KPF Design New Tallest Residential in LA

Plans have been put forward for what developers expect to be the tallest residential building in the United States, west of Chicago, in the city of Los Angeles.

Designed by Kohn Pederson Fox and with an estimated cost of $1 billion the proposed project will essentially be a twin towered residential complex but will also include a 14 storey five star hotel.

Reaching a height of 250 metres / 820 feet and a total of 76 floors, the tallest of the towers will be a vivid and instantly recognisable addition to the famous L.A skyline whilst the smaller of the towers will reach a slightly less impressive 43 storeys.

The complex will be made up of 732 condominiums and 218 hotel rooms. It will also have 6 floors of underground parking for the use of residents and hotel patrons and will also have direct link to the Pershing Square Subway Station.

As impressive in stature the complex is, the actual design is somewhat understated. Made of the usual glass and steel the towers rise punctuated by balconies which will give residents unrivalled views of the surrounding district and also the local park.

The park has long been a magnet for the homeless but developers are eager to help fund improvements for the square that has long been neglected. Luckily for residents though the complex will include a 15th storey garden and two outdoor swimming pools so until improvements can be made they won’t have to venture into the park to enjoy a little greenery.

Developer David Houk has been acquiring land in the area since the 1970s but due to demand collapses in earlier decades it has only been recently viable to start redevelopment in the area, in fact the site of the project was originally the home of the Philharmonic Auditorium which was levelled in the 1980s to make way for such a project. Now with banks being more willing to give loans for developments in the downtown area things are looking up for developers and residents alike.

With committed financial backers, most of the required development permits and the beginnings of an environmental impact report underway construction could begin as early as 2008 with the smaller of the towers being ready for use by 2010.