Bank of America Corporate Center, Charlotte

The Bank of America Corporate Center stands tall at 871 feet in Uptown Charlotte. Built in 1992, it holds the title of North Carolina's tallest building and is the tallest between Philadelphia and Atlanta, boasting 60 stories. Designed by César Pelli, an Argentine architect, in collaboration with HKS Architects, it ranks as the 90th tallest globally and the 26th tallest in the United States. Locally, it's often dubbed the Taj McColl in honor of Hugh McColl, the then-chairman of North Carolina National Bank (NCNB), who spearheaded its construction. On clear days, its towering presence can be spotted with the naked eye from up to 35 miles away.

Construction began on January 3, 1989, on the site where the tower now stands. During the groundwork, traces of gold were unearthed in the granite, a nod to Charlotte's historical significance in America's gold rush era of the 1830s. The tower was officially unveiled on October 17, 1992, following lively celebrations that featured entertainment, daredevil rappelling from Fort Bragg's 16th Military Police Brigade, and a spectacular fireworks display.

Today, the Bank of America Corporate Center houses the global headquarters of Bank of America. Its distinctive crown-shaped spire sets it apart architecturally, glowing from within thanks to floodlit glass rather than external reflection like the Chrysler Building. Inside, visitors are greeted by a monumental fresco by artist Ben Long, one of the largest of its kind in the world, which took over a year to complete using traditional fresco techniques.

Adjacent to the tower is the North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, offering three performance venues and providing stunning views of the tower through various skylights.