The state of California is renowned worldwide for its iconic landmarks, and some of its most well-known landmarks are its high-rise skyscrapers.
Currently, California has the largest economy in the US and most of these high-rise skyscraper complexes are commercial offices that play an immense role in California’s massive economy. Not only these huge buildings contribute to California’s economy, but they also represent the architectural brilliance of this fascinating state.
Alongside serving as headquarters for multinational companies, these skyscrapers also host restaurants, hotels, museums and are constantly featured in movies. So, here is a list of the tallest buildings in California.
1. Wilshire Grand Center (Height: 1,100 feet)
The Wilshire Grand Center is the tallest building in California right now, and has been since the completion of its construction back in 2017.
Located in downtown Los Angeles, Wilshire Grand Center features a hotel, restaurants, retail offices and an observatory. Furthermore, this massive tower has 73 floors and 16 elevators.
Wilshire Grand Center was designed by AC Martin Partners, and is renowned for being the first skyscraper in LA without a flat roof. Wilshire Grand Center is owned by Hanjin Group and IJNR Investments Inc. and had a construction cost of $1.2 billion.
2. Salesforce Tower (Height: 1,070 feet)
Previously known as the Transbay Tower, the Salesforce Tower is one of the tallest buildings in California, and the tallest skyscraper in San Francisco. The Salesforce Tower is a commercial and retail office building which has 61 floors and 34 elevators.
Owned by Boston Properties, Salesforce Tower completed its construction in 2018 with a staggering cost of $1.1 billion. Salesforce Tower was designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects and was developed by Boston Properties.
3. U.S. Bank Tower (Height: 1,018 feet)
Previously known as the First Interstate Bank World Center, U.S. Bank Tower is one of the tallest buildings in California. Located in downtown Los Angeles, U.S. Bank Tower was the tallest building in California for 14 years, from 1986 to 2010.
It is a commercial office building that features 24 elevators and has 73 floors in total. Moreover, Bank Tower was designed in a postmodernism architectural design by Pei Cobb Freed & Partners.
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4. Aon Center (Height: 858 feet)
Located in downtown Los Angeles, Aon Center used to be the tallest building in California from 1973 to 1986 before it was surpassed by the U.S. Bank Tower. This commercial office building completed its construction in 1974 and is currently owned by 707 Wilshire Fee LLC.
Aon Center has a floor count of 67 and 30 elevators as well. This huge building at the heart of Los Angeles was designed by the architect Charles Luckman.
5. Transamerica Pyramid (Height: 853 feet)
Located in downtown San Francisco, Transamerica Pyramid was the tallest building in San Francisco for 48 years before it was surpassed by the Salesforce Tower in 2017. Transamerica Pyramid is a commercial office building that features 48 floors and 18 elevators.
Moreover, Transamerica Pyramid completed its construction in 1972 for a cost of $32 million. Designed like a pyramid, Transamerica Pyramid is one of the unique skyscrapers in California.
6. 555 California Street (Height: 779 feet)
555 California Street is a commercial office building that was previously known as the “Bank of America Center”. Located in downtown San Francisco, it is one of the most renowned buildings in the city.
555 California Street has 52 floors and 38 elevators, and is owned jointly by Vornado Realty Trust and The Trump Organization. 555 California Street was initially built to highlight the value of Bank of America, and used to be known as “Triple Five”.
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7. Two California Plaza (Height: 750 feet)
Two California Plaza, comprising two unique towers, is home to one of the best museums in LA, the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art.
This massive commercial building is owned by CIM Group and was awarded the BOMA Building of the Year award in 1997 and again in 2001. Additionally, Two California Plaza has 52 floors, 26 elevators, a water court and is home to the Los Angeles Omni Hotel.
8. Gas Company Tower (Height: 749 feet)
The Gas Company Tower, also referred to as SoCal Gas Center, is the headquarters of the Southern California Gas Company. Moreover, Gas Company Tower is also home to law firms like Arent Fox and Sidley Austin.
This huge skyscraper completed its construction in 1991 and has 61 floors along with 28 elevators. Notably, Gas Company Tower’s lobby was featured in the 1994 movie called “Speed”.
9. Bank of America Plaza (Height: 735 feet)
Previously known as Security Pacific Plaza, Bank of America Plaza is one of the tallest buildings in California. Located in downtown Los Angeles, Bank of America Plaza has 55 floors, with 9 being underground floors.
Established in 1974, Bank of America Plaza has served as the headquarters for Security Pacific National Bank and Capital Company Group. This iconic skyscraper was also featured in movies like “Pretty Woman” and “The Muppets”.
10. 777 Tower (Height: 725 feet)
Located in downtown Los Angeles, 777 Tower was originally known as the Citicorp Center. Also referred to as the “Pelli Tower”, this high-rise skyscraper has 55 floors and 33 elevators.
Owned by Brookfield Office Properties, 777 Tower was designed by Cesar Pelli in 1991 with a construction cost of $250 million. Additionally, this commercial office building has a three-storied lobby, made of Italian marble.
11. Wells Fargo Center (Height: 723 feet)
Previously referred to as the Crocker Center, Wells Fargo Center is a twin-tower high-rise complex. Located in downtown Los Angeles, the two towers of Wells Fargo Center are joined by a glass atrium that extends three stories.
Furthermore, this renowned tower was awarded the BOMA Building of the Year award in 1986-1987 and 2003-2004. Currently, its tallest tower, Tower I, has 54 floors and 29 elevators.
12. Figueroa at Wilshire (Height: 717 feet)
Previously known as Sanwa Bank Plaza, Figueroa at Wilshire is a high-rise skyscraper located in downtown Los Angeles. This commercial office building was built using the architectural style of Postmodernism. Designed by Albert C.
Martin & Associates, Figueroa at Wilshire completed its construction in 1990. Figueroa at Wilshire has 53 floors, with 4 being underground floors.
California is home to some of the tallest building in the US which serve as the primary pillars of California’s corporate landscape. Alongside presenting incredible utilities, these buildings are highlight California’s enormous value in the commercial world, as well as, attract tourists from around the world.