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

1928, In 1928, the construction of Richfield Tower, also known as the Richfield Oil Company Building, began in downtown Los Angeles. Designed by architect Stiles Clements, the building quickly became one of the city's most notable architectural landmarks. At the time of its completion in 1929, the tower was a striking example of the Art Deco style, featuring a sleek, modern design that stood in stark contrast to the more traditional structures of Los Angeles. The 13-story office tower served as the headquarters for the Richfield Oil Company, one of the largest and most influential oil companies in California at the time. With its distinctive, stepped silhouette and bold, geometric lines, Richfield Tower embodied the ambitious spirit of Los Angeles during the late 1920s, a period when the city was transitioning into a burgeoning center for business and industry.  Thank you to Club Tepatlaxco Futbol.  Posted Wednesday, January 1, 2025.

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.