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For as long as I can remember I always loved LA's since I first layed eyes on it in May of 1984 when it was the Security Pacific Bank Tower. I love alot of the 70s skyscraper architecture. Love how it sits on the property at an angle and I love the architectural detail.
The one in Atlanta I honestly never liked. Never liked the color and I hate the pointed top.
I think the spire on the Atlanta BOA tower is pretty impressive, especially when you see it in person. I don't see the appeal of the L.A. building, but to each his own!
BTW, If you don't like buildings with pointed tops, you'd hate Atlanta's skyline - there are lots of buildings with pointed crowns. There was a bit of an obsession among archtects to include that feature on buildings back in the 80s and 90s.
Location: Baghdad by the Bay (San Francisco, California)
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I like Houston's best. It is a piece of "freeway architecture" that cannot really be appreciated at street level, but it looks so strong and imposing. To me, it's one of the best postmodern high rises of that era. So, I guess I can forgive Philip Johnson for obscuring his true masterpiece downtown, Pennzoil Place.
My second favorite, 555 California in San Francisco, doesn't get as much love as it deserves. Consider that it was completed in 1969, but would easily be mistaken for late 80s-mid 90s construction in most cities. Not bad to be able to tell a woman she looks 20 years younger than she is, right? It is very elegant in its materials and siting and blends form and function very well. SOM made several nods to this building's design in other skyscrapers they designed across the country.
After that, in order, I'd go with Atlanta and Charlotte. Less inspired designs and design statements, but "pretty" buildings. Seattle, NYC and Dallas follow those with buildings that are impressive for their height and prominence, but have a lame glass curtain wall aesthetic driving their design language.
I like Houston's best. It is a piece of "freeway architecture" that cannot really be appreciated at street level, but it looks so strong and imposing. To me, it's one of the best postmodern high rises of that era. So, I guess I can forgive Philip Johnson for obscuring his true masterpiece downtown, Pennzoil Place.
Yes! Are there many that can be appreciated from the street? These are huge buildings here.
Location: Baghdad by the Bay (San Francisco, California)
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The Houston one maximizes its block at the base, leaving a narrow sidewalk. The banking lobby is nice, but for architecture that resembles a cathedral, there's no procession to or through the structure, as one might expect, given better siting.
1. New York (people seem to forget about this one, which is the tallest BOA in country and is the newest and largest)
2. Charlotte (one of Cesar Pelli's best imo)
3. Houston - so unique and a nice postmodern take on a traditional Dutch design
4. Atlanta - I like the look from most angles and up close
5. Seattle - so tall and interesting from below
6. San Francisco - timeless and one of the buildings that spurred the creation of the word "Manhattanization"
7. Providence - I like deco
8. Jacksonville - decently interesting from a late 90s postmodern perspective and decently tall with a public viewing spot
9. Baltimore - cute
10. Orlando - a less striking "step up" version of Houston's, with half the height, but interesting nonetheless
Dallas's, Tampa's, and Miami's don't do it for me. There are others, as well. Charlotte alone has quite a few that are 30+ floors.
Bank of America is finishing up a new tower in Chicago along the river. It's not too bad and the base is neat. It's much, much better than what was on the same plot of land before. Not sure it's my favorite B of A tower, but it's not bad.
Not sure when they'll be done but I think they're pretty far along.
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