Above a sea of muted rectangular skyscrapers, one shining emblem of progress surmounts every other high-rise on the Atlanta skyline. There, with its beams intertwined and its cap illuminated, stands a beacon of hope for the city’s weary travelers: the Bank of America Plaza.
Our campus, diverse and incredible in its architecture, is overshadowed only by this one outstanding structure. Some refer to it as the North Star of Georgia Tech. Wherever we may wander from our humble dormitories, be it to Piedmont or Buckhead, our shimmering guardian watches over from afar, leading us back whence we came. Who are the inhabitants of this building? Why does it loom above our campus, comforting night owls as they gaze upon the city from their dimly lit lounges?
Its purpose is endearingly simple for such a grand façade: offices for a number of businesses, including banks and law firms. The towering giant not only dominates the metropolitan view but also makes its mark on international rankings of height. Our very own colossus of Peachtree is the 68th tallest building in the world, the tenth tallest in the country, and the tallest building in any state capital. It is an entity so iconic that its image precedes its title — locals refer to it as the ‘pencil’ or ‘cigarette’ on account of its distinct triangular profile in daylight and its welcoming orange glow after dark.
Whether known by name or by nature, the Plaza building is an integral part of the Tech culture. It guides us home from adventures or to the comforting, pizza-scented booths of North Avenue. Though plane, train or car may carry us away, our North Star remains resolute, each time leading us back home.
