Tempe City Hall is known for its striking inverted-pyramid shape, with tinted glass walls angled at 45 degrees so every window naturally has shade. Inside, it's round, with an elevator in the center and offices around the sides. The pyramid is surrounded by a sunken garden; platforms and walkways lead pedestrians into the garden level and across it to the building entrances.It was built on the site of the former City Hall, which was built in 1914, but demolished when city leaders believed both the building and downtown area to be deteriorating. They proposed moving the building south, but City Council voted 4-3 to stay downtown. The subsequent building became a symbol of the city's confidence in downtown and pushed Mill Avenue and the rest of downtown toward redevelopment.
{}