City National Plaza facts for kids
Quick facts for kids City National Plaza |
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Paul Hastings and City National Towers
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| Former names | ARCO Plaza (1972–2005) |
| Alternative names | ARCO Center ARCO Plaza ARCO Plaza North Tower ARCO Plaza South Tower Atlantic Richfield Towers Bank of America Tower Los Angeles Twin Towers |
| General information | |
| Type | Commercial offices |
| Location | 505-555 South Flower Street Los Angeles, California |
| Coordinates | 34°03′03″N 118°15′25″W / 34.0508°N 118.2569°W |
| Construction started | 1969 |
| Completed | 1972 |
| Management | CommonWealth Partners |
| Height | |
| Roof | 213.3 m (700 ft) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 52 |
| Floor area | 206,000 m2 (2.22 million sq ft) |
| Lifts/elevators | 64 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Albert C. Martin & Associates |
| Main contractor | Robert E. McKee, Inc. |
City National Plaza is a huge complex with two tall buildings, called skyscrapers, in Downtown Los Angeles, California. When it first opened in 1972, it was known as ARCO Plaza. These towers are home to many different offices and businesses today.
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History of City National Plaza
From Richfield Tower to ARCO Plaza
Before City National Plaza, there was another famous building called Richfield Tower. It was built in 1929 and had a cool, artistic design called Art Deco. This tower was the main office for the Atlantic Richfield oil company. It was taken down in 1969 to make space for the new complex.
The current complex was built as ARCO Plaza. It has two office towers, each 52 stories tall and about 213 meters (700 feet) high. One of these towers became the new main office for the Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO). There was also an underground shopping area with escalators leading down from the street.
When the ARCO Plaza towers were finished in 1972, they were the tallest buildings in Los Angeles for a year. They were also the tallest twin towers in the world until the World Trade Center was completed in New York City. Today, they are still the tallest twin buildings in the United States outside of New York City.
Changes Over the Years
In 1986, the owners, ARCO and Bank of America, sold the buildings to a company called Shuwa Investments Corp. for $650 million. Both ARCO and Bank of America continued to rent space in the towers. Later, in 2003, Shuwa sold the property to Thomas Properties Group and other investors for $270 million.
The towers are built with steel frames and covered with dark green granite and bronze glass. In 2016, the top two floors of the Paul Hastings Tower were updated. They now have silver trim and lighter green glass panels.
Renaming to City National Plaza
In 2005, the ARCO Plaza complex was renamed City National Plaza. The south tower became the City National Tower, and the north tower became the Paul Hastings Tower. There is also a smaller building in the plaza called the Jewel Box. This building is home to the Gensler architectural firm, which moved there in 2011.
The plaza also features a large sculpture and fountain called Double Ascension by artist Herbert Bayer.
Companies at City National Plaza
Many different companies have offices in the buildings at City National Plaza. These companies are called "tenants" because they rent space there.
"Jewel Box" Building
- Gensler (an architecture firm)
Paul Hastings Tower
- Boston Consulting Group
- Crowell & Moring
- RSM US
- Grant Thornton
- Northwestern Mutual - Los Angeles
- Paul Hastings
- Regus
City National Bank Tower
- City National Bank
- Foley & Lardner
- Norton Rose Fulbright
- Jones Day
- Katten Muchin Rosenman
- Kroll
- Rottet Studio
- Squire Patton Boggs
- Turner Construction
- White & Case LLP
Shopping and Food at the Plaza
When ARCO Plaza first opened, it had a large shopping center with two levels. It was a new idea to have a shopping center inside an office complex. It had over 40 shops and services, plus more than 10 restaurants.
During a renovation in 2004, the lower shopping level was changed into parking. Today, the remaining level has a food court where people can grab a meal.
Images for kids
See also
In Spanish: City National Plaza para niños
