Downtown Los Angeles, 1960, and the Richfield Tower, 1929-1969

1960, Downtown Los Angeles, looking south on the Harbor Freeway from the Four-Level.  Thanks to Historic Los Angeles.

1937, View of Richfield Building from a short distance away.  It was razed in 1969 to make way for the Arco Plaza at 505 S. Flower Street.  Thank you to LAPL.

Close-up of the iconic Richfield Tower.  Thanks to Hunter Kerhart for these close-ups of the Richfield Tower.  Martin Turnbull offers some beautiful pics of the building too.  Check them out.

So it looks like the front of the building opens onto 6th Street and to the left is Flower.  But it has a Flower Street address.  Hmm. 

Located at 555 South Flower Street between Figueroa and Flower, north of 6th Street.  

Features a black and gold Art Deco façade.  The unusual color scheme was meant to symbolize the "black gold" that was Richfield's business."

This comment on its architecture was interesting, 

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. 

Martin Turnbull has some terrific photos of the tower's exterior and interior, including the lobby elevators and ceiling.  It is, er, was beautiful.  

1966.