MTA Building
Encyclopedia
The MTA Building is a 398 ft (121 m) high rise office tower in Los Angeles
, California
. Completed in 1995, it serves as the main headquarters for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
. The $300 million building is the main fixture of the Patsaouras Transit Plaza and features exquisite artwork throughout the exterior facades and the interior lobby. The building's design features a blend of contextual influences of 1930's Hispanic-Deco and post-modern architecture.
Prior to its completion, the building was criticized for its use of expensive construction materials as a public agency. One critic dubbed it as a "Taj Mahal" in reference to its Italian granite, English brick and a $300,000 aquarium. However, proponents of the project argued that it the project will revive a forgotten but historically important part of Downtown and create a new public place for a city with many communities but few communal gathering places.
Officials contend that the MTA-owned headquarters will save money by bringing together over 2,000 workers scattered around town at leased quarters. Once the bonds are paid off in 30 years, the MTA will own its own headquarters and can divert the money previously spent on rent for public transit, they say.
Officials say the new building -- built under budget and on time also will help put an end to the rivalries between staffs of the old transit agencies by bringing them together under the same roof.
Features four levels of underground parking.
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Completed in 1995, it serves as the main headquarters for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority is the California state-chartered regional transportation planning agency and public transportation operating agency for the County of Los Angeles formed in 1993 out of a merger of the Southern California Rapid Transit District and the...
. The $300 million building is the main fixture of the Patsaouras Transit Plaza and features exquisite artwork throughout the exterior facades and the interior lobby. The building's design features a blend of contextual influences of 1930's Hispanic-Deco and post-modern architecture.
Prior to its completion, the building was criticized for its use of expensive construction materials as a public agency. One critic dubbed it as a "Taj Mahal" in reference to its Italian granite, English brick and a $300,000 aquarium. However, proponents of the project argued that it the project will revive a forgotten but historically important part of Downtown and create a new public place for a city with many communities but few communal gathering places.
Officials contend that the MTA-owned headquarters will save money by bringing together over 2,000 workers scattered around town at leased quarters. Once the bonds are paid off in 30 years, the MTA will own its own headquarters and can divert the money previously spent on rent for public transit, they say.
Officials say the new building -- built under budget and on time also will help put an end to the rivalries between staffs of the old transit agencies by bringing them together under the same roof.
Features four levels of underground parking.