{{Infobox building , name = Eric Williams Plaza , image = Eric Williams PlazaTrinidad.jpg , image_size = 220 , caption = Eric Williams Plaza in Port of Spain, Trinidad , start_date = 1979 , completion_date = {{start date, 1986, 03, 26 , building_type =

Office An office is a space where an organization's employees perform administrative work in order to support and realize objects and goals of the organization. The word "office" may also denote a position within an organization with specific du ...

, location = Independence Square, Port of Spain,

Trinidad Trinidad is the larger and more populous of the two major islands of Trinidad and Tobago. The island lies off the northeastern coast of Venezuela and sits on the continental shelf of South America. It is often referred to as the southernmos ...

Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago (, ), officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, is the southernmost island country in the Caribbean. Consisting of the main islands Trinidad and Tobago, and numerous much smaller islands, it is situated south of ...

, coordinates = {{coord, 10.6489, -61.5124, type:landmark, display=inline,title , roof = {{convert, 92.05, m, ft, 0 , floor_count = 22 , floor_area = , elevator_count = , architect = Anthony C. Lewis Partnership , structural_engineer= Eric Williams Plaza, also known as the ''Eric Williams Financial Complex'', located on Independence Square, Port of Spain, consists of two of the tallest buildings in

, as well as in the English-speaking Caribbean. It consists of a pair of skyscrapers 22 stories high and 302 ft (92 m) tall, locally known as the "Twin Towers". Construction on the complex started in 1979 and ended in 1986. The complex was officially opened on March 29, 1986. The architect who managed the construction was Anthony C. Lewis Partnership. The Eric Williams Plaza was named after

Eric Williams Eric Eustace Williams (25 September 1911 – 29 March 1981) was a Trinidad and Tobago politician who is regarded by some as the " Father of the Nation", having led the then British Colony of Trinidad and Tobago to majority rule on 28 October ...

, the first prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago. The first tower houses the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago while the second tower houses the Ministry of Finance. The first tower's official name is Eric Williams Financial Tower and the second tower's official name is the

Central Bank A central bank, reserve bank, or monetary authority is an institution that manages the currency and monetary policy of a country or monetary union, and oversees their commercial banking system. In contrast to a commercial bank, a central b ...

Tower. The building surrounding the towers is the old Central Bank. The old Central Bank building has gold and currency vaults, administrative areas, an auditorium and a concert hall. It is one of the finest facilities in the country. It is also part of the complex. Both towers contain building security, communications, and life-safety systems. The towers have an earthquake resistant design. The cross braces and core walls in both towers are designed to take earthquake forces with the former taking 15% of the forces and the latter taking 85%. Additionally, great care was taken in the detailing of the reinforcement. The thickness of the basement under each tower is 25'. The pile cap under each tower is a cellular raft which is a combination of 9' × 6' beams and an 18" slab. Water storage for the complex is located in the basements of the towers. The building is located on the Brian Lara Promenade, Independence Square (formerly

Marine Square Marine is an adjective meaning of or pertaining to the sea or ocean. Marine or marines may refer to: Ocean * Maritime (disambiguation) * Marine art * Marine biology * Marine debris * Marine habitats * Marine life * Marine pollution Military ...

) in downtown Port of Spain. It was the tallest building in Trinidad and Tobago until the

Nicholas Tower Nicholas Tower, situated on Independence Square, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago is the fifth tallest building in Trinidad and Tobago. It has an elliptical floor plate and stands 21Chouti, SandraChanging the face of PoS, ''Trinidad Guardia ...

was constructed by businessman

Issa Nicholas Issa or ISSA may refer to: Acronyms and abbreviations *Independent Schools Sports Association, now known as the Sports Association for Adelaide Schools * Information Systems Security Association * Instituto Superior de Secretariado y Administraci ...

. From 1993 to January 1999, the office of the

Prime Minister A prime minister, premier or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. Under those systems, a prime minister i ...

was housed here; in 1999 it was returned to the

Whitehall Whitehall is a road and area in the City of Westminster, Central London. The road forms the first part of the A3212 road from Trafalgar Square to Chelsea. It is the main thoroughfare running south from Trafalgar Square towards Parliament Sq ...

Central Bank Auditorium

The Central Bank Auditorium constructed in 1986 still stands as one of the finest facilities of its type in the country. The facility was constructed not only to serve the Bank's needs, but also as a civic contribution aimed at enhancing the performing arts in Trinidad and Tobago. The Auditorium is located at the South-East corner of the Central Bank building. It has a seating capacity for 400 and provides computerised lighting and sound controls. The Auditorium also boasts of an infra-red listening system designed to facilitate the hearing impaired. The Lights The lighting system comprises some of the top brand names in the world of theatrical lighting. An ETC Expression 3 Lighting Console is at the head of the system with an array of lighting fixtures by manufacturers such as Colortran, Altman, Rainbow,

Clay Paky Claypaky S.p.A. is a developer of professional lighting systems for the entertainment sector (theatre, television, concerts, nightclubs and outdoor events ) and for architectural applications. The company is based in Seriate, near Bergamo, about ...

and ETC Source Fours, High End. A 96 dimmer per circuit system exists. These circuits are distributed along the balcony rail, side ports, forestage grid and deck. The Sound The Central Bank Auditorium is at the forefront of the industry, being the only theatre in the country with a Digital Audio Workstation composed of Digidesign and MacIntosh systems. Two Tascam DM24 Digital Consoles head the list of highly professional audio equipment used at the Auditorium. The Auditorium also has an array of microphones, tape machines and amplifiers. The Auditorium also boasts of an Infra-Red Listening System designed to facilitate the hearing impaired. The Dressing Rooms Refurbishing of the Dressing Room area has recently been completed, with a more modern layout and comfort to performers. Performances onstage can be monitored in both the Dressing Rooms and Green Room areas via ideally located video and audio monitors. Intercom service is also provided in these areas. The Facilities Some of the facilities provided with the Auditorium include: A Steinway Baby Grand Piano, In House Technical Crew, In House Bar Service, Janitorial Service, Security.

External links

Eric Williams Plaza at skyscrapers.comTouring Trinidad at meppublishers.com
Skyscrapers in Trinidad and Tobago Buildings and structures in Port of Spain Twin towers Towers completed in 1986 Skyscraper office buildings