Have you noticed how Los Angeles skyscrapers reach towards the stars?  Like the city’s inhabitants, Los Angeles buildings aim to reach new heights.  The LA skyline forms an important part of the city’s identity.  By looking at the Los Angeles skyline, people can determine where they are in relation to downtown Los Angeles.

Los Angeles skyscrapers are a symbol of hope, power, community and commerce.  When inhabits see the beautiful LA skyline emerge over the horizon, they know they are home.  For visitors, the City of Angels is easily identifiable by the skyscrapers which shape the LA skyline.

The best part of a skyscraper is the opportunity to go to the top and observe the beauty of the city from a great observation deck.  Los Angeles buildings are no exception, and give visitors the opportunity to view the city from a new vantage point.

Los Angeles skyscrapers are difficult to construct.  This is because the city is very close to the San Andreas fault line.  Skyscrapers have to carefully planned and constructed in case of earthquakes.  Nevertheless, there are some Los Angeles skyscrapers. These have been built to rigorous standards.

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The Braly Building was regarded as the first Los Angels tower.  It was completed in 1903.

Let’s have a look at some of the most iconic Los Angeles skyscrapers and explore how they influence the city skyline.

Check out these Los Angeles skyscrapers

U.S. Bank tower

This Los Angeles tower stands at 310m and offers 360 degree views of The LA skyline.  The building was completed in 1989.  The observation deck was opened in June 2016, after floors 69 and 70 were renovated.  This is the only Los Angeles building with a 360 degree observation deck.  The deck is the tallest open air deck in the state.

Visitors to this Los Angeles building will also have the opportunity to take part in the Skyslide.  Visitors can enjoy a thrilling ride in a 45m glass chute which has been created on the skyscraper’s exterior.  The chute has been placed at 1000ft above street level, so it is not for the feint hearted

Wilshire Grand Center

The tallest of LA’s skyscrapers, this tower is built of steel and glass.  This LA building is the tallest building in the US, West of  the Mississippi.  It is 73 floors high, which is nott the largest number amongst LA skyscrapers, but each floor has a great deal of height.

The Wilshire Grand stands out on the Los Angeles skyline not only based on  height but also on design.  It uses classic features such as marble and glazed terra-cotta combined with modern materials such as concrete and steel for a unique look.  The building is owned by Korean Air, and has been designed in the shape of an aircraft wing.

Los Angeles city hall

Up until 1966, the City Hall was The tallest building in Los Angeles, standing out on the downtown LA skyline for over four decades.

This was because in 1905, LA created an ordinance that no building could exceed 150 ft.  This gave LA a very low profile skyline for a great many years.  City Hall, at 450 feet, was three times the height of the competition

Aon center

The Aon Tower was completed in 1973 and is often seen to be one of the most under appreciated of the LA skyscrapers.  This LA building is not quite 50 years old, leaving it just short of ‘old LA’ heritage status which is often regarded with nostalgia.

The building is placed on the flattened Bunker Hill in the financial district.  Designed byCharles Luckman, a former partner of William Pereira, there is no doubt that the building has exquisite architectural design.  When built, it was the tallest of the LA skyscrapers.  Throughout the world it was only the New York and Chicago skyscrapers which offered any competition.  It has 62 stories and was the tallest building West of the Mississippi until 1982.  It was the tallest of the LA skyscrapers until 1989 when it was defeated in height by the U.S. Bank Tower.

Two California plaza

This 230m tower was build in downtown Los Angeles in the Bunker Hill District.  It is part of the California Plaza Project and has a unique companion, One California Plaza.

The Plaza has an amazing 1,5 acre water court and is also home to the museum of modern art as well as the Colburn School of Performing Arts.  The Omni Hotel forms part of the Plaza as well.

Gas company tower

At 228,3m, Gas Company Tower has a presence to add to the LA skyline.  This building has 52 floors and can be found on DTLA skyline.  This LA tower can be found on Bunker Hill between Olive and Fifth Streets.  South California Gas Company occupy this building.  It is also home to Sidley Austin and Arent Fox

Bank of America center (Los Angeles)

At 224,03m, this LA tower stands out against the skyline.  Formerly known as Bank of America Plaza, the tower has 55 stories and has been constructed in Bunker Hill in downtown LA.  It is the 92nd tallest building in the USA.  Despite not being the tallest LA building, it has been assessed as having the highest value.

When it was constructed in 1974, the building was unique because each side represented true north, east, south and west.  The building has been occupied by Capital Group Companies, Security Pacific National Bank, and Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton.

777 Tower

Also known as Pelli Tower, this Los Angeles building is 221 m high and has 52 levels.  The tower was designed by César Pelli and is positioned in the Financial District, alongside the 7+ Fig Shopping Center.  It adds a marvelous presence to the DTLA skyline.

It has a silver and glass exterior and a 3 story marble lobby.  Owner, Brookfield Office Properties, purchased the building from Maguire Properties

Wells Fargo tower

The twin towers of the Wells Fargo Center add to the Downtown Los Angeles skyline.  The complex has been constructed on Bunker Hill and has a North and a South tower.  The two buildings are joined together by an atrium.  The Wells Fargo building is 200m and the tallest building in the complex.

Wells Fargo Center opened in 1983 and was nicknamed ‘The Cracker Tower’ after Cracker Bank in San Francisco.  Cracker Bank merged with Wells Fargo.  The building has 54 floors and is ranked 7th tallest amongst Los Angeles skyscrapers

Sun America Center

Sun America Center was completed in 1990.  It stands at 163m and was build in Century City.  It is the third tallest Tower in Century City and the 20th tallest amongst Los Angeles skyscrapers.  Visitors can park in an attached 8 level parking garage.  Jonson Fain designed this LA building and won the BOMA International 2001/2002 Office Building award for Sun America  Center.

TCW tower

At 157.58m, TCW Tower is smaller than many Los Angeles skyscrapers.  At the moment it is rated the 19th tallest Los Angeles building.  On completion it won the ‘Outstanding Structural Design Award’ from the Tall Building Design council.  This LA tower was completed in 1990 and was designed by Albert C. Martin & Associates

The Bonaventure hotel

This LA tower was a futuristic building opened in 1976.  Although it has its critics, and some say that its futuristic style has become outdated, there is no denying it adds a unique appeal the LA skyline.  No other Los Angeles skyscrapers can compare!

Bonaventure Hotel has a six-story atrium, glassy cylindrical lifts and will give you a scenic view of the city.  Post modern in design, the hotel remains a favorite amongst photographers and location scouts.  Not everyone may understand its design but there is no denying the hotel holds visual appeal.

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