ABC News headquarters renamed for Barbara Walters

NEW YORK (KABC) -- ABC News headquarters in New York was renamed the Barbara Walters Building Monday night.

The renaming is part of other special events to be held this week before Walters retires on Friday.

"I am so truly touched by this," Walters said. "I want to make something very clear, that each and every one of you from the desk assistants to the producers to the correspondents and anchors, each of you who walk through these doors every day, yeah, my name is going to be on this building, but the building belongs to you."

Walters has been a journalist for 50 years. She was the first woman to anchor a network morning show, then an evening newscast. She has interviewed world leaders, including every U.S. president since Richard Nixon.

Her retirement is perfectly timed.

"I wanted to leave while I was in a good place and doing important stories. I didn't want anyone to say 'What, is she still here?'" Walters said.

While she will no longer be on the air, Walters will continue working behind the scenes at "The View" as the show's executive producer.

Walters says it's going to be a huge change for her life, which she can't believe is actually happening, but she can now relax on the beach and put a towel over her face.

ABC News contributed to this report.