LOS ANGELES | Wilshire - Figueroa | 717 FT / 219 M | 52 FLOORS | 1990

plinko · #1 Posted **Jul 3, 2008, 5:04 AM**

The Wilshire - Figueroa Tower (originally Sanwa Bank Plaza) is a bulky yet stylish tower at the intersection of two of downtown LA's busiest streets. The tower was designed by AC Martin and Partners, a firm that produced nearly 50% of the major towers in downtown LA.

Distinctively blue, with dark brown granite spandrels, the tower is shaped like a stepped octagon. The horiztontal banding gradually breaks off after 4 setbacks and the tower is capped in a blue glazed crown.

The tower is lit from the base at night and the crown is incredibly illuminated. It is probably the brightest tower in the downtown skyline at night.

I like this tower mainly for its color scheme. The shape is nice enough and the lighting is wonderful.

Under construction in summer of 1990 (almost done)...

Austin55 · #2 Posted **Jul 3, 2008, 5:19 AM**

This is,IMO, one of the sexiest towers in the world,and probably one of my all time favorites,definatly on the west coast. this is an amazing tower.

latennisguy · #3 Posted **Jul 3, 2008, 6:04 AM**

I really l ike this building as well...The water / fire installation in front is also really cool when it's turned on.

Buckeye Native 001 · #4 Posted **Jul 3, 2008, 2:41 PM**

Another great skyscraper. The glass is blue, though? Maybe something's wrong with my eyes because it looks green to me. Either way, its sexy at night when lit up.

RuFFy · #5 Posted **Jul 3, 2008, 9:25 PM**

It's green.. and it's a water fall.. The building was designed to look like water falling and at the bottom you can see where it crashes with the ground. I've been able to see the flame as well. There's a story to that flame but I forgot it. Ha ha. I think the flame might have something to do with the entire design, but I might be wrong. If I remember I'll keep you guys posted.

DowntownCharlieBrown · #6 Posted **Jul 7, 2008, 8:24 PM**

Great tower and I really like the lighting scheme, but I've never heard of the flame. Anyone have pictures to post?

JDRCRASH · #7 Posted **Jul 7, 2008, 10:57 PM**

Ah yes, I adore this building! I especially like the night-lighting.

LosAngelesBeauty · #8 Posted **Jul 8, 2008, 1:42 AM**

Yeah I was going to say that the crown is definitely GREEN, not blue. I like the lighting as well at night because it adds a nice color to LA's skyline.

Fabb · #9 Posted **Jul 8, 2008, 8:45 AM**

I like it.
It's much more elegant than Bear Stearn that uses the same concept.

ltsmotorsport · #10 Posted **Aug 19, 2008, 7:09 PM**

Love this tower. The setbacks are great.

JDRCRASH · #11 Posted **Aug 22, 2008, 5:14 PM**

I can definately see the resemblance from these angles:

BrandonJXN · #12 Posted **Apr 20, 2012, 11:46 PM**

I actually took a picture of the water and fire sculpture on fire last week. It's rarely ever on fire but luckily I got a picture of it.

Me

BrandonJXN · #13 Posted **Apr 22, 2012, 3:46 AM**

It should be said that I pass by this building a lot since I moved near downtown LA and it truly is one of the most beautiful skyscrapers ever built. This is the best example of post moderism in my opinion.

And the lobby....

• Video Link

jd3189 · #14 Posted **Apr 22, 2012, 4:40 AM**

If the MetLife North Building in NYC is ever finished, I would like it to be built in a similar post modern Art Deco to this tower. LA has some jewels of her own.

BrandonJXN · #15 Posted **Aug 19, 2012, 4:22 AM**

Me

Pete8680 · #16 Posted **Jan 16, 2015, 10:35 PM**

There is a similar building in Manhattan that looks similar but much shorter. Forgot its name.

Hudson11 · #17 Posted **Jan 17, 2015, 9:53 PM**

A good example of American PoMo.

Patrick · #18 Posted **Jan 26, 2015, 7:52 AM**

One of my absolute favorite buildings, I still remember it as the Sanwa Bank Building.

Here are some pictures I've taken of this postmodern beauty:

It's a shame the Wilshire Grand is being built right next door, LA is losing a great view of this building.

Yackemflaber69 · #19 Posted **Jan 27, 2015, 4:26 AM**

it’s worth it