PropertyCasualty360 Names Top 10 Best Insurance Buildings

May 30, 2012 at 09:45 AM
Share & Print

Insurance companies call some of the most stunning pieces of architecture home. From striking futuristic and eco-friendly designs to classic and iconic structures, these headquarters are beautiful works of art.

In this slideshow, the editors of PropertyCasualty360, LifeHealthPro's sister site, present their selection for the top 10 best life and health insurance headquarters, listed in no particular order.

Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance building

Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Building, Hartford

Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance's "Boat Building" is the world's first two-sided building. The tower has only two curved sides, giving it an unusual cylinder-type shape. Erected in 1963, the 13-story modernist building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Mutual of Omaha building

Mutual of Omaha Building, Omaha, Neb.

The Mutual of Omaha Building was built in 1970 and is the sixth tallest building in Omaha, Neb. Adjacent to the building is the Mutual of Omaha Dome, an underground facility topped by a large glass dome.

The building is famous for featuring a large photograph of an Olympic swimmer in June 2008 on its north face. The following year, the building was adorned with a large photo of a tiger to celebrate the company's centennial.

MetLife NYC

MetLife Building, New York City

The MetLife Building is a recognizable element in the Manhattan skyline. Originally called the Pan Am Building, it is one of the 50 tallest buildings in the U.S.

The building was opened in 1963, and in 1981 it was purchased by MetLife. Over the years, Pan Am's presence in the building dwindled, until the company ceased operations. In 1992, MetLife removed Pan Am signage from the building.

John Hancock Boston

John Hancock Tower, Boston

The John Hancock Tower, located in Boston, Mass., is the tallest building in New England—a distinction it has held for more than 30 years. Completed in 1976, the firm that designed the building was presented with a National Honor Award by the American Institute of Architects the following year. In 2011, the AIA conferred on it the AIA 25 Year Award.

John Hancock Chicago

John Hancock Center, Chicago

When the John Hancock Center in Chicago, Ill. was completed in 1968, it was the tallest building in the world outside of New York City. Today it is the sixth tallest building in the U.S.

The John Hancock Observatory competes with P&C best insurance headquarters Willis Tower, located across town in the financial district. The building's observatory has full 360-degree views of the city—up to four states and over 80 miles. The Observatory has Chicago's only open-air SkyWalk.

The 44th-floor sky lobby inside the building features America's highest indoor swimming pool.

Transamerica Pyramid, SF

Transamerica Pyramid, San Francisco

Although the Transamerica Pyramid is no longer the headquarters of Transamerica, the building is strongly associated with the company—even appearing in its logo. Completed in 1972, it is the tallest skyscraper in the San Francisco skyline and is also a symbol of the city.

NY Life

New York Life Building, New York City

The New York Life Building is a massive, imposing structure that occupies the full block between 26th and 27th Streets, Madison Avenue and Park Avenue South—something you don't see often in New York City. The 40-story building is known for its iconic gold-colored pyramid, which consists of 25,000 gold-leaf tiles.

The building was designated an official New York City landmark by the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission in 2000, and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places as a National Historic Landmark, designated in 1972.

Aetna Hartford

Aetna, Hartford

The Aetna headquarters in Hartford, Conn. is the world's largest colonial revival building. The building—completed in 1930—is also the largest office building in Conn., and is crowned by a tall Georgian tower inspired by the Old State House in downtown Hartford.

Prudential Boston

Prudential Tower, Boston

Colloquially known as The Pru, the Prudential Tower in Boston is the second-tallest building in Boston, behind the John Hancock Tower—unless you include its radio mast, which makes it the tallest building in the city. When it was completed in 1964, The Pru was the tallest building in the world outside of New York City.

The building features an observation deck on its 50th floor called the "Prudential Skywalk" and is the highest observation deck open to the public in New England.

On special occasions, LED lights near the top of the building are illuminated in nearly every color, adding a distinct feature to the Boston skyline.

Humana Tower

Humana Tower, Louisville, Ky

The Humana Tower in downtown Louisville, Ky. is locally known as "The Milk Carton" thanks to its basic design. Each of its sides is designed slightly different, up to a sloping pyramid style for the upper few floors. Another feature of note on the building is its exterior construction of flat pink granite.

The American Institute of Architects awarded the Humana Building the National Honor Award in 1987. Time Magazine listed it as one of the ten best buildings of the 1980s.

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

Related Stories

Resource Center