Star Wars‘ Darth Vader has become synonymous in our culture for darkness and evil. So much so that calling something or someone Darth Vader is a common insult. This applies to buildings, too. There actually are quite a few buildings around the USA nicknamed “the Darth Vader building” by local residents. Here are the top seven.
7. Real Name: Manhattan Family Courthouse
Location: 60 Lafayette Street New York, NY 10013
Reason: The black cube reminded people of the Death Star.
Trivia: Renovated in 2002 to remove the more forbidding elements
6. Real Name: Pacific Guardian Tower
Location: 1440 Kapiolani Boulevard Honolulu, HI 96814
Reason: Its gothic structure gives the tower a menacing feeling, just like Darth Vader
Trivia: Also nicknamed “the Batcave,” the tower was voted the ugliest building in Honolulu by readers of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin
5. Real name: 7101 Tower
Location: 7101 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS 66210
Reason: An ebony exterior on all sides reminded people of Vader’s sinister uniform
4. Real Name: Renaissance Tower
Location: 801 K Street, Sacramento CA 95814
Reason: The black exterior and glass, along with the hulking appearance, remind people of Darth Vader
3. Real name: One Exeter Plaza
Location: One Exeter Plaza, Boston
Reason: Residents complained about the height of the building blocking the view of the area. Also it has a dark mansard roof.
2. Real name: Sedgwick James Building
Location: Fourth and Blanchard, Seattle, Wa
Reason: The building is tall and black, giving it a menacing appearance. Also, the squared-off shape reminds people of Vader’s helmet
Trivia: Tallest skyscraper in Washington
1. Real Name: Northbridge Centre
Location: Northbridge Centre, West Palm Beach, FL
Reason: The building is covered in black glass and black metal. Also, the north side looks like Vader’s helmet.
Trivia: The company mocked the building’s reputation by making a video of Darth Vader going to work at the Northbridge Centre
UPDATE: Edit for formatting
Which one do you think is the real Darth Vader building?
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First one fits the bill, but so does the Renaissance Tower.
I had no idea so many buildings were so Vaderesque! Time to adopt an easy new career: Tony Laplume, Sith Architect.
Cute…I mean "wicked" video. I think the first photo is the best Darth Vader building. The only thing wrong with it is it's not round.
The Manhattan Family Court House looks most like Darth Vader to me.
That is pure awesome.
I LOVE the video. 🙂 I never knew any buildings were called Darth Vader. This is awesome.
It was a surprise to me, too
I really love the video as well, thank you very much for sharing them.
structural engineers
Sedgwick James Building in Seattle is not the tallest building in Washington
The "Darth Vader" Of Seattle is NOT the tallest in WA. That would be the Columbia Tower.