Downtown Los Angeles (aka DTLA) is in the midst of an influx of construction and renovation projects not seen or experienced since the building boom of the Roaring 1920s. As the city is now planning for the 2028 Summer Olympics, the activity in DTLA is intensified. Developers are actively adding new hotels, restaurants, and apartments—in addition to updating the existing buildings and office spaces.

801 Tower on South Figueroa is among the downtown properties that have undergone significant renovations. Originally built in 1992, 801 Tower needed an extensive update to modernize the space and empower the property managers to embark on an ambitious repositioning campaign to attract new tenants. Transwestern Commercial Services assumed property management in 2014 and immediately began addressing critical building systems in the 462,626-square-foot facility. In 2018, the team started work on the corporate lobby renovations, including the exterior entrance. The design team’s objective was to create a grand entrance and strong presence that would mimic the building’s overall art deco style and offer a classic and clean motif. 

With expansive ceiling heights in the lobby, the team chose Crossville’s gauged porcelain tile panels as an ideal solution. Blending the beautiful neutral color tones of Calce Nero and I Naturali Pietra de Savoia Grigia, the entrance lobby revels in a sophisticated, contemporary style. Additionally, the tile panels were installed in the exterior portion of the entrance to seamlessly transition to the interior lobby area.

When considering cladding options for the exterior and interior of the space, the design team noted a few considerations, installation concerns, and budget. A major advantage of using the Crossville tile panels is the weight compared to other cladding options. These panels are light enough in weight to be handled by fewer workers. This is important to note for the 801 Tower project because of the expansive ceilings in the lobby area. If the architects had specified natural stone, the project team would have faced more time-consuming challenges and safety issues.

The panels not only offer a beautiful appearance for the building, but they will also be able to withstand the exterior weather elements and interior high traffic demands. The panels are innately resistant to UV rays and are highly scratch-proof, making them resistant to deep abrasion. Also, the panels are eco-friendly, as the body of the tiles is comprised of natural raw materials, and the tile does not release toxins into the environment.

With the renovations complete, 801 Tower earned the impressive LEED® Gold designation in 2017. Additionally, it received the Outstanding Building of the Year award from the Greater Los Angeles Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA). At 94% occupied, the 801 Tower is certainly one of the most recognized office spaces in the vibrant, revitalized Downtown Los Angeles district.