It was everywhere. 2016. You couldn't scroll through Instagram without seeing a terrified tourist hurtling down a sheet of glass 1,000 feet above the pavement. The US Bank Tower slide Los Angeles—officially dubbed the Skyslide—was the city's darling for a hot minute. It was bold. It was terrifying. It was basically a 45-foot glass tube strapped to the side of the tallest building in the West at the time.
Then it vanished.
If you're planning a trip to DTLA and hoping to get that stomach-dropping thrill, I’ve got some news that might bum you out. The slide is gone. Not just "closed for maintenance" or "under renovation." It was physically dismantled. To understand why such a massive investment disappeared so quickly, you have to look at the weird, high-stakes world of Los Angeles real estate and the changing definition of what makes a skyscraper profitable.
The Rise and Fall of the Skyslide
OUE Ltd., a Singapore-based developer, bought the US Bank Tower in 2013. They spent about $31 million turning the top floors into "OUE Skyspace LA." The crown jewel was that slide. It was made of 1.25-inch thick chemical glass. It felt flimsy when you were in it, but engineers swore it could withstand hurricane-force winds. Honestly, it was a genius marketing move. It turned a boring office building into a "must-see" destination.
But things changed in 2020.
Silverstein Properties—the same group famous for the World Trade Center site—bought the building for $430 million. That was a massive haircut from its previous valuation. Silverstein didn't want a carnival. They wanted high-end tenants. They wanted tech companies and law firms who didn't want to share an elevator with a bachelor party wearing "Slide or Die" t-shirts.
Why the US Bank Tower slide Los Angeles had to go
Silverstein’s CEO, Marty Burger, was pretty blunt about it. The vision for the building shifted from a tourist trap back to a "Class A" office space. The pandemic shifted how people work, and to get people back into offices, the environment had to be premium. A glass slide on the 70th floor screams "tourist attraction," not "global headquarters."
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By 2021, the deconstruction began. If you walk by 633 West Fifth Street today, you won’t see that glass protrusion. The 69th and 70th floors are being reimagined. They’re adding more outdoor space, but it’s for the people who work there, not for someone paying $25 to scream for four seconds.
What the Experience Was Actually Like
If you never got to ride it, let me paint the picture. You'd go up to the 70th floor. You’d get a gray mat. You sat on it, tucked your feet in, and a confused-looking attendant would give you a nudge.
The ride lasted maybe five seconds.
You’d slide from the 70th floor down to the 69th-floor observation deck. Because the slide was glass, you could see the street directly below you. It was a total head trip. Most people spent the first three seconds realization-shocked and the last two seconds trying not to crash into the padded wall at the bottom.
- The glass was 45 feet long.
- It sat 1,000 feet above the sidewalk.
- It cost around $25-$33 depending on the package.
Looking back, it was a bit of a gimmick. Was it worth the price? Probably not for the ride itself. But the view from the observation deck was undeniably the best in the city. You could see from the San Gabriel Mountains all the way to the Pacific Ocean on a clear day.
The Lawsuits and the "Danger" Factor
It wasn't all fun and games. Shortly after opening, the US Bank Tower slide Los Angeles hit some legal turbulence. A woman from New York sued, claiming she broke her ankle because she couldn't slow down enough at the bottom. Then there were reports of people getting "carpet burn" or minor scrapes.
When you build something that’s never been done before, you’re basically a guinea pig. The Skyslide was a feat of engineering, but it was also a liability nightmare. While the lawsuits didn't officially shut it down, they certainly didn't help the "premium office" vibe the new owners were going for.
DTLA Alternatives: Where to Go Now
Since the Skyslide is a ghost of the past, you might be wondering where to get your height fix in Downtown LA. You have options, though none of them involve sliding down glass.
InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown (Wilshire Grand Center)
This is now the tallest building in the city. Go to the 73rd floor. There’s a bar called Spire 73. It’s the highest open-air bar in the Western Hemisphere. No slide, but the wind up there will make you feel just as precarious. It’s pricey, but the view is superior to what the US Bank Tower offered because you're looking down on the US Bank Tower.
The Broad
If you want something "Instagrammable" without the vertigo, head over to Grand Ave. It’s a short walk from the tower. It’s free (with a reservation), and the architecture is wild.
City Hall Observation Deck
This is the best-kept secret in LA. It’s free. It’s outdoors. It’s on the 27th floor. It’s not 1,000 feet up, but it gives you a great perspective of the civic center.
The Future of the US Bank Tower
The building isn't dying; it's just growing up. Silverstein Properties is betting big on the "amenitization" of the workplace. We’re talking about high-end fitness centers, juice bars, and sleek lounges. The space where people used to land on mats is being turned into sophisticated terrace space.
It’s a reflection of the larger trend in urban planning. The "experience economy" of the mid-2010s is being replaced by a desire for "wellness" and "functional luxury." People don't want to slide; they want to sit in a designer chair with a laptop and a $9 latte while looking at the sunset.
Fact Check: Common Misconceptions
People often confuse the US Bank Tower with the Wilshire Grand. Just to be clear:
- The US Bank Tower is the one with the circular "crown" that lights up at night.
- The Wilshire Grand is the one with the sail-like top and the spire.
- The slide was ONLY on the US Bank Tower.
Another weird myth: some people think the slide broke or fell. Nope. It was safely removed. It was a business decision, pure and simple. The revenue from the tourist tickets didn't outweigh the value of attracting a massive corporate tenant who wanted a "quiet, professional" building.
Actionable Steps for Your DTLA Visit
If you were specifically looking for the US Bank Tower slide Los Angeles, pivot your plans slightly to still have a great day in the area.
- Check the weather first. LA smog is real. If it’s a hazy day, don’t bother paying for a high-altitude bar or deck. You won’t see anything.
- Book Spire 73 in advance. If you want that "top of the world" feeling, that's your best replacement. It has a cover charge after a certain hour, so go early if you're cheap.
- Visit the Last Bookstore. It’s a few blocks away. It’s got that same "weird LA" vibe the slide had, but it’s much more permanent.
- Don't look for the ticket booth. I still see people wandering around the base of the US Bank Tower looking for the Skyspace entrance. Save your steps. The entrance is closed, and the signage has been stripped.
The Skyslide was a product of its time—a pre-pandemic era obsessed with viral moments and "doing it for the 'gram." While it’s a bummer it’s gone, its removal marks the beginning of a new era for the Los Angeles skyline. The city is moving away from gimmicks and back toward being a functional, albeit expensive, hub for global business.
If you really need to slide, you’re probably better off hitting a water park in Anaheim. But for the views? Stick to the rooftop bars. The drinks are better, and the chances of a broken ankle are significantly lower.