Tower 55 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tower 55 |
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| Former names | Market Post Tower |
| General information | |
| Type | Commercial offices Data center |
| Architectural style | Modernism |
| Location | 55 South Market Street San Jose, California |
| Coordinates | 37°20′03″N 121°53′30″W / 37.3342°N 121.8916°W |
| Completed | 1984 |
| Height | |
| Roof | 216.44 ft (65.97 m) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 15 |
| Floor area | 27,000 m2 (290,000 sq ft) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | CRGP Limited David Takamoto Associates |
Tower 55 is a tall building in downtown San Jose, California. It has 15 floors and is located at the corner of South Market Street and Post Street. This building is also known as the Gold Building because of its shiny, gold-colored glass outside. It was built in 1985 and was first called the Market Post Tower.
Tower 55 is special because it's a very important place for the internet. Many companies that help the internet work have their equipment here.
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What is Tower 55?
Tower 55 was built to have both offices and shops. When it was new, some people didn't like its gold glass. They thought it reflected too much light and heat.
A Golden Building
The building's unique gold color made it stand out. Even though it looked different, it soon became very important. It became a key spot for internet companies.
The Internet's Heartbeat
Tower 55 is famous for being a major hub for the internet. It hosts one of the oldest and most well-known internet exchange points called MAE-West. This means many internet companies connect their networks here.
What is an Internet Exchange?
An internet exchange is like a meeting point for different internet providers. It's where they connect their networks together. This allows data to travel quickly from one network to another. Think of it like a busy highway interchange for internet traffic.
Connecting the Internet
Many internet companies keep their equipment inside Tower 55. This helps them connect directly with other companies. These connections are called "peering." It makes the internet faster and more reliable for everyone.
Who Uses Tower 55?
Tower 55 is used for offices, telecom services, and shops. It is best known for its role with internet network providers. In 2000, a company called The Carlyle Group bought the building. They made it even better for internet connections. Now, it's known as a "multi-tenant carrier neutral telecom facility." This means many different internet companies can connect there easily.
Today, a company called CoreSite manages the leases for companies in the building. The federal Internal Revenue Service (IRS) also has an office on one floor.
A New Look for Tower 55
In 2013, the Market Post Tower got a new look. It was updated and renamed Tower 55.
