Chapter 8 unpacks the pivotal role of public plazas at the base of tall buildings as essential instruments of urban placemaking. While skyscrapers often dominate skylines and serve as emblems of modernity, the ground-level plazas directly shape the everyday urban experience. These spaces mediate the relationship between monumental architecture and human-scale activity, offering inclusive settings for social interaction, cultural expression, and civic engagement. Drawing on global case studies – such as Chase Tower Plaza, Richard J. Daley Plaza in Chicago, and Trinity Place Plaza in San Francisco – the chapter introduces a typological framework of ten plaza types, including sunken, lawn, water, paved, and transformative plazas. Each typology is examined for its capacity to animate the public realm, support diverse users, and bridge the public-private divide. The chapter highlights key design strategies such as integrating greenery, water features, public art, and flexible seating, emphasizing their role in enhancing comfort, identity, and social connectivity. Ultimately, the chapter argues that plazas are vital civic infrastructure, not peripheral accessories to tall buildings. When thoughtfully designed and maintained, they transform vertical environments into vibrant, inclusive, and resilient urban places that support the city’s collective life.