Los Angeles City Hall

The tallest building in Los Angeles from its completion in 1928 until 1964, this iconic municipal building has served as the center of Los Angeles’ city government for nearly 90 years.

Architecture Style  Modern American - Overall Concept  Art Deco style - Tower  Grecian - Main Entrance  Romanesque - Columns, Archways, and Bronze Doors

Prominent Architecture Features  Distinctive pyramid-shaped roof based on the shape of the Greek-designed tomb Mausoleum of Mausolus (353-350 BC)  Huge vaulted ceilings and marble floors  Giant rotunda with ornate artwork and lighting fixtures

Facade Granite and terracotta

City Hall Public Observation Deck 27th floor - Large vaulted room with

Iconic tall square columns

Charles Lindbergh Beacon Aircraft guidance light atop building’s crown

PROJECT SUMMARY

Project Description City Hall was built between 1926 and 1928 as the primary municipal building for the City of Los Angeles. City Hall is a high rise structure, comprised of steel and applied masonry. The building is comprised of three (3) main components: Base - basement to the 4th floor, Mid-rise - 5th to the 11th floor, and Tower - 12th to the pyramid top at the 32nd floor.

Official Building Name Los Angeles City Hall

Location 200 North Spring Street, Los Angeles, California Downtown Los Angeles Civic Center district bordered by Main, Temple, First, and

Spring streets.

Construction Commenced 1926 | Completed - 1928

Exterior renovation 1989. Seismic Renovation 1998 - 2001

Size & Scale 856,000 SF | 80,000 SM for government offices Height above ground: 454 Feet | 138 meters | 27 floors above ground

Historical Significance American Public Works Association (APWA) Historic Preservation Award (2001)

LEADERSHIP | PROJECT DESIGN | CURRENT USE

Los Angeles Mayor George E. Cryer (1921 - 1929)

U.S. President Calvin Coolidge (1923 - 1929)

Architect John Parkinson, John C. Austin, and Albert C. Martin, Sr.

Austin Whittlesey- Interior Design

Main Contractor Bovis Lend Lease

Structural Engineer Nabih Youssef Associates

Current Use Municipal government office building Center of Los Angeles city government - Houses the mayor’s office & LA City Council City Hall tours and information center

Observation deck on the 27th floor

NOTABLE FACTS

 Tallest isolated base structure in the world, following the 1998 - 2001 seismic renovation.

 Supported by 526 base isolators allowing the building to withstand an 8.1 earthquake.

 Featured in many movies and television shows including the location of The Daily Planet in the Adventure

of Superman 1950’s television show, Dragnet, and Perry Mason.

 At the time of completion, Los Angeles’ population had just reached one million.

 The tower is comprised of concrete formed from sand taken from California’s 58 counties.

 Widely recognized city landmark featured on many Los Angeles official documents.

 The observation deck, located on the 27th floor and open to the public, offers excellent views of the city.

The aircraft warning light, Charles Lindbergh Beacon, was found in a warehouse, restored, and re-located back atop the City Hall crown.

The observation deck, located on the 27th floor, offers excellent 360 degree views west to the Pacific Ocean, east to mountain ranges, south to Long Beach, and north to the Hollywood sign.

Los Angeles City Hall

Photograph taken from Grand Park Los Angeles looking towards North Spring Street entrance to Los Angeles City Hall