Currently owned by The Muller Company and alternately known as Mullrock Tower 17, the Airport Tower in Irvine has been an Orange County architectural standout since its completion in 1987. Seventeen stories tall and distinctively circular, the Tower sports sky blue windows, dramatically framed by darker blue panes, stainless steel stripes, and white marble tiles. A ring of palm trees surrounds the building’s steel and frosted glass canopy entrance on one side, with architectural signage on the other. Press & Moka Coffeehouse is immediately outside the Tower, but considered part of its grounds and amenities.
With over 230,000 square feet of total space – renovated in 2006 – the Tower has hosted real estate, financial services, and educational institutions over the years. Beginning in January 1993, it also served as an “interim” exhibition area for what was originally called the Irvine Museum and has since become the UC Irvine Jack & Shanaz Langson Institute & Museum of California Art. Previously located on the 12th floor, this art collection was later moved to the ground floor for easier public access, with expectations of relocation to UC Irvine’s campus (and potentially OCMA) in the future.
