Tower Pierces Airport Height Limit : Office Building Approved Under Air Space Sales Plan

Tower 17, a $26-million office structure under construction at Douglas Plaza, adjacent to John Wayne Airport, marks a breakthrough in the 15-story code barrier for that area.

It is the first 17-story development to be approved by the Orange County Board of Supervisors under its recently approved plan for selling air space above 150 feet at the airport.

Tower 17 is being built by McDonnell Douglas Corp. through its Irvine-based real estate subsidiary, the Douglas Development Co., developer of Douglas Plaza.

Sweeping Views

Located at the corner of Von Karman Avenue and Martin Street, Irvine, the project was designed by Herbert Nadel & Partners in a cylindrical form encircling a truncated square that allows for multifaceted lease space and 12 corner offices on each floor, with sweeping views of the airport, Irvine Ranch and the Pacific Ocean.

The steel-framed structure will have a skin of highly polished white Georgia marble, silver reflective glass and accent strips of polished stainless steel. Each floor will have separate electrical meters and air conditioning.

The building has a total area of 238,000 square feet and will be served by five high-speed elevators and a separate freight elevator. The design provides a multistory, secured parking structure connected to the building by a tunnel.

A free-standing, 12-sided commercial concierge pavilion designed like a Space-Age saucer unit, will provide Tower 17 tenants with courier and limousine service, automobile maintenance, vault facilities, food service and notary public.

The 50-acre Douglas Plaza was begun in 1974 and now has one hotel, eight office buildings, two restaurants, and a 20,000-square-foot retail center. Completion of the overall project, with three additional high-rise towers, is expected by 1995.

McCarthy/Saffell & McAdam are the contractors, financing is being provided by Travelers Life Insurance Co. and leasing is through Douglas Development Co.