Los Angeles Skyscraper Count: 196 Towers Defining the 2024 Skyline
As of 2024, Los Angeles counts 196 completed buildings exceeding 150 meters (492 feet)—the international threshold for "skyscraper" status—making it the second-tallest skyline in the US after New York City (300+) and 17th globally.
The Tallest: Wilshire Grand Center
- Height: 335 m (1,100 ft) — 73 stories
- Completed: 2017
- Architect: AC Martin Partners
- Features: Sail-shaped crown, spire (not occupied), InterContinental Hotel, offices, observation deck
- Significance: First LA building to exceed 1,000 ft; ended US Bank Tower's 27-year reign
Top 10 Tallest (Completed)
| Rank | Building | Height (m/ft) | Floors | Year | Use |
|---|
| 1 | Wilshire Grand Center | 335 / 1,100 | 73 | 2017 | Hotel/Office |
| 2 | US Bank Tower | 310 / 1,018 | 73 | 1989 | Office |
| 3 | Aon Center | 262 / 858 | 62 | 1974 | Office |
| 4 | Two California Plaza | 229 / 750 | 54 | 1992 | Office |
| 5 | Gas Company Tower | 228 / 749 | 52 | 1991 | Office |
| 6 | Bank of America Plaza | 224 / 735 | 55 | 1974 | Office |
| 7 | 777 Tower | 221 / 725 | 52 | 1991 | Office |
| 8 | Wells Fargo Tower | 220 / 720 | 54 | 1983 | Office |
| 9 | Figueroa at Wilshire | 218 / 717 | 53 | 1990 | Office |
| 10 | City National Tower | 213 / 699 | 52 | 1972 | Office |
Geographic Distribution
- Downtown/Financial District: ~60% (Bunker Hill, Historic Core, South Park)
- Century City: ~15% (Fox Plaza, Century Plaza Towers, Constellation Place)
- Koreatown/Wilshire Corridor: ~10% (Wilshire Grand, Solair, The Kensington)
- Hollywood: ~8% (Hollywood & Vine, Palladium, Yucca/Argyle projects)
- Other: Warner Center, LAX area, Long Beach, Pasadena
Construction Pipeline (2024)
- Under construction: 12 towers 150m+ (Angels Landing, 4th & Spring, Figueroa Centre, etc.)
- Approved/proposed: 25+ additional
- Trend: Mixed-use (residential/hotel/retail), slender towers, transit-oriented
Historical Context
- 1904-1957: 150-ft height limit (fire safety)
- 1957-1968: City Hall (138 m) tallest
- 1968-1989: Union Bank Plaza (155 m) → multiple 200m+
- 1989-2017: US Bank Tower (310 m) tallest
- Post-2017: Wilshire Grand; residential boom; skyline diversification
Seismic Engineering
All LA high-rises exceed California's stringent seismic codes: base isolation, viscous dampers, moment frames, performance-based design. Wilshire Grand's concrete core + steel perimeter with buckling-restrained braces exemplifies state-of-the-art.
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