It’s impossible to miss. If you’ve ever driven down I-75/85 through the heart of the city at night, you’ve seen that glowing orange pencil tip piercing the clouds. That’s the Bank of America Plaza Atlanta, a building that basically defines the skyline. Most people just call it the "pencil building," but there’s a lot more going on behind that granite facade than just office space and a fancy light show.
For starters, it’s big. Really big. We’re talking about the tallest building in the Southern United States. It stands at 1,023 feet. When it was finished in 1992, it actually snatched the title of the tallest building in the world outside of New York and Chicago. Think about that for a second. Atlanta, which was still shaking off its "sleepy southern town" reputation back then, suddenly had a skyscraper that outdid almost everything in Los Angeles, Houston, or Dallas. It was a massive statement of intent.
The Architecture That Almost Didn't Happen
Kevin Roche John Dinkeloo and Associates designed it, and honestly, they were leaning hard into that Postmodernist vibe that was huge in the early 90s. It’s not just a glass box. It has this reddish "Rosalind Pink" granite that looks different depending on how the Georgia sun hits it. But the real kicker is the top. That open-lattice spire is covered in 23-karat gold leaf.
Why gold? Because it reflects light in a way that paint simply can’t.
There’s a common misconception that the building is just a hollow shell at the top. While the very tip is a spire, the transition from the square base to the octagonal top is a feat of structural engineering. They used a "tube-in-tube" design. Basically, there’s a super-strong inner core and an outer frame that handles the wind loads. If you’ve ever been on the upper floors during a bad Georgia thunderstorm, you might feel a slight sway, but that’s by design. If it didn't sway, it would snap.
A History of Owners and Identity Crises
The building hasn't always been the Bank of America Plaza Atlanta. When it opened its doors, it was the NationsBank Plaza. Back then, NationsBank was on a tear, buying up everything in sight before eventually merging with Bank of America in 1998. That’s when the name changed.
But here’s the thing—Bank of America doesn't actually own the building. They’re just the "anchor tenant." They have their name on the door, but the actual ownership has changed hands in some of the biggest real estate deals in Atlanta history.
In 2006, BentleyForbes bought it for a staggering $436 million. At the time, it was the highest price ever paid for an office building in Georgia. Then the 2008 crash happened. The real estate market turned into a ghost town, and by 2012, the building was actually foreclosed on. It was a weird time for the city. You had this iconic, gold-topped symbol of prosperity sitting in a legal limbo. Eventually, CWCapital Asset Management took over, and later, Shorenstein Properties stepped in. Today, CP Group owns it.
They’ve spent millions of dollars lately trying to make the building feel less like a 1990s law firm and more like a modern tech hub. They added a 100,000-square-foot amenity package called "West Avenue." It’s got a high-end fitness center, a massive cafe, and a lobby that actually feels welcoming instead of intimidating.
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Why Location Is Everything (and Why It’s Tricky)
The tower sits at 600 Peachtree Street NE. It’s located in that "No Man’s Land" between Downtown and Midtown. Locals call it "SoNo" (South of North Avenue).
For years, this was a bit of a curse.
Downtown was for government and tourism; Midtown was for tech and nightlife. Bank of America Plaza sat right in the middle, somewhat isolated. However, the expansion of Georgia Tech and the massive redevelopment of the North Avenue corridor have changed the game. You're now a short walk from the Fox Theatre and the Varsity, but you're also right next to the massive data centers and tech offices that are flooding into Midtown.
- Height: 1,023 feet (55 stories)
- Completion Year: 1992
- Total Square Footage: Approximately 1.3 million square feet
- Elevators: 24 passenger elevators that move incredibly fast.
One thing people often get wrong is the floor count. You’ll hear people say it has 50 floors or 60 floors. It officially has 55 stories of office space. But because the ceilings are so high and the spire is so tall, it feels much larger than a 55-story residential building would.
The Energy and Environmental Reality
You wouldn’t think a building built in 1992 would be "green," but the Bank of America Plaza Atlanta has worked hard on its LEED certifications. It’s actually LEED Gold certified.
Managing the cooling for 1.3 million square feet in a city where the humidity hits 90% in July is a nightmare. They’ve overhauled the HVAC systems and lighting to be way more efficient. They also use a sophisticated water management system. When you have that much roof surface area, you have to deal with a lot of runoff.
What It’s Like Inside Today
Honestly, the "vibe" has shifted. It used to be exclusively "Big Law" and "Big Banking." You’d see nothing but charcoal gray suits in the lobby.
Now? It’s a mix.
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You still have the prestigious firms like Troutman Pepper—who have been there forever—but you also have tech startups and creative agencies. The "West Avenue" renovation was specifically designed to attract the Google and Microsoft crowd that has been colonizing Midtown. They’ve added "spec suites," which are basically move-in-ready offices for companies that don't want to spend six months picking out carpet samples and light fixtures.
The views are, predictably, insane. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Kennesaw Mountain to the northwest and Stone Mountain to the east. If you’re lucky enough to be on the top floors, you’re literally looking down on the rest of the city. Even the other "tall" buildings like the Truist Plaza or the One Atlantic Center look small from up there.
The Famous Lighting
We have to talk about the lights. That orange glow is iconic.
Originally, they used high-pressure sodium lamps, which gave it that distinct yellowish-orange hue. A few years ago, they upgraded to a sophisticated LED system. This allows them to change the color of the spire for special occasions. It goes red and black for the Falcons or UGA, blue and white for various holidays, or rainbow colors during Pride.
But most of the time, they keep it that classic "Atlanta Orange." It’s a beacon. If you’re lost in the city, you look for the pencil building.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Tower
One major misconception is that there is a public observation deck.
There isn’t.
Unlike the Empire State Building or the Willis Tower, the Bank of America Plaza Atlanta is a private office building. You can’t just buy a ticket and go to the top. The closest you can get is if you have a business meeting there or if you know someone who works in the building. It’s a shame, really, because the view from the 55th floor is probably the best in the entire Southeast.
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Another myth is that the spire is made of solid gold. Obviously, it’s not. It’s a steel frame with 23-karat gold leaf applied to it. If it were solid gold, the weight would probably collapse the building, not to mention it would be the world’s biggest target for thieves.
The Future of the South’s Tallest Building
Is it going to stay the tallest? For now, yes.
While there are plenty of new towers going up in Midtown and near the BeltLine, none of them are currently aiming for the 1,000-foot mark. Construction costs and "air rights" make it incredibly expensive to build that high today. Most developers are sticking to the 40-to-60-story range without the massive spires.
The building is also leaning into the "hybrid work" reality. They aren't just selling desks anymore; they're selling an experience. That’s why you see the addition of high-end coffee shops, wellness centers, and outdoor lounge areas. They want people to want to come to the office.
How to Experience the Building (Legally)
Since you can't go to the top, here is how you can actually "do" the Bank of America Plaza:
- The Lobby Visit: You can walk into the main lobby during business hours. It’s worth it just to see the scale of the granite work and the massive art installations. Just don't expect to get past the security turnstiles without a badge.
- Photography from the North Avenue Bridge: If you want that "classic" Atlanta photo, go to the bridge over the Downtown Connector at North Avenue. It’s the perfect angle.
- The Starbucks: There’s a Starbucks located in the building that is open to the public. It’s a great spot to sit and people-watch the "movers and shakers" of Atlanta business.
- Stay Nearby: If you’re visiting from out of town, stay at the Georgian Terrace or the Hotel Indigo across the street. You’ll wake up with the tower right outside your window.
Actionable Insights for Business Tenants
If you’re a business owner looking at office space, here’s the reality of the Plaza:
- Leasing Flexibility: They are currently very aggressive with "spec suites" for teams of 10-50 people.
- Commuting: It’s right between the North Avenue and Civic Center MARTA stations. This is a huge plus for employees who want to avoid the hellish Atlanta traffic.
- Networking: Being in this building still carries a certain "weight" in the Atlanta business world. It’s an instant credibility booster.
The Bank of America Plaza Atlanta isn't just a building; it’s a landmark. It’s seen the city grow from a regional hub to a global powerhouse. Whether you love the architecture or think it’s a bit dated, there’s no denying its place as the "North Star" of the Atlanta skyline.