You’ve seen it. Even if you don’t live in California, you’ve probably seen the Bank of America Plaza Los Angeles in the background of about a hundred different movies. It’s that massive, dark granite monolith that anchors the Bunker Hill skyline. It doesn't scream for attention like the Wilshire Grand with its spire or the U.S. Bank Tower with its crown. It just sits there. Heavy. Imposing.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a beast.
Rising 55 stories above the intersection of Hope and Flower Streets, this tower is a relic of a very specific era of Los Angeles history. We’re talking about the mid-1970s, a time when the city was desperately trying to prove it had a "real" downtown. For a long time, it was actually the tallest building in the city until the 1980s construction boom took over. But even now, with all the glass and steel surrounding it, there is something about the "B of A" tower that feels permanent in a way newer buildings don't.
The Architecture of Power
The building was finished in 1974. At the time, it was known as the Security Pacific Plaza. If you look at the design by Albert C. Martin & Associates, you’ll notice it’s basically a masterclass in Late Modernism. It’s not "pretty" in a traditional sense. It’s formal.
The exterior is clad in polished Spanish Rose granite. Depending on the time of day, that stone can look anywhere from a deep, bruised purple to a dusty grey. It’s a 55-story statement of financial stability. Inside, the lobby is huge. It’s the kind of space that makes you feel small, which was exactly the point of corporate architecture in the seventies. You walk in, and the sheer volume of the travertine and glass tells you that serious things happen here.
One thing people often miss is the orientation. The tower is rotated 45 degrees relative to the street grid. Why? Because the architects wanted to maximize views of the San Gabriel Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. It also created these massive triangular plazas at the base, which are arguably more important to the city's fabric than the office space itself.
Alexander Calder’s "Four Arches"
You can’t talk about the Bank of America Plaza Los Angeles without talking about the bright red sculpture sitting out front. It’s called "Four Arches." It was commissioned specifically for this site by Alexander Calder.
It’s 63 feet tall.
It’s vivid.
It’s basically the only splash of color in a sea of grey and brown.
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Calder finished it just before he died in 1976. Most people just walk past it on their way to grab a salad at lunch, but it’s one of the most significant pieces of public art in the entire Western United States. It breaks up the "corporate" feel of the plaza. Without that giant red steel structure, the building might feel a little too much like a fortress. Instead, it feels like a landmark.
The Shift from Security Pacific to B of A
If you're wondering why it’s called Bank of America Plaza when B of A has its own massive presence elsewhere, it comes down to the big banking mergers of the 90s. Security Pacific National Bank was a titan of California finance. When Bank of America acquired them in 1992, they inherited the keys to this Bunker Hill castle.
It wasn't just a change of name on the door. It marked a shift in how DTLA functioned. The building became a hub for high-end legal firms and financial consultants. Today, it’s managed by Brookfield Properties, one of the biggest players in global real estate. They’ve poured millions into keeping the place relevant. They updated the gardens. They refreshed the concourse.
They had to.
With the rise of "creative office space" in places like the Arts District or Culver City, a 50-year-old skyscraper has to work twice as hard to keep tenants. Yet, the Bank of America Plaza Los Angeles stays nearly full. There’s a certain type of law firm or wealth management group that doesn't want to work in a converted warehouse with exposed pipes. They want the granite. They want the security. They want the prestige of a Bunker Hill address.
The Secret Life of the Plaza
The gardens here are actually one of the best kept secrets in Downtown LA. It’s a 4.2-acre site, and more than half of that is open space. Most office buildings give you a concrete slab and a few potted trees. This place has over 200 trees, including some truly impressive redwoods and oaks.
It’s a weirdly quiet spot.
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If you’re working in the city and need to escape the noise of 5th Street, the plaza is where you go. It sits on a high point of the hill, so you get these cool breezes that you just don't get down at street level in the Historic Core. It’s a popular spot for film crews too. You’ve seen these elevators in movies like Fight Club or Hard to Kill. There’s a specific "cinematic" quality to the lighting in the gardens that location scouts absolutely love.
Why It Matters for DTLA’s Future
We are currently seeing a massive transformation in how people view Downtown Los Angeles. Post-2020, the "office" is being redefined. Some towers are being converted into apartments. Others are sitting empty.
But the Bank of America Plaza Los Angeles is likely to stay an office building for the long haul.
Its floor plates are large and efficient. The LEED Gold certification shows that even an old building can be brought up to modern environmental standards. It’s also incredibly well-connected to the Metro. When the Regional Connector opened up nearby, it made getting to this specific corner of Bunker Hill easier than it’s been in forty years.
There’s also the neighbor factor. You’re right next to The Broad, MOCA, and Walt Disney Concert Hall. This isn't just a business district anymore; it’s a cultural one. The plaza serves as the "backyard" for this entire high-end neighborhood.
What Most People Get Wrong
A common misconception is that the building is just one giant bank. In reality, Bank of America is just the anchor tenant. The building is home to dozens of different companies. Kirkland & Ellis, one of the most profitable law firms in the world, has a massive presence here. Shepard Mullin is another big name.
Basically, if you’re involved in a multi-billion dollar lawsuit in Southern California, there’s a high chance your lawyer has an office in this building.
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Another mistake? Thinking you can’t go there. The plaza is public. You can sit by the Calder sculpture, eat your lunch, and enjoy the greenery. It’s one of the few places in DTLA that feels genuinely "grand" without being exclusionary.
Technical Specifications and Ownership
To understand the scale, you have to look at the numbers, though numbers rarely tell the whole story of a building’s "soul."
- Height: 735 feet (224 meters).
- Floor Count: 55 stories above ground, plus several levels of subterranean parking.
- Total Square Footage: Roughly 1.4 million square feet of office space.
- Sustainability: LEED Gold Certified (which is hard to achieve for a 1970s build).
Brookfield Properties currently owns the building. They’ve been smart about the "tenant experience." They added a high-end fitness center and upgraded the dining options. It’s no longer just a place to sit at a desk; it’s a "campus." That’s a buzzword, sure, but in this case, the 4-acre park actually makes the word fit.
Navigation and Visiting
If you’re planning to visit, don't try to park in the building’s garage unless you have a corporate expense account. It’s pricey. Honestly, take the Metro. Get off at the Grand Av Arts/Bunker Hill station. It’s a short walk from there.
When you arrive, take a second to look at the "Four Arches." Stand directly under it and look up. The way the red steel frames the dark granite of the tower is one of the best architectural views in the city. Then, walk through the gardens toward the back of the plaza. There are water features and seating areas that feel completely removed from the chaos of the city below.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit or Business
Whether you're a real estate nerd, a tourist, or a local looking for a quiet spot, here is how to actually "use" the Bank of America Plaza Los Angeles:
- For Art Lovers: The Calder sculpture is the main event, but the building's lobby often hosts rotating exhibits or has permanent pieces that reflect the high-modernist era. It’s worth a walk-through.
- For Remote Workers: The outdoor plaza has decent Wi-Fi and plenty of shaded seating. It’s one of the best "outdoor offices" in the city if you need a change of scenery.
- For Photographers: The best light hits the "Spanish Rose" granite about an hour before sunset. The building turns a warm, glowing red that contrasts perfectly with the blue California sky.
- For Business Professionals: If you're looking for office space that signals "stability" and "prestige" to clients, this remains the gold standard in Los Angeles. The amenities are geared toward high-performance firms.
The Bank of America Plaza isn't just a skyscraper. It’s a 735-foot tall anchor for the city. It has survived market crashes, ownership changes, and the literal transformation of the skyline around it. It remains a testament to a time when Los Angeles decided it was finally time to grow up and reach for the clouds.
Next time you’re in DTLA, don't just look at the shiny new glass towers. Look for the granite. Look for the red arches. That’s where the real history is.
To get the most out of a visit, start at the Broad Museum just across the street, then walk over to the plaza for a quiet moment in the gardens. It’s the perfect way to see the two sides of Downtown: the flashy culture and the quiet power.