On June 23, the 73-story Wilshire Grand skyscraper opened in downtown Los Angles, making it the tallest structure west of the Mississippi.
Standing at 1,100 feet tall, the building features a “sky lobby” and infinity pool that offer visitors expansive views of the city. The structure has 400,000 square feet of Class ‘A’ office space, 45,100 square feet of restaurant and retail space, and 900 hotel rooms for a four-star hotel, as well as outdoor areas and exterior plazas.
“This world class, mixed use office and hotel project will redefine high rise hotels with its 70th floor hotel lobby, rooftop entertainment, and dining,” said Chris Martin, FAIA, the project’s architect and CEO of AC Martin Partners and Martin Project Management, in a release by the Wilshire Grand. “Its office space will be regarded as the new standard of quality in technically advanced office space.”
Construction of the tower focused on green building techniques and materials—instead of demolishing the old Wilshire Grand Hotel, the team deconstructed the structure, capitalizing on nearly $4 million in recycled revenue through the re-use of metal, concrete, and wood.
The building achieved LEED Silver certification, and employs climate and lighting systems that reduce energy consumption, as well as a water-capture system for irrigation and non-drinking purposes that will reduce water usage up to 30 percent.
The $1 billion project is being developed by Korean Air, and is expected to infuse more than that amount back into the Los Angeles economy through tourism and job creation.
Courtesy Gary Leonard
Courtesy Gary Leonard
Courtesy Gary Leonard
Courtesy Gary Leonard
Courtesy Gary Leonard
Courtesy Gary Leonard
Courtesy Gary Leonard
