LOS ANGELES | City Hall | 454 FT / 138 M | 24 FLOORS | 1928
 

L.A.'s iconic City Hall is a lovely tapering white terra-cotta masterpiece. Designed by Albert Martin, whose sons transformed downtown Los Angeles with their tall modern towers, City Hall is a nod to classical forms with some deco flair.

It was the tallest building in the state when completed in 1928 until the completion of Union Bank Square (by AC Martin & Partners) on Figueroa Street in 1964.

The building was restored carefully and seismically retrofitted after being damaged during the 1994 Northridge quake. Part of the restoration was replacing the white terra-cotta tiles that line the facade. The aircraft beacon on top of the pyramid was restored and a new lighting scheme debuted in (2001?).

The building has 23 city office floors and the tower is capped with the exquisite Tom Bradley Room, a conference and reception room open to the public with amazing views. The room also has exterior arcades on all four sides and can be opened up to the lovely Southern California weather.

I believe this is the 3rd tallest city hall in the US (behind Philadelphia and New York, just ahead of KC)?

Some photos...

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West lobby...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ITYHALL012.jpg

the Tom Bradley Room...
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the man...
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the most unfortunate parking lot in all of Los Angeles...
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the view (great in all four directions)...
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Still a stand-out in the skyline...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ITYHALL023.jpg

Funny, I was just thinking of posting an LA City Hall love thread. Just go on flickr and search for Los Angeles City Hall. There's some phenomenal interior shots- I love that rotunda floor:)
This building is a spectacular example of a civic monument- the pride and idealism of its builders and designers oozes from every pore of its terra cotta hide.

After the damage suffered in the Northridge quake, we're lucky City Hall is still with us. The building took severe damage, and there were many who wanted to tear it down(!). Fortunately they didn't get their way, and after a massive seismic retrofit, this beautiful skyscraper is still here, and will be for many years more.

It is both beautiful architecture and a gem of civic pride, both of which are lacking in Los Angeles. It's in my avatar for a reason. It's my second favorite building in Los Angeles behnd Mayne's Cal Trans building.

Probably the most well-known skyscraper in LA, slightly ahead of the Library Tower. Gorgeous building with an observation deck I have yet to experience.

It's always been iconic because it stands out from the rest of LA's buildings. Before the 60's it was iconic for being the tallest building, but now it's iconic for not having a helicopter pad on top of a square roof.

I have always liked this building.

It was iconic enough to be destroyed by the Martians in George Pal's 1953 War of the Worlds. The Library Tower took over as the iconic structure targeted by the aliens in the 1996 movie Independence Day.

Dragnet and every other cop show based in LA probably helped the building become more recognizable. Hell, its on the shield of the LAPD.

Really? I'm quite surprised because I think you've been in this area (I know, you're in Puke City) much longer than I have. It's quite a site especially if you're alone.

I think at one time it was the Daily Planet as well. I can't remember though.

This building is clearly from another era. They don't make them like this anymore. A very proud and majestic building.

This is a great building.
I like how it uses Corinthian Orders in its International Style, a very rear example but yet magnificent.

Very beautiful and unique. As phallic as they come but it's done in a good way with a style that isn't seen in many places.

OP, I think you are thinking of the Buffalo city hall, not the New York city hall.