Transamerica Center

In 1965, when City Hall was still the tallest building in Los Angeles, Transamerica put up the city's first modern high-rise. At 32 stories, the Transamerica Center proved you could build tall buildings in the earthquake zone, and it helped usher in the new downtown. Strangely, the new downtown developed half a mile north, making the Transamerica Center that lone building way down south at 11th -- the only place downtown with an impeccable view of...downtown.

Go to the top floor for steaks and martinis at Windows restaurant or to the garden level for one of the best cafeterias in the city. -- Michael Dare