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Skyscrapers in Downtown LA
US Bank Tower Downtown LA
Overview: New York, Chicago, Hong Kong and Shanghai may have a monopoly on the aesthetic cityscape scene. But, take a drive on the 10 Freeway towards or past Downtown Los Angeles at night. The view is exquisite. The Los Angeles cityscape shines in all its glory. The view of Downtown Los Angeles at sunset is amazing too, as it the cluster of high rises appear like a jagged, spread out mountain with gradual slopes.
US Bank Tower
Arguably the most famous – at least distinctive – skyscraper in Los Angeles happens to be the tallest building – the US Bank Tower (633 W 5th St, Los Angeles, CA 90071) . You’ve seen it. The US Bank Tower was blown up in the blockbuster movie Independence Day. The half round and half circular building with the multi-tier exterior was designed by architect I. M. Pei and built in 1989. It’s 1,018 feet high, making it one of the tallest 10 buildings in the world and currently the tallest building west of Chicago, IL. The US Bank Tower has a helipad, helicopter pad, and wears an enormous glass crown, which, lights a light, aqua-ish blue at night.
Westin Bonaventure Hotel Downtown LA
Westin Bonaventure Hotel
Coming in at a close second is the Westin Bonaventure Hotel (404 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90071). Though only a mere 35 stories high (as compared to the US Bank Tower), this mini monolith, built in 1976, appears to be a spattering of cylindrical buildings clustered together. But, the five cylindrical towers all fall under the Bonaventure Hotel name and they are famous for the sheen, mirror exterior and the glass elevators. On top of that, the Westin Bonaventure Hotel has a well-known, swanky revolving restaurant at the top from which the view of Los Angeles is spectacular. The Bonaventure Hotel has been in tons of movies, including True Lies, In the Line of Fire and more.
Gas Company Tower Downtown LA
Gas Company Tower
Next up are the Gas Company Tower (555 W 5th St) and Two Calfornia Plaza (350 S Grand Ave). The home of the Los Angeles Gas Company, the Gas Company Tower is one of the most recognizable buildings in Los Angeles. The recognizable quality can be attributed to the the distinctive glass “flame” crown at the top. It looks more like a card slot but the 52 floor building, built in 1991, attracts everyone’s attention.
Two California Plaza Towers
Usually in the same picture of the Gas Company Tower are the Two California Plaza towers, also known as the Deloitte & Touche buildings. The taller building is tall as the Gas Company Tower and was built almost a year after in 1992. It has a sister building, One California Plaza, which is much shorter. Both California buildings are located, naturally, in the California Plaza, which moonlights as an event center (the summertime brings out musical performers – scheduled performers that is) and has a beautiful water scene and water fountain.
Two California Plaza towers Downtown LA
Aon Center
The Aon Center (707 Wilshire Blvd) skyscraper is Los Angeles’ second tallest building. It’s a rather skinny building and was built in 1973. Other notable skyscrapers in Downtown Los Angeles are Bank of America, the third tallest skyscraper in Los Angeles at 55 floors high, Wells Fargo, one of the tallest buildings in Los Angeles at 54 floors and Citi Group Center (48 floors).
Accessibility: They are all wheelchair accessible.
Getting There: www.ladottransit.com, www.metro.net