Building the Wilshire Grand: L.A.’s tallest tower

Serious construction is about to begin on something big in downtown Los Angeles: a building that when completed will be the tallest skyscraper west of the Mississippi. Called the Wilshire Grand Tower, it will feature more than 900 hotel rooms, offices and retail spaces. It will be topped by a sail-shaped glass pediment crown. Because of its height alone — 1,100 feet with a spire — the skyscraper is sure to become an L.A. architectural icon. The building’s grand opening is years away, but we recently got an opportunity to visit the construction site on the corner of Figueroa and Wilshire.

Some workers on the Wilshire Grand Project will spend the next two years helping to build the skyscraper. Although much has changed in how skyscrapers have been built over the past century, a lot of it still comes down to muscle, sweat and strong backs. (Photo by Saul Gonzalez)