Beyond the bustling city streets, Union Bank Plaza rises. It is more than just a skyscraper. It is a landmark with a story etched in its steel and concrete.
Union Bank Plaza was the first completed project of the Bunker Hill Urban Renewal. It marked the beginning of a new era for downtown Los Angeles. The tower stands forty stories high. For a brief time, it was the tallest building in Los Angeles.
Designed in the Corporate International style, Union Bank Plaza is an architectural marvel. Albert C. Martin & Associates collaborated with Harrison & Abramovitz on its design. The building was completed in 1968. Its address is 445 South Figueroa Street.
The building has been known by other names. These include UBC Plaza, Union Bank of California Building, and Bunker Hill Square.
Garrett Eckbo designed the three-acre plaza at the base of the tower. Eckbo was a renowned landscape architect. The plaza sits three stories above street level. It is built atop the complex’s parking garage. Rows of trees stand in round concrete planters. Undulating islands of grass and pools of water dot the landscape. Eckbo’s design offers different experiences. Pedestrians at ground level enjoy the park. Employees in the tower view it from above.
The plaza blends soft foliage and hard concrete. It offers a modern take on a rooftop garden. Artist Jerome Kirk added the metal mobile sculpture “Aquarius” in 1970.
Access Union Bank Plaza via small staircases near the freeway. A large staircase and elevator are at Fifth Street. You can also use the pedestrian bridge from the Bonaventure Hotel. It is a hidden gem of 1960s Los Angeles.
Union Bank Plaza faced a proposed renovation in 2019. This sparked concern for its preservation. The L.A. Conservancy nominated it as a Historic-Cultural Monument. The building achieved HCM status in 2020. It became the first downtown skyscraper to do so.
The tower and plaza have a grid-patterned pavement scheme. This aligns with the steel columns of the building. The plaza is divided into zones. Different trees and vegetation visually distinguish these zones.
Union Bank became the headquarters of Union Bank when it was completed. The building cost $30 million. Texas developer Hines acquired Union Bank Plaza in 2008. Previous owners included Arden Realty Inc. and Walton Street Capital.
Union Bank Plaza stands as a testament to architectural innovation. It also stands as a commitment to preserving cultural heritage. Take a moment to appreciate the blend of nature and urban design. The Union Bank Plaza is an iconic landmark in the heart of Los Angeles.