Wilshire Grand Center: History, Height, and the 12 Best Gift Ideas Inspired by LA's Tallest
The complete guide to Wilshire Grand Center — its 2017 opening, its 1,100-foot height, the LA helipad-rule exception, and the best gift ideas tied to the tallest building west of the Mississippi.
Wilshire Grand Center: History, Height, and the 12 Best Gift Ideas Inspired by LA's Tallest
Quick answer: Wilshire Grand Center opened in June 2017, stands 1,100 feet (335 meters) tall, and is the tallest building in Los Angeles and the tallest building west of the Mississippi River. Designed by AC Martin Partners and developed by Korean Air, it was the first LA skyscraper allowed to be built without a flat helipad roof — a rule change that ended the flat-topped era of LA skyscrapers and made the building's sail-and-spire crown possible. The 12 best gift ideas inspired by the building: a 3D-printed Los Angeles skyline with Wilshire Grand featured, a print of the lit-up spire at twilight, jewelry with the building's coordinates (34.0500°N, 118.2580°W), or a book about Korean Air's LA development.
Wilshire Grand Center is the building that ended LA's "flat-roof era." From 1974 to 2014, every LA skyscraper was required by city ordinance to have a flat rooftop helipad. The rule was for emergency helicopter access — but it had a side effect of making every tall LA building look flat-topped and architecturally muted. Wilshire Grand fought a four-year battle to overturn the rule. Its sail-and-spire crown is the visible result.
This guide covers the essential history, the building's facts, and the twelve best gift ideas inspired by the tower.
Essential facts about Wilshire Grand Center
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Architect | AC Martin Partners (David Martin) |
| Construction | 2014 to 2017 |
| Opened | June 23, 2017 |
| Height to roof | 1,005 feet (306 meters) |
| Height with spire | 1,100 feet (335 meters) |
| Floors | 73 |
| Structural innovation | Reinforced concrete core, ductile concrete shear walls |
| Currently tallest in | Los Angeles |
| Currently tallest west of Mississippi | Yes |
| Previous LA tallest | US Bank Tower (1989-2017) |
| Owner | Korean Air |
| Main tenant | InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown (hotel) |
| Distinctive feature | Sail-shaped spire (first non-flat LA roof since 1974) |
| Construction cost | $1.35 billion |
| Address | 900 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles |
| Coordinates | 34.0500°N, 118.2580°W |
The single concrete pour for the building's mat foundation in February 2014 was the largest continuous concrete pour in US history — 21,000 cubic yards over 18 hours by 208 trucks. The pour was so large the construction team built an internal road network just to manage truck flow.
Why Wilshire Grand reshaped LA
Three reasons the building changed Los Angeles architecturally:
- The flat-roof rule reversal. The 1974 helipad ordinance had defined LA's skyline for 40 years. Wilshire Grand's exception (granted 2014) opened the door for spires, crowns, and varied silhouettes in future LA skyscrapers.
- The new tallest. US Bank Tower had been LA's tallest from 1989 to 2017. Wilshire Grand passes it by 82 feet to take the title — the first LA skyscraper since the Library Tower (US Bank's original name) to claim it.
- The Korean development moment. Korean Air's $1.35 billion investment in Downtown LA marked the start of significant Asian capital reshaping the LA skyline.
The 12 best gift ideas inspired by Wilshire Grand Center
1. A 3D-printed Los Angeles skyline with Wilshire Grand featured
A hand-finished sculpture of the actual LA skyline — Wilshire Grand, US Bank Tower, City National Plaza, Aon Center, Bank of America Plaza. The sail-and-spire crown of Wilshire Grand is unmistakable. Medium $69, Large $99. LA collection. Hand-printed, ships in three to five days, free US shipping over $50.
2. A framed photograph of the lit-up spire at twilight
The spire illuminates at night — the building looks dramatic against the LA sky. Archival prints from $40–$120 framed.
3. A signed print from a contemporary LA photographer
Wilshire Grand from across Downtown or from the 110 freeway. $80–$300 framed.
4. A book about LA's skyline transformation
Los Angeles Architecture: The Contemporary Condition (Pierluigi Serraino). Covers the post-2014 LA tower boom. $35–$60.
5. Jewelry with the building's coordinates (34.0500°N, 118.2580°W)
A necklace or bracelet engraved with Wilshire Grand's exact latitude and longitude. $60–$150 from Etsy jewelers.
6. An InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown stay
A hotel stay or dining gift card at the building's 70th-floor restaurant (Dekkadance) or 73rd-floor bar (Spire 73). $100–$500.
7. A book about David Martin and AC Martin Partners
The architects whose family firm has shaped LA for three generations. $40–$80.
8. A custom illustration of Wilshire Grand at sunset
Bespoke artwork showing the sail-spire crown against pink LA sky. $80–$200.
9. A book on Korean American history in Los Angeles
The Story of Korean Americans in LA (Bong-Youn Choy). Context for the Korean Air investment. $25–$50.
10. A vintage LA architecture book pre-2014
LA architecture documentation before the post-2014 boom. $25–$60.
11. A LEGO Architecture LA set
Includes Hollywood Sign, Griffith Observatory, and modern LA buildings. $50–$120.
12. A black-and-white print of LA skyline pre-2017 vs post-2017
The skyline transformation. Comparison prints. $60–$200 framed.
FAQ
How tall is Wilshire Grand Center?
Wilshire Grand Center stands 1,100 feet (335 meters) to the tip of its spire and 1,005 feet (306 meters) to the occupied roof. It has 73 floors. When completed in 2017, it became the tallest building in Los Angeles and the tallest building west of the Mississippi River.
Is Wilshire Grand the tallest building in California?
Yes. As of 2026, Wilshire Grand Center at 1,100 feet is the tallest building in California, in Los Angeles, and west of the Mississippi River. The next tallest in California is Salesforce Tower in San Francisco at 1,070 feet.
Who designed Wilshire Grand Center?
David Martin and the team at AC Martin Partners (now AC Martin) designed the building. The firm has been operating in LA since 1906 and is one of the longest-active architectural firms in the city. The structural engineers were Brandow & Johnston.
Why does Wilshire Grand have a sail-shaped spire?
Because LA changed its building code to allow it. From 1974 to 2014, LA required every skyscraper to have a flat rooftop helipad for emergency helicopter access. Wilshire Grand fought a four-year battle to win an exception in 2014 — replacing the helipad requirement with alternative fire-safety measures. The sail-and-spire design was the visible architectural payoff. The exception opened the door for future LA skyscrapers to have crowns, spires, and varied silhouettes.
What is the best gift for someone who loves Wilshire Grand?
A 3D-printed LA skyline where Wilshire Grand's sail-spire crown is featured — context shows the building reshaping LA's silhouette. Pair with a print of the lit-up spire or an InterContinental hotel stay. See the LA collection.
When did Wilshire Grand replace US Bank Tower as LA's tallest?
June 23, 2017 — the official opening date of Wilshire Grand. US Bank Tower (originally Library Tower) had been LA's tallest from 1989 to 2017 — a 28-year reign. Wilshire Grand exceeded it by 82 feet (with spire).
Where is Wilshire Grand Center located?
900 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, in Downtown LA's Financial District. The building sits at the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and South Figueroa Street, two blocks east of the 110 freeway.
Related reading
- Los Angeles skyline buildings guide
- US Bank Tower LA history
- Best gifts for someone from Los Angeles
- Los Angeles souvenirs that aren't tacky
- Best Hollywood gifts
Browse the Los Angeles skyline collection. Medium $69 most-shipped, Large $99 statement piece. Free US shipping over $50.