A Coalition of the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association | BuildWithStrength.com

Completed: 2016Project Size: 71,500 sq. ft.Project Cost: $60 million

Architect: Handel ArchitectsProject Owner: Trumark Urban

Completed: 2016Project Size: 71,500 sq. ft.Project Cost: $60 million

Architect: Handel ArchitectsProject Owner: Trumark Urban

The new Wilshire Grand Center is the tallest building not only in Los Angeles, but west of the Mississippi River. The property is stacked too – with a hotel, retail space, observation decks, shopping malls and an office complex. It’s no wonder the Wilshire Grand Center is expected to completely revitalize downtown Los Angeles.

01. A record-breaking amount of concrete.21,600 cubic yards of concrete was poured over the course of 20 hours, creating an 18-foot thick foundation. This broke the Guinness World Record previously set in 1999 during the construction of the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas (21,000 cubic yards).

02. Earthquake safe.The building’s design underwent the most sophisticated earthquake modeling to be performed on a structure in the history of Southern California.

03. Unique concrete core. The building’s design called for large windows in every room. This created a challenge for engineers building the structure’s core. To fulfill this challenge, the concrete core decreases in size on the building’s upper floors, measuring just 33 feet at its narrowest part.

04. Giving the lights of Tinsel Town a run for their money. The spire and entire exterior of the tower were filled with programmable LED lights. This allows advertisements and other light shows to be displayed on the structure.

CASE STUDY: FLEXIBILITY

900 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA

TAKING LOS ANGELES TO NEW HEIGHTS

WILSHIRE GRAND CENTERCompleted: 2017Project Height: 1,100 ft.Project Cost: $1.2 billionArchitect: AC Martin PartnersProject Owner: Hanjin Group