Begich Towers: The Town Under One Roof

The Begich Towers is a unique residential building located in Whittier, Alaska. Known as "the town under one roof," this 14-story building houses nearly the entire population of Whittier, which is a small town with about 200 residents. Built in 1957, the building was originally designed for the U.S. Army as part of a military complex but was later converted into civilian housing.

Begich Towers includes apartments, a post office, grocery store, police station, clinic, and other facilities, making it a self-contained community. Due to its isolated location and the extreme weather conditions in the area, residents rely heavily on the amenities within the building, reducing the need to travel outside frequently. Whittier itself is known for its heavy rainfall, strong winds, and the fact that it is only accessible by a single tunnel, boat, or small plane.

The building stands as a fascinating example of how architecture can adapt to meet the unique needs of its environment and the community it serves.

Nestled on the shores of Prince William Sound, in the remote town of Whittier, Alaska, stands one of the most unusual residential buildings in the world: the Begich Towers. Often referred to as "the town under one roof," this 14-story building is home to nearly the entire population of Whittier, which hovers around 200 residents. The Begich Towers is more than just a residential complex; it’s a community hub that encapsulates the unique lifestyle of this isolated Alaskan town.

A Brief History

During World War II, the U.S. Army built a military harbor and a logistics base in present-day Whittier. After the war, the military planned a large complex of 12 multistory towers.

The building now known as Begich Towers was the first of these buildings. Designed in 1953 to host the headquarters of the US Army Corps of Engineers, it was named the Hodge Building in memory of Colonel William Walter Hodge, commander of the 93rd Engineer Regiment on the Alcan Highway. Construction shortly began on another of the towers: the Buckner Building 660 yards (600 m) to the northeast. Both opened in 1957, and were used by the Army until the early 1960s; the Buckner Building has been abandoned since 1966. None of the other planned towers were built.

In 1964, the area was hit by a tsunami caused by the Good Friday earthquake, but the damage was not extensive. The Hodge Building was transformed into a public building with several units, including the headquarters of the major institutions and commercial services of Whittier.

In 1972, the building was renamed Begich Towers Condominium, in memory of Nick Begich, a congressman from Alaska who disappeared in the area and is presumed to have died in a plane crash. In 1974, the Begich Towers Condominium Association of Apartment Owners Inc. became the official manager of the entire structure.

Most of the community and its services are inside or connected to the building, so residents can remain inside for long periods of time, which can be useful during inclement weather.

Life Inside the Towers

Completed in 1957, the building has a rectangular plan and a flat roof. It is 14 floors high and is made up of three connected towers. Gaps of 7 or 8 inches allow the buildings to sway under wind or earthquakes. The north side has two protruding modules that form two square towers. Inside, sets of branched corridors and elevators allow residents access to all areas of the complex. The school is connected to the towers via a tunnel. Apartments are available in 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom configurations.

In addition to the residential areas, the building contains the basic services for condo owners and guests: a post office, a general store and a laundromat. There is also a small Baptist church, two floors of bed-and-breakfast daily rentals, a conference room, and an indoor playground at the school. 

What makes the Begich Towers truly unique is how it combines nearly every aspect of daily life within a single structure. Inside its walls, you’ll find:

• Residences: The building contains around 150 residential units, ranging from small studios to larger apartments. Most residents of Whittier live here, sharing this vertical neighborhood.

• Essential Services: Begich Towers houses essential services including the town’s post office, a police station, a health clinic, and the city government offices. This setup reduces the need for residents to brave the often extreme weather conditions to access these services.

• Amenities: Within the building, there’s also a grocery store, a laundromat, a church, and even a bed-and-breakfast for visitors. There's a tunnel connecting the building to the local school, ensuring that students don't have to face harsh weather on their way to class.

• Community Spaces: The building hosts several communal areas, including a recreation room and a small meeting area where residents can gather for events or socializing.

The Challenges of Living in Begich Towers

During the U.S. military's tenure in Whittier, all Whittier buildings had their hydronic heating needs fulfilled by a single heating plant. Following the Army's departure, each building had to get its own system, including the Begich Towers, which had a pair of boilers in a side building.

As of 2015, only one of the two boilers serving Begich Towers was functional, but it experienced major maintenance-related issues almost daily. The problems were traced back to the hydronic loop using water, which was susceptible to freezing, instead of a mixture of domestic water and glycol, which lowers the freezing point and prevents pipes from bursting due to ambient temperature drops below 0 °C (32 °F).

As of 2016, funding for repairs relating to maintaining mechanical systems and renovating the façade came with a $3 million loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

As of 2021, all four elevators in the building require a major overhaul, with repair or replacement estimates reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars. 

Living in Begich Towers comes with its unique set of challenges and quirks. Whittier is known for its severe weather, with frequent heavy rainfall, snow, and powerful winds that can reach up to 60 mph. Because of these conditions, the building’s self-contained nature is not just a convenience but a necessity.

The town itself is accessible only by a single, one-lane tunnel that runs through a mountain and is shared with a railway. This tunnel, the longest highway tunnel in North America, is open to vehicle traffic in one direction at a time, alternating every half hour. It can close in extreme weather, which can leave the town completely cut off for short periods.

Despite the isolation, residents have developed a strong sense of community. The unique lifestyle fosters close-knit relationships, as neighbors are also friends, classmates, and colleagues. In many ways, Begich Towers operates like a small village, with the benefits and challenges of living in close quarters with the entire community.

The Future of Begich Towers

Whittier's Begich Towers stands as a testament to human resilience and adaptability. While the building is aging, there have been ongoing efforts to maintain and improve its facilities. Some residents have expressed a desire for modernization and expansion of amenities to better serve the town’s unique needs.

The story of Begich Towers is one of community and ingenuity. It highlights how architecture can be adapted to meet the specific needs of a remote and isolated population. For visitors, a trip to Whittier offers a glimpse into a lifestyle that’s as far removed from the hustle of urban living as one can imagine, set against the stunning backdrop of Alaska’s wild, untamed beauty.

Official Website  -  https://www.begichtowers.com