The Wilshire Grand Center, which soars to a height of 1,100 feet, opened its door to the public for the first time Friday. There were speeches, parties, and a public light show to commemorate the 73-story tower, which, thanks to its decorative spire is now the tallest tower west of the Mississippi. (It edged out the U.S. Bank Tower for that title, one it had held since 1989).
Located at Wilshire Boulevard and Figueroa Street in Downtown LA’s Financial District, it stands out because of that spire—the first one built on a Downtown skyscraper since the 1970s—and its light-up spine.
Developed by Korean Air, the skyscraper took three years to build, starting in 2013 with the razing of the original Wilshire Grand, a hotel renamed from the struggling Statler Hotel. A new InterContinental Hotel, with 889 rooms, was incorporated into the new tower, above office space. For the public, there’s a rooftop bar on the 73rd floor and restaurants on the 71st.
Korean Air’s CEO is a USC graduate, and, according to the Los Angeles Daily News, at Friday’s ribbon-cutting, he said, “LA is my second home. I’ve long dreamed of giving back to this beautiful city.”
If you didn’t get an invite opening festivities, plenty of other people were there to document it for you. Take a look at their photos below.
The lobby of
Comments
"Photos of LA’s (second-)tallest tower". The claim that this building is the tallest in L.A. is ludicrous. The roof is actually lower than that of the US Bank building; the pole they belatedly stuck on the roof notwithstanding.
By Localist on 06.24.17 7:06pm
It is the tallest. If you look at the topography of downtown, you will see the US Bank Tower is built on a hill that is higher than where this building sits.
By schmluss on 06.24.17 9:04pm
According to many sources, e.g., Wikipedia: "When measured by roof height, the [Wilshire Grand] tower is 934 ft. tall, which is 84 ft. shorter than the US Bank Tower roof." "Roof height" is the distance between street level and the roof, so hilliness is irrelevant. It was widely reported that the pole was added only to increase the "structural" height to be greater than the US Bank (Library) Tower. Readers should not be fooled by the property developer and allied city officials.
By Localist on 06.24.17 11:06pm
Well now I know It’s not tall enough, I’m canceling my reservation asap!
By LeBasque on 06.25.17 10:48pm
Nice building, but cheater spheres don’t count.
By GuyOnLACurbed on 06.26.17 8:14am
I love the architecture of this building, not only as a singular element, but how it complements the entire downtown skyline. It helps achieve a balance that had been missing. Consist in form. elegant.
Unfortunately, I find the digital displays to be garish and unbecoming of such a structure.
By Cleavon Little on 06.26.17 12:19pm
Beautiful building. But we do live in Earthquake territory. Blade Runner is coming into view. The poor will live in brick and mortar homes at the base of the glass and glimmering towers. Ads will bounce of the the beautiful glass so get use to the garish and unbecoming, becoming the norm.
By starlyn on 06.27.17 12:34pm