Polarizing to an even greater extent than other buildings by William Pereira – the architect behind LAX’s iconic Theme Building, Irvine’s master plan, the campus plans for UC Irvine, USC, and Pepperdine, as well as UC San Diego’s Geisel Library – the seven-tiered stepped pyramid design of The Ziggurat is iconic in Laguna Niguel, where it currently serves as offices for the IRS and Department of Homeland Security as “the Chet Holifield Federal Building.” Having been featured in the films Death Race 2000 and Outbreak, The Ziggurat was originally built for a defense contractor that never occupied the space, and has passed between federal agencies since its 1971 completion and 1974 transfer to the government.
Despite The Ziggurat’s unique, fortress-like design, keeping the building occupied and up to date has proved challenging over the years, and even a successful auction of the property was cancelled after the fact. It’s unclear whether the site will be preserved after its sale, or demolished due to asbestos materials used in the building; for the time being, the massive structure can be seen from both its own parking lots and hillside views in adjacent neighborhoods.
