Union Bank Plaza, International Style skyscraper in Downtown Los Angeles, United States.
Union Bank Plaza is a 40-story skyscraper in the International Style located in the financial district of Downtown Los Angeles, with a facade of glass and steel rising to about 515 feet (157 meters). The building stands on a large open plaza at street level that connects to the surrounding urban grid.
The tower was completed in 1968, shortly after the city lifted its long-standing height restriction in 1957, making it the first skyscraper to take advantage of the new rules. Its construction opened the door to the wave of tall buildings that followed in Downtown Los Angeles over the next decades.
The plaza was designed by landscape architect Garrett Eckbo and reflects modern garden design principles. Visitors will find concrete planters, grass areas, and water features that break up the urban space and invite people to linger.
The building sits in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles and is within walking distance of several metro stations, making it easy to reach without a car. The public plaza around the base is open during the day and offers shaded seating and open walkways for anyone passing through.
In 2020, this tower became the first skyscraper in Downtown Los Angeles to receive the Historic-Cultural Monument designation, which is rare for a building from the 1960s. The recognition places it alongside landmarks that are usually far older or more visually distinctive.
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