Transamerica Tower (Baltimore) Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids 100 Light St
Transamerica Tower in 2018
Former names	U.S. Fidelity & Guaranty Building USF&G Tower Legg Mason Building
General information
Type	Mixed use
Location	100 Light Street (between Light, East Lombard, South Charles and East Pratt Streets), Baltimore, Maryland
Coordinates	39°17′14.2″N 76°36′52.0″W / 39.287278°N 76.614444°W / 39.287278; -76.614444
Construction started	1971
Completed	December 31, 1973
Owner	COPT
Management	COPT
Height
Roof	528 ft (161 m)
Technical details
Floor count	40
Floor area	529,993 sq ft (49,238.0 m²)
Design and construction
Architect	Vlastimil Koubek & Associates
Engineer	Robert Kylberg (civil)
Main contractor	Huber Hunt & Nichols

100 Light Street is a very tall building in downtown Baltimore, Maryland. It has 40 floors and stands 528 feet (about 161 meters) high. This makes it the tallest building in both Baltimore and the entire state of Maryland! It was finished in 1973.

The building is located on a city block surrounded by Light, East Lombard, South Charles, and East Pratt Streets. It's also known by its past name, the Transamerica Tower.

When it was first built, it was called the USF&G Building. It was the main office for the United States Fidelity and Guarantee Company. This company, which deals with insurance, moved here from its older offices in Baltimore. Later, the building was also known as the Legg-Mason Building. It faces the beautiful Inner Harbor area of Baltimore.

Building History
Who Has Used the Building?
- Past and Present Companies
- Peregrine Falcons Make a Home
See also

Building History

How the Tower Was Built

The 100 Light Street tower was one of the first skyscrapers to use a new way of building. Workers first built a strong central concrete column. This column held the elevators and other important systems. After that, they added the steel beams and floors around it, rising floor by floor. People watched in amazement as this tall building went up in the early 1970s!

The Inner Harbor Area Grows

The building overlooks the new parkland and waterfront of the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore. New streets like Light and Pratt were rebuilt with trees and sidewalks. The historic U.S. Navy warship, USS Constellation, was docked nearby.

Around the tower, large open areas with pink stone and gardens were created. A few years later, the Harborplace shopping pavilions were built. This area became a popular spot with shops, a fountain, and an amphitheater facing the water. Soon, many other glass office buildings, hotels, and shops grew up around 100 Light Street.

Baltimore's Tallest Building

For 40 years, the Baltimore Trust Company Building (finished in 1929) was the tallest in the city. But when 100 Light Street was completed, it took over that title. It has remained the tallest building in Baltimore and Maryland ever since. It's also the tallest building between Philadelphia and Raleigh.

The building has had different owners and names over the years. Legg Mason, a financial company, used to have its offices here. They later moved to a new location in Harbor East.

The original owner, USF&G, sold the building when another company bought them. In 2011, the building was renamed the Transamerica Tower. This happened because Transamerica became the biggest tenant. They moved their main offices here from their famous Transamerica Pyramid building in San Francisco. The building was put up for sale again in 2015.

Who Has Used the Building?

Past and Present Companies

USF&G stayed in the building until the mid-1990s. In 2011, the law firm Ober|Kaler (now Baker Donelson) also moved in. They use six floors of the building.

In November 2011, Transamerica made the building their main headquarters. In April 2013, another law firm, Miles & Stockbridge P.C., also moved into the building.

Peregrine Falcons Make a Home

Since about 1978, a peregrine falcon has made its home on a balcony on the 33rd floor of the building. Every year, a pair of falcons return to this spot. They build a nest and raise their baby chicks there!

Transamerica Tower (Baltimore) facts for kids

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