Bank of America Tower (Miami)

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Close-up street level photo of the Bank of America Tower in downtown Miami (opposite side).
Photo: Marc Averette

The Bank of America Tower (formerly the CenTrust Tower) is a 47-story, landmark office tower in Miami, Florida. Built for CenTrust Savings & Loan in 1987, the 47-story building is the third highest skyscraper in Miami and in Florida at a height of 625 feet (191 m) and is known for its elaborate night-time illuminations and its dramatic three glass tiers. Designed the by Pei Cobb Freed & Partners architectural firm, the tower consists of two separate structures: A 11-story parking garage owned by the city and the 37-story office tower built upon the air rights of the garage. Preliminary planning for the tower began in February 1980; construction on the garage began by November. The garage was completed in February 1983 and the tower began construction a year later. In August 1984, while the tower was under construction, a 5-alarm fire began on the ninth floor; construction was subsequently delayed for several weeks. On December 15, 1985, the tower was lit for the first time in Miami Dolphins aqua and snowflakes.

By February 1987, the complex was complete and it featured the world's only elevated people mover station in a skyscraper (Knight Center station). It also gained notoriety for its luxurious interiors, including a skylobby on the 11th floor covered in marble and gold and a 10,000 sq. ft. outdoor terrace. Also its indoor gym features mahogany cabinets. The tower is connected to the James L. Knight Center by a pedestrian walkway and on the first floor is a retail spine covered with green marble. The tower contains 1.16 million square feet with 503,000 square feet of office space and a 535,000 square foot, 1,500 space parking garage.

The roof of the building was the set of Gloria Estefan's 1994 video for "Turn The Beat Around". The building is also one of many featured on the backdrop of the stage on The Tonight Show.