City National Plaza, twin tower skyscraper complex in downtown Los Angeles, California
City National Plaza is a building complex in downtown Los Angeles made up of two 52-story office towers and a shorter building between them. The towers feature modern design with dark Canadian granite and glass facing, cover an entire city block, and include an underground shopping area with around thirty retail stores and award-winning restaurants.
The complex was completed in 1972 and replaced the historic Art Deco Richfield Building from 1928, which was demolished in 1969. The two towers briefly became the tallest buildings in Los Angeles after opening and held the title of world's tallest twin towers until the World Trade Center was finished in New York City.
The name City National Plaza reflects a 2005 renaming that marked the complex's shift from an oil company headquarters to a mixed-use business space. The public plaza with the orange sculpture called Double Ascension serves as a daily gathering spot where workers and visitors stop to rest among the dark granite surroundings.
The complex is easily accessible by public transportation, located near major bus and subway stops in the heart of the business district. Visitors can explore the site during the day, with the public plaza freely open and featuring multiple restaurants and a variety of shops for browsing and dining.
The site displays salvaged remains from the demolished Richfield Building, including bronze elevator doors and decorations from 1928, placed near the modern towers. These visible fragments tell the story of how the location transformed from Art Deco architecture to modern office design while honoring its earlier history.
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