The Samitaur Tower is constructed at the corner of Hayden Avenue and National Boulevard. That intersection is the primary entry point into the re-developed zone of Culver City.

Internal to the burgeoning site area of new media companies, graphic designers, and general office tenants, the Samitaur Tower will symbolize the advent of this important new urban development.

In addition to the large number of cars passing the site, a new surface passenger railway system, the Expo Line light rail, currently under construction, will pass by the Hayden-National corner, with two local stops several blocks east and west of the site. The presence of the train riders guarantees an enormous visibility for the Samitaur Tower, as well as an increase in pedestrians in the area, who will walk past the tower from the train stops to local businesses.

All the buildings in the immediate area are governed by a 56 foot height limit. The Samitaur Tower height is an important exception to the local height rule. The project will be 72 feet high, measured from grade, and will include an open-air, excavated, concrete seating and staging space at its base that begins at minus 12 feet.

The Samitaur Tower consists of five circular steel rings, approximately 30 feet in diameter. The rings are stacked vertically at 12 foot floor-to-floor intervals, and, as the height increases, the rings are staggered in plan, back and forth – to the north, east, south, and west – acknowledging various tower views from different vantage points in the area.

The Samitaur Tower has a glazed elevator in an enclosed glass shaft, and an open stairway to the top, so the tower will be used as a viewing platform to overlook the city, and may provide seating for dining on several levels for the adjacent restaurant.

The Samitaur Tower will be fabricated from standard structural steel sections – wide flange beams and columns, and channels – with panelized walls made of ½ inch thick steel plate. All the shapes and components will be shop fabricated, and delivered to the site for erection. Because of earthquake design constraints, the tower will be supported on a deep foundation of concrete piles with a continuous grade beam tying the piles together.

Photo Credits: Tom Bonner

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