of change in the city’s downtown core. As Sacramento has evolved, the tower has remained a constant reminder that thoughtful architecture can be both timeless and resilient.
For Nacht & Lewis, the Elks Tower represents more than an architectural achievement. It represents the beginning of a legacy rooted in collaboration, integrity, and people-centered design.
The Partnership That Started It All
Before the Elks Tower competition, two separate architectural firms existed in Sacramento: E.C. Hemmings (1910–1922) and Leonard Starks (1921–1922). Each firm had already established an impressive body of work and a growing reputation for quality design. Notable projects by E.C. Hemmings included the Mohr & York Building, the PG&E Headquarters, and the Boulevard Park Fire House. Leonard Starks’ early portfolio included the Fresno Bee Building, the Fox Senator Theater, and the W.I. Elliot Building.
Initially, Hemmings and Starks pursued the Elks Building separately. However, they combined forces, forming a partnership that would ultimately win the project and lay the foundation for a lasting architectural legacy. What won the competition was not solely the design itself. In fact, the original winning concept looked very different from the tower we recognize today, leaning more heavily into an Italian Renaissance architectural style before evolving into the final design. What truly distinguished the team was the architects themselves: their collaborative spirit, their relationship with the client, and their shared vision for the future of Sacramento.
A Building Defined by Its People
While materials, detailing, and aesthetics shape the visual identity of a building, it is ultimately the people behind the work who form its true foundation. The Elks Tower stands as a testament to the importance of partnership between architect and owner, a relationship built on trust, collaboration, and shared purpose. That philosophy continues to define Nacht & Lewis today.
Our core values remain deeply aligned with the same principles that helped bring the Elks Tower to life a century ago:
- Empower the Team
- Deliver Excellence
- Cultivate Optimism
- Guided by Integrity
- Design Thoughtfully
These values are not simply statements, they are reflected in the way we approach our work, our clients, and our communities.
A Lasting Presence in Sacramento’s Skyline
Over the last century, Sacramento’s skyline has transformed dramatically. Yet the Elks Tower has remained an enduring part of the city’s architectural identity, resilient through decades of growth, change, and reinvention.
In many ways, the building’s story mirrors the story of Nacht & Lewis itself. As the firm has grown alongside the city, our commitment to thoughtful design and meaningful relationships has remained constant.
The Elks Tower is part of Sacramento’s rich architectural legacy, and it is also part of ours. One hundred years later, it continues to remind us that great buildings are never created by drawings alone. They are built through people, partnership, and a shared belief in creating something lasting for generations to come.
Written by: Anthony Arroyo and Jackie Williams
