The UT Tower is Getting a Facelift

By Tate Chapman

Reporting Texas

A photo of the UT Tower in Austin, Texas, on Oct. 29, 2024. (Tate Chapman/Reporting Texas TV)

The iconic Tower at the University of Texas will begin undergoing restoration to its original 1937 glory. 

The Tower will not only receive an exterior restoration but also future interior renovations.

Starting in the summer of 2027, the Tower, a common backdrop for senior pictures, will be obstructed by scaffolding and a decorative covering.

Project manager, Justin Dothard for Campus Operations said the restoration on the north side of the building will begin in a couple of days.

“It’s really from the Summer of 2025 until the Summer of 2027, where probably, optically, the Tower is most kind of enshrouded by scaffolding,” said Dothard. 

The Tower restoration has caused photographer Regina Blancas to have an influx of business. She said students from the graduating class of 2026 and 2027 are taking their pictures now. 

While it is not ideal for some students to take their pictures early, the Tower is the most iconic graduation picture spot. Blancas said she will have to pivot and take grad photos elsewhere in the future. 

“I have cap and gowns they can wear and then in two years when that’s all knee deep in construction, we’ll just focus on everything else. But they have that covered, and that’s a way to pivot the field. That’s really the only option they have because it’s going to be entirely too much for all us photographers to edit out such a huge construction project,” said Blancas.

The UT Tower, which was designed by architect Paul Philippe Cret, is an emblem of the university. 

UT Architecture Professor Cleary said the tower should be treated as such. “What that means in a practical scheme is, don’t mess it up, restore rather than replace,” said Cleary.

Restoration is different from a typical renovation. This means that there is a lot of stripping and cleaning involved rather than painting on top of what is already there. It requires more patience and handling the building delicately.

Courtesy: The University of Texas at Austin

“We will get through at least this year’s commencement before anything happens on the south side, but yeah it’s a trade off. There’s no question that it has to happen,” said Cleary.