California does not boast structures to rival the height of the United States' tallest buildings, such as Chicago's Willis Tower and New York City's Empire State Building. The state is home, however, to a number of towers measuring between approximately 700 and 1000 feet. In addition to the towers currently standing in California, several structures that are planned to measure at least 700 feet are proposed for construction, as of January 2011. These include seven towers in the Transbay district of San Francisco and the Encinal Tower in Oakland.
The tallest building in California, 10th tallest in the United States and 43nd tallest in the world, the U.S. Bank Tower is located on West Fifth Street in downtown Los Angeles. The tower measures 1,018 feet and has 73 floors. Construction began in 1987, and upon completion of the tower in 1989, it was the seventh tallest building in the United States. The U.S. Bank Tower has the world's highest helicopter landing pad and was shown as the first building to be destroyed by aliens in the 1996 movie "Independence Day."
Sutro Tower is situated on top on the Twin Peaks hills in San Francisco. The tallest structure in San Francisco, the tower measures 977 feet high. The tower was completed in 1973 and provides transmission facilities for 11 television stations, four radio stations and 20 wireless communications services in the Bay Area. The tower has more than 100 antennae and is painted with white and aviation orange stripes, in accordance FAA requirements.
Aon Center is an office block located on Wilshire Boulevard in downtown Los Angeles. The tower is 860 feet high and has 62 floors. It was the tallest tower in California from its completion in 1973 until 1989, when it was surpassed by the U.S. Bank Tower. On May 4th, 1988, a fire that started on the 12th floor injured 40 people and killed one.
Located on Montgomery Street in San Francisco's Financial District, Transamerica Pyramid is the tallest building in the city. The tower has 48 floors of retail and office space and measures 850 feet. Construction of Transamerica Pyramid began in 1969 and was completed in 1972. The Pyramid's foundation is made up of a steel and concrete block sitting 52 feet underground, and the tower is designed to move during earthquakes.
