Taylor Scott
The US Bank Tower, originally known as the Library Tower, is a 1,018-foot (310.3 m) skyscraper in downtown Los Angeles, California. Construction began in 1987, and it was completed in 1989. The tower was designed by Henry N. Cobb of Pei Cobb Freed & Partners and cost $350 million to build. It is one of the most recognisable buildings in Los Angeles and has been featured in numerous Hollywood films, including the 1996 movie Independence Day.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Downtown Los Angeles, California |
| Construction Started | 1987 |
| Completed | 1989 |
| Height | 1,018 feet (310.3 m) |
| Number of Stories | 73 above ground, 2 parking levels below ground |
| Cost | $350 million |
| Architect | Henry N. Cobb of Pei Cobb Freed & Partners |
| Previous Names | Library Tower, First Interstate Bank World Center |
| Current Name | U.S. Bank Tower (since 2003) |
| Features | Glass crown at the top, observation deck, 71Above restaurant, slide (removed in 2021) |
| Notable Appearances | Films such as "Independence Day" (1996) and "San Andreas"; video games like Grand Theft Auto V |
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What You'll Learn
Construction began in 1987 and was completed in 1989
Construction of the US Bank Tower began in 1987 and was completed in 1989. The skyscraper, which is 1,018 feet (310.3 m) tall, was designed by Henry N. Cobb of the architectural firm Pei Cobb Freed & Partners. It cost $350 million to build.
The building is located in downtown Los Angeles, California, and has dominated the city's skyline as its tallest building for 27 years. It is the third-tallest building in California, the second-tallest in Los Angeles, and the 24th-tallest in the United States. It is also the third-tallest building in a major active seismic region, and its structure was designed to resist an earthquake of 8.3 on the Richter scale.
The US Bank Tower was originally known as the Library Tower as it was built as part of the $1 billion Los Angeles Central Library redevelopment area following two fires at the library in 1986. It was also known as the First Interstate Bank World Center before US Bancorp leased the property in 2003 and renamed it the US Bank Tower.
The tower features a cascading set of waterfalls and stairs that descend around its perimeter. It also has a large glass crown at its top that is illuminated at night. The tower has 73 stories above ground and two parking levels below ground.
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It is 1,018 feet (310.3m) tall
The U.S. Bank Tower, also known as the Library Tower, is a 1,018-foot (310.3 m) skyscraper in downtown Los Angeles, California. It is the third-tallest building in California, the second-tallest in Los Angeles, the 24th-tallest in the United States, and the 129th-tallest in the world. The tower is also notable for being the third-tallest building in a major active seismic region. Its structure was designed to withstand an earthquake of 8.3 magnitude on the Richter scale.
The U.S. Bank Tower was completed in 1989 and was, at the time, the tallest building in the world in a seismic zone and the tallest building in the world with a rooftop heliport. It held this title until 2010 when the China World Trade Center Tower III in Beijing was completed. The tower features 73 stories above ground and two parking levels below ground. It was designed by Henry N. Cobb of the architectural firm Pei Cobb Freed & Partners and cost $350 million to build.
The tower's height makes it a dominant feature of the Los Angeles skyline and it has appeared in the backdrop of numerous films produced by Hollywood studios. Its height also contributes to its popularity as a tourist attraction, with an observation deck and a glass slide on the facade of the tower that allows visitors to experience the height and outdoor air. The slide, which opened in June 2016, is 45 feet (13.7 m) long and hangs off the side of the building 1,000 feet (304.8 m) above the ground.
The U.S. Bank Tower's height is also a key factor in its functionality as a heliport. Local building codes required all high-rise buildings to have a helipad, and the tower's roof height of over 1,000 feet (300 m) made it ideal for this purpose. The tower features a large glass crown at its top that is illuminated at night, further adding to its distinctive appearance.
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It was originally known as Library Tower
The US Bank Tower, a prominent feature of the Los Angeles skyline, was completed in 1989. At the time of its opening, it was known as the Library Tower, a name that stuck for over a decade.
The tower was so named because it was part of the Los Angeles Central Library redevelopment project, which aimed to revitalize the library and its surrounding area. The project was a response to the devastating fire that severely damaged the Central Library in 1986. The fire destroyed or damaged over a million books and led to a significant overhaul of the library's infrastructure and facilities. The Library Tower was intended to be a key component of this new development, providing office space and generating revenue to support the library's operations.
Designed by architect Henry N. Cobb of Pei Cobb Freed & Partners, the Library Tower stood at 1,018 feet (310 meters) with 73 stories, making it the tallest building in Los Angeles at the time. Its distinctive crown, which resembles a stack of books, is a nod to its original namesake and a unique feature in the city's skyline. The building's design also incorporated innovative seismic engineering features to withstand earthquakes, a critical consideration in the region.
For over a decade, the Library Tower name was synonymous with this iconic structure. However, in 2003, US Bancorp, a financial services company, acquired the naming rights as part of a lease agreement, and the tower was renamed the US Bank Tower. Despite the change in name, the building remains a significant landmark in Los Angeles, offering breathtaking views of the city and housing important art installations, including the massive "Continental Divide" sculpture by Alexander Calder in its lobby.
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It was designed by Henry N. Cobb
The US Bank Tower, also known as the Library Tower, is a 1,018-foot (310.3 m) skyscraper in downtown Los Angeles, California. It is the third tallest building in California and the 24th tallest in the United States. The building was designed by Henry N. Cobb, a prominent architect and partner at the renowned firm Pei Cobb Freed & Partners. Cobb's design for the US Bank Tower showcases his expertise and unique style.
Henry N. Cobb's architectural philosophy emphasised the importance of context and the surrounding environment in his designs. The US Bank Tower, completed in 1989, reflects this approach. The tower was built as part of the Los Angeles Central Library redevelopment following two fires in 1986. Cobb's design took into account the tower's location across the street from the historic Central Library, incorporating elements that complemented the existing architectural landscape. The tower's Art-Deco-via-Post-Modern design drew inspiration from local icons of the 1920s, including City Hall and the Central Library itself.
Cobb's attention to the surrounding context extended beyond mere aesthetics. The US Bank Tower is situated in a seismically active area, and Cobb's design addressed the unique challenges posed by this environment. The tower's structure was meticulously engineered to withstand significant earthquakes, a critical consideration given the region's vulnerability to seismic activity. This aspect of Cobb's design ensured the safety and stability of the building, making it a resilient landmark in Los Angeles' skyline.
The tower's design also incorporated innovative features. The layout of the tower is based on the concept of overlapping geometries, with a circular form superimposed onto a rectilinear matrix. This design concept is reflected in the building's exterior, with a series of upper-level setbacks and a textured façade characterised by triangular window bays. The triangular bays are repeated in the tower's crown, providing a striking visual distinction between it and the lower levels.
Henry N. Cobb's design for the US Bank Tower also included public-realm improvements at its base. The tower's construction involved the creation of the Bunker Hill steps, providing a pedestrian link between the modern downtown towers and the shorter early 20th-century buildings of the historic downtown core. This integration of public spaces into the tower's design enhanced the surrounding urban environment and improved accessibility within the cityscape.
The US Bank Tower, designed by Henry N. Cobb, has become an iconic landmark in Los Angeles. Its distinctive design, incorporating seismic resilience, innovative geometry, and public spaces, has earned it a prominent place in the city's skyline and popular culture. The tower has been featured in numerous films and continues to be a recognisable symbol of Los Angeles' architectural prowess.
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It is the third-tallest building in California
The US Bank Tower, also known as the Library Tower, is a 73-storey skyscraper in downtown Los Angeles, California. It stands at a height of 1,018 feet (310.3 m) and is the third-tallest building in California by structural height. It is surpassed in height by the Salesforce Tower and the Wilshire Grand Centre, which is now the tallest building in Los Angeles.
The US Bank Tower was the tallest building in Los Angeles for 27 years, dominating the city's skyline. It is also notable for being the first supertall building in Los Angeles and the entire western United States, outside of Chicago and Houston. Its height exceeds that of the Sears Tower and the John Hancock Tower, both of which charge less for access to their observation decks.
The tower's design incorporates a large glass crown at its top, which is illuminated at night. This crown is a distinctive feature, topped with two 23-metre "US Bank" logo signs that were added in 2004. The tower's structure was designed to resist earthquakes, and it is the third-tallest building in a major active seismic region.
The US Bank Tower was constructed between 1987 and 1989 at a cost of $350 million. It was originally known as the Library Tower due to its location across the street from the Los Angeles Central Library, which had been rebuilt following two fires in 1986. The tower was renamed in March 2003 when US Bancorp leased the property and acquired the naming rights.
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Frequently asked questions
Construction of the US Bank Tower began in 1987, and it was completed in 1989.
The US Bank Tower's architectural style has been described as Art-Deco-via-Post-Modern. Its design was inspired by established local icons of the 1920s, including City Hall and the Central Library.
The US Bank Tower stands at a height of 1,018 feet (310.3 meters). It is the third-tallest building in California and the 24th-tallest in the United States.
