Location:  Los Angeles, California

Client:  The Ratkovich Company

Originally built in 1971, located across the street from LACMA, and designed by William Pereira, 5900 Wilshire remains the tallest building along the Miracle Mile. In the original design, tenants and visitors used the north-facing open-air breezeway to access the building lobby with the security desk placed to one side, which did not have visual access to all of the elevator lobbies. The main concerns of the new building owners, The Ratkovich Company, were to enhance commercial and market viability for the building. This was achieved by clarifying the circulation, relocating the security console, and creating a new first impression.

The renovation created a Class A building lobby reception area and a new “front door” for the building along Wilshire Blvd. by removing the existing non-structural concrete column covers, and enclosing and conditioning the tall volume space and enclosing former outdoor space. A minimalist, point-supported high performance glass curtain wall system was added between each of the remaining two-story high column bays. This strategy helps to create a connection from inside to outside, with landscape improvements planned to enhance the indoor / outdoor connection. Interior finishes are natural stone flooring, custom patterned glass panels with stainless steel details and features “pillowed” leather walls around the core. A new large scale ceiling panel also adds an organic texture to the ceiling and emphasizes the volume of the lobby. Furnishings are classic Florence Knoll pieces finished in bold fabrics and leathers, which along with the “pillowed” wall, add color to the otherwise neutral interiors. This color again enhances the evening views into the space and when viewed at night becomes a beacon along Wilshire Boulevard.