Downtown Los Angeles, 1960, looking south on the Harbor Freeway from the 4-Level. Thanks to Historic Los Angeles.
featured a black and gold Art Deco façade. The unusual color scheme was meant to symbolize the "black gold" that was Richfield's business."
The building was covered with architectural terra cotta manufactured by Gladding, McBean, as was typical of many west coast buildings from this era. In an unusual move, all four sides were covered since they were all visible in the downtown location.
The 12-floor building was 372 feet (113 m) tall, including a 130-foot (40 m) tower atop the building, emblazoned vertically with the name "Richfield". Lighting on the tower was made to simulate an oilwell gusher and the motif was reused at some Richfield service stations.
And Martin Turnbull has some terrific photos of the tower's exterior and interior, including the lobby elevators and ceiling. It is, er, was beautiful.
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