You’ve seen Fox Plaza Century City. I’m almost certain of it. Even if you’ve never stepped foot in Los Angeles or navigated the brutal traffic of Avenue of the Stars, you know this silhouette. It is the definitive skyscraper of the 1980s. It is Nakatomi Plaza.
When John McTiernan was filming Die Hard in 1987, the building wasn't even finished yet. The construction debris you see on the upper floors in the movie? That wasn't a set decorator's clever touch. It was actual construction debris. Bruce Willis was running around a literal construction site. Honestly, it’s kind of wild to think about a major studio using its own unfinished corporate headquarters as a playground for C4 explosives and machine-gun fire, but that was the 80s for you.
The Brutalist Elegance of William Pereira’s Vision
Fox Plaza stands as the final masterpiece of William Pereira. If you don't know the name, you know the work. He's the guy behind the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco and the Geisel Library at UCSD. The man had a thing for futuristic, almost alien geometries.
Fox Plaza is a 34-story monolith clad in salmon-colored granite and gray tinted glass. It doesn't just sit there; it commands the corner of Olympic Boulevard. The floor plan is a weirdly satisfying 16-sided polygon. This isn't just for aesthetics. Because of that shape, the building offers an absurd amount of corner offices. In the world of high-stakes entertainment law and talent agencies, corner offices are the literal currency of power.
Walking up to it today, it feels heavy. Substantial. Unlike the glass needles popping up in New York or London, Fox Plaza feels like it was built to survive a siege. Which, given its cinematic history, is pretty ironic.
More Than Just Nakatomi Plaza
While Die Hard is the big one, Fox Plaza Century City has a resume longer than most character actors. It showed up in Airheads. It was the site of the climactic explosion (well, a digital version of it) at the end of Fight Club. It even played a role in Speed.
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But the real-world occupants are often more interesting than the fictional ones. This was Ronald Reagan’s post-presidency home. After he left the White House in 1989, he took over the entire 34th floor. For years, the leader of the free world was commuting to Century City. You can imagine the Secret Service detail trying to blend in with the agents and lawyers in the lobby.
Today, the building is owned by the Irvine Company. They’ve poured a lot of money into keeping it from becoming a relic. They added a massive "The Commons" outdoor area because, apparently, even high-powered executives need a place to eat an artisanal salad in the sun.
Why the Architecture Actually Works
A lot of modern skyscrapers feel flimsy. You look at them and think a stiff breeze might cause some issues. Not Fox Plaza. The granite gives it a texture that catches the Southern California light in a specific way—turning almost golden during "golden hour."
- The Height: 492 feet. It’s not the tallest in LA by a long shot, but because Century City sits on a slight rise, it punches above its weight class.
- The Windows: They aren't just flat. They are recessed, creating shadows that give the building depth.
- The Lobby: It’s been renovated, but it still retains that sense of 1980s corporate grandeur. It’s all polished stone and high ceilings.
The building was completed in 1987, right at the peak of the Century City boom. Before this area was a high-rise hub, it was the backlot of 20th Century Fox. The studio sold off the land to stay afloat after the disastrous production of Cleopatra in the 60s. So, when you stand at Fox Plaza, you are standing on what used to be the set of some of the greatest films in history.
The Century City Context
You can't talk about Fox Plaza without talking about Century City itself. It’s a "city within a city." It’s weirdly sterile but incredibly efficient. It’s a place designed for cars and deals.
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When you’re at Fox Plaza, you’re a stone's throw from the Westfield Century City mall—which is probably the nicest mall in America, honestly—and the iconic Creative Artists Agency (CAA) building. It’s a dense pocket of wealth and influence. If you’re a fan of architecture, walking from Fox Plaza toward the twin Century Plaza towers is a great way to see how LA’s skyline evolved.
The "Nakatomi" Legacy Today
Fans still show up. They stand on the sidewalk and take pictures of the roof, looking for the spot where the helicopter went down. The security guards are used to it by now. They probably see ten "Yippee-ki-yay" jokes before lunch.
But there’s a tension there. It’s a working office building. People are in there right now drafting contracts for the next Marvel movie or managing billion-dollar hedge funds. They don't see a movie set; they see their 9-to-5.
I think that's why Fox Plaza Century City persists in our collective memory. It’s the perfect blend of mundane corporate reality and high-octane fantasy. It’s where John McClane saved Christmas, but it’s also where a former President checked his mail and where thousands of people go to work every Monday morning.
Practical Insights for Visiting
If you're planning to swing by, don't expect a guided tour of the ventilation shafts. It’s a private office building. Security is tight. However, there are ways to experience it without getting tackled by a guard.
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- The View from the Mall: The outdoor terrace at the Westfield Century City mall offers one of the best, unobstructed views of the tower. It’s great for photos.
- The Perimeter Walk: You can walk the entire block. The landscaping around the base is actually quite nice, and you get a sense of the scale of the granite work.
- Dining Nearby: Don't eat in the building unless you work there. Head over to Eataly in the mall or Hinoki & the Bird if you want something fancy.
- Photography: If you’re a photographer, come at sunset. The way the grey glass and pinkish stone react to the LA smog—err, "atmosphere"—is genuinely beautiful.
The building stands as a monument to a specific era of American ambition. It was a time when we built things out of stone and steel, intended to last forever. It’s a bit 80s, a bit "greed is good," and a lot of fun to look at.
Future Proofing a Landmark
The Irvine Company has been aggressive about LEED certification. It’s weird to think of the Nakatomi building as "green," but it’s actually one of the more energy-efficient older towers in the city now. They’ve updated the HVAC, the lighting, and the water systems.
It’s not going anywhere. While other buildings from that era are being torn down or converted into "luxury lofts" with questionable plumbing, Fox Plaza remains the premier office address in Century City. It has survived the 1994 Northridge earthquake, the decline of the physical studio system, and even a fictional terrorist takeover led by Hans Gruber.
How to Get There and What to Look For
If you’re driving, be prepared for the Century City maze. The parking rates at the nearby garages are basically a form of legal robbery. Take an Uber or Lyft if you can.
When you arrive, look at the very top. You’ll see the mechanical penthouse levels. That’s where the final showdown in Die Hard happened. Look at the helipad. It’s still there. Then, look at the base. The way the building meets the ground is surprisingly graceful for such a massive structure.
Key Details to Spot:
- The Granite Texture: Run your hand over the exterior if you can get close enough. It’s rough-hewn and incredibly durable.
- The Glass Tint: It’s a specific shade of grey that was very popular in the mid-80s to reduce heat gain without using the "mirrored" look of the 70s.
- The Plaza: The open space around the building is designed to funnel wind, which can make it surprisingly chilly on a breezy day.
Fox Plaza Century City isn't just a building; it’s a character in the story of Los Angeles. It represents the shift from the film industry being a "backlot" business to a global corporate powerhouse. It’s a landmark that doesn't need a sign to tell you it’s important. You just feel it.
Actionable Steps for the Architecture Fan
- Research William Pereira: If you like Fox Plaza, look up his master plan for the city of Irvine. It’s fascinating to see how his mind worked on a larger scale.
- Watch the "Die Hard" Commentary: The director talks extensively about using the building as a character. It’ll give you a whole new appreciation for the interior layout.
- Visit at Night: The building is lit in a way that emphasizes its verticality. It looks completely different—and much more menacing—after dark.
- Check the Weather: Go on a clear day after a rainstorm. The views from Century City out toward the Pacific Ocean (which you can see from the upper floors) are legendary.
Whether you're an architecture geek or just a movie buff, Fox Plaza is worth a stop. It’s a rare piece of pop culture history that you can actually touch. Just don't try to go up to the roof. Trust me, security has heard that one before.