If you’ve spent any time stuck in traffic on the 110, you've seen it. That glowing, sail-shaped crown piercing the hazy Los Angeles sky. The Wilshire Grand Center isn't just another office building; it’s a massive, $1.2 billion middle finger to the old "flat-top" rules of the LA skyline.
For decades, every skyscraper in this city had to look like a giant box because of a 1974 fire ordinance requiring rooftop helipads. Then came the Wilshire Grand downtown LA project, and suddenly, we have a spire. We have curves. We have a building that looks like it belongs in the 21st century.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a local drama magnet. Some people love the change. Others still argue that it "cheated" to get its title as the tallest building west of the Mississippi. But whether you're an architecture nerd or just someone looking for a place to grab a $20 cocktail with a view that’ll make your head spin, there is a lot more going on here than just height.
The Height Controversy: Is it Actually the Tallest?
Let's get the elephant out of the room. If you stand at the base of the Wilshire Grand and look over at the U.S. Bank Tower, your eyes might play tricks on you.
Technically, the Wilshire Grand Center stands at 1,100 feet.
But here’s the kicker: about 300 feet of that is the spire. If you measure roof-to-roof, the U.S. Bank Tower actually sits about 34 feet higher. In the world of skyscraper rankings, the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) says spires count, but antennas don't. Since this spire is a structural part of the design—lit up with LEDs that can be seen from miles away—the Wilshire Grand takes the crown.
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Does it matter? To developers, absolutely. To a tourist? Probably not. You’re still looking down on the rest of the city from the 73rd floor.
A "City Within a City" Design
Architectural firm AC Martin didn’t just want to build a tower. They wanted to build a tribute to California. The "sail" at the top is actually modeled after the silhouette of Half Dome in Yosemite. You can see the resemblance in the sheer drop and the subtle curve of the glass.
Inside, the building functions as a massive mixed-use ecosystem.
- The InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown: This takes up the bulk of the upper floors (31 to 73).
- Class A Office Space: About 677,000 square feet of it, filled with people who probably have the best cubicle views in the world.
- Retail and Dining: The "podium" at the base connects the tower to the street level, trying to make DTLA feel more walkable.
One of the coolest features is the elevator system. You don't just walk into a lobby and hit "70." You go through a specialized lobby and take high-speed double-decker elevators that travel at 1,600 feet per minute. It’s fast enough to make your ears pop, and it deposits you directly into the "Sky Lobby" on the 70th floor.
Standing on 82 Million Pounds of Concrete
Before a single pane of glass went up, the Wilshire Grand broke a Guinness World Record. In 2014, they performed the largest continuous concrete pour in history.
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For 18 hours straight, over 2,000 truckloads of concrete were dumped into a massive pit to create the foundation. We’re talking 82 million pounds of material. Why? Because the San Andreas Fault is only 46 miles away.
The engineering here is wild. The building uses Buckling Restrained Braces (BRBs). Think of them as giant shock absorbers for the skyscraper. If a big earthquake hits, these braces are designed to deform and absorb the energy so the actual skeleton of the building doesn't snap. It’s designed to withstand a magnitude 7.4 quake.
The Visitor’s Guide: Spire 73 and the Sky Lobby
If you aren't staying at the InterContinental, you're likely visiting for the view.
Spire 73 is the tallest open-air bar in the Western Hemisphere. It is breathtaking. It is also usually windy and expensive. There’s often a cover charge just to get up there (around $25-$30 depending on the night), and the drinks are priced like you’re paying for the oxygen at that altitude.
Pro Tip: If you want the view without the cover charge, go to the Lobby Lounge on the 70th floor. It’s the hotel’s check-in area, but it has floor-to-ceiling windows and a bar. You can grab a coffee or a glass of wine, sit in a plush chair, and watch the sunset over Santa Monica.
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Also—and this sounds weird but trust me—check out the bathrooms on the 70th floor. They have floor-to-ceiling windows. It is easily the most surreal "restroom with a view" experience you’ll ever have.
Realities of the Glass Facade
It’s not all sunshine and records. The building uses a specific type of high-performance glass (VRE 1-38), but shortly after opening, there were complaints about "death rays."
Similar to the Vdara in Las Vegas, the curved glass was accused of reflecting concentrated sunlight into nearby areas, potentially causing extreme heat. The developers mostly downplayed this, noting it’s the same glass used in thousands of buildings, but it's a reminder that when you build a 1,100-foot mirror, there are consequences.
Actionable Tips for Visiting Wilshire Grand Downtown LA
If you're planning to head down there, don't just wing it. Downtown LA can be a headache if you aren't prepared.
- Don't Drive if You Can Help It: The building is right across from the 7th Street/Metro Center station. Take the Red, Purple, Blue, or Expo line. Valet parking at the Grand can run you $50+ easily.
- Timing is Everything: Aim for the "Golden Hour." Get to the 70th floor about 45 minutes before sunset. You’ll see the city in daylight, watch the sun drop over the Pacific, and see the grid of LA light up.
- Check the Weather: Because Spire 73 is open-air, they will close it if there’s high wind or rain. Even on a warm LA night, it gets chilly at 1,000 feet up. Bring a jacket.
- Dining Alternatives: La Boucherie on the 71st floor is a high-end steakhouse with "Starlight Booths." It’s incredibly romantic but requires a reservation and a hefty credit card limit. For something more casual, Dekkadance on the 69th floor offers an international buffet with a similar view.
- Look for the LED Shows: The "spine" of the building has 2.5 miles of LED lighting. On holidays or game days (Go Dodgers/Lakers), the building changes colors. It’s a great photo op from the street level on Figueroa.
The Wilshire Grand isn't just a building; it’s a symbol of the "new" Downtown Los Angeles. It’s flashy, it’s controversial, and it’s built to survive the "Big One." Whether you’re there to work, sleep, or just stare at the horizon, it’s a landmark that finally gave LA the non-flat skyline it deserved.
Next Steps for Your Visit:
You should check the official InterContinental DTLA website or Spire 73’s OpenTable page before heading out. They often host private events that can close off the top floors to the public. If you're a photographer, bring a lens cloth; the glass in the Sky Lobby can get smudgy from all the people pressing their faces against it to see the view.