Completed in 1989 and originally known as the Library Tower, the U.S. Bank Tower has remained one of the most recognizable structures in Los Angeles for over three decades. Designed by renowned architect Henry N. Cobb of Pei Cobb Freed & Partners, the building rises to a height of 310 meters (1,018 feet), making it one of the tallest skyscrapers in the United States and a defining feature of the downtown LA skyline. With 73 floors of commercial space, its presence is felt both physically and culturally throughout the city.
Located at 633 West Fifth Street in the heart of downtown, the tower commands attention with its sleek vertical form and powerful presence. Its name changed to U.S. Bank Tower after a naming rights agreement, but its status as a Los Angeles landmark has remained consistent ever since it first opened its doors.
Early Significance
At the time of its completion in 1989, the U.S. Bank Tower was not only the tallest building in Los Angeles but also the tallest in California and the tallest skyscraper west of the Mississippi River. Even more remarkably, it was the ninth tallest building in the world—a rare distinction for any skyscraper located outside the pioneering high-rise powerhouses of the time which included New York, Chicago, and Hong Kong. This global standing emphasized Los Angeles’s growing importance on the world stage, particularly in finance, commerce, and media.
Design and Features
The U.S. Bank Tower was designed in a postmodern style that blends modernist minimalism with a nod to traditional forms. One of the most distinctive features of its design is its cylindrical crown and tiered setbacks, which were inspired by the geometry of the surrounding city grid. This shape not only enhances the building’s aesthetics but also reduces wind load at higher elevations.
Inside, the tower houses more than 1.3 million square feet of office space, with high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling glass offering panoramic views across Southern California. Perhaps one of the most unique elements is the high-altitude helipad at the top of the tower—one of the highest operational helipads in the world. For decades, Los Angeles building codes mandated helipads on tall buildings to provide emergency access, which is why the U.S. Bank Tower has a flat-topped design rather than a spire or tapering peak.
Comparison with Wilshire Grand Center and Salesforce Tower
Although the U.S. Bank Tower held the record as the tallest building in California for many years, it was eventually surpassed by the Wilshire Grand Center in 2017, followed by the Salesforce Tower in San Francisco in 2018. The Wilshire Grand reaches a height of 335.3 meters (1,100 feet), and Salesforce Tower tops out at 326.1 meters (1,070 feet). However, both of these towers include decorative elements—Wilshire Grand with its spire and Salesforce with its non-functional glass crown—that contribute significantly to their overall height.
In contrast, the U.S. Bank Tower’s height of 310 meters (1,018 feet) is measured to its functional roof. It does not rely on ornamental structures or spires to increase its height, giving it a more straightforward and utilitarian profile. Because of this, the U.S. Bank Tower still holds the title of tallest building in California by roof height, and many consider it the tallest “true” skyscraper in the state.
Cultural and Economic Role
From the moment it was completed, the U.S. Bank Tower has played a central role in the economic and cultural landscape of Los Angeles. Its location in the heart of the financial district made it a magnet for banks, law firms, and major corporations, while its architectural prominence secured it a place in film, television, and video games.
The building has been featured in dozens of Hollywood productions, most famously in the 1996 blockbuster Independence Day, where it’s destroyed in a dramatic alien attack. But perhaps its most lasting pop culture role is in the Grand Theft Auto video game franchise, where it appears as the Maze Bank Tower—an in-game representation of wealth, power, and ambition. Since Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, it has appeared in multiple iterations of the game, making it one of the most recognizable virtual skyscrapers in the world.
Recent Developments
In 2020, the tower was purchased by Silverstein Properties, a real estate firm known for redeveloping the World Trade Center site in New York. Following the acquisition, the new owners launched a significant renovation project aimed at modernizing the tower and repositioning it as a post-pandemic commercial hub.
Upgrades included the addition of a public observation deck, redesigned lobbies and common areas, and new amenities aimed at attracting a younger, more dynamic tenant base. These updates aim to ensure the U.S. Bank Tower remains competitive in a rapidly changing real estate landscape and continues to serve as a central hub in the revitalized downtown LA area.
Legacy
More than 35 years after it was completed, the U.S. Bank Tower continues to stand tall—not just as a piece of architecture, but as a symbol of Los Angeles’s vertical evolution. Its historical status as the tallest building west of the Mississippi River by roof height, combined with its enduring cultural relevance and ongoing renovation, ensures that it will remain a vital part of the city’s identity for years to come.
As of 2025, it is considered the second tallest building in Los Angeles and has the highest roof in the state. Unlike newer towers that rely on decorative additions to surpass it in height, the U.S. Bank Tower maintains its stature through pure architectural function. With its commanding presence, storied history, and recognizable silhouette, it has earned its place as one of the great American skyscrapers.