LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 3.0

[Steve2726]

WOW!



I think it is safe to say that this is going to provoke a wide variety of opinions.

[ladowntowner]

Not at all digging the multi-colored concrete boxes and the "floral design blown up to skyscraper scale". Too much busy harsh angularity which is out of context near the bottom end.

With that said, I do like the curved glass façade and how it provides context and a transition from Cal-Plaza's mirrored and rigidly straight vertical spans to the playfully curvaceous Disney Hall.. that's nice.. almost organic in a inorganic sense. Plus the oaks on top are a nice touch.

[DJM19]

I like the towers, but I too dont like the color splashes. It looka like mud and blood were flinged on it, or like someone ripped off a quarter of the building and we now see the inside. Either make it all white, or chose different colors in a more uniform fashion!

But what I really dislike is the short building in the forefront. Its like a mess of building blocks.

I cant say I like it. Its different, but even "different" can be within the context of sanity.

[citywatch]

If they're going to attach large painted concrete slabs on the lower part of the devplt, around where all the stores will be, that may end up looking too deconstructionist. I hope Gehry, in order to save $$, isn't gonna go overboard, with too much of his "hipster" chain link, plywood type of style.

OTOH, I'm glad the taller tower isn't conventional, unlike the shorter one. In fact, the 23 story one reminds me of the Museum Tower apt bldg, which is just a few hundred ft south of where the Grand Ave proj will rise, & seems similar in shape & size. The older bldg & the one proposed for the Grand Ave proj both appear to have their top few floors cut open, & both of them (or certainly the older one) makes me think of a milk crate standing on its side.






Photo: Alain Lucier

[ladowntowner]

Agreed citywatch, the shorter tower is *yawn* very boring... and I don't quite understand the fake upper floors either...

[citywatch]

Here are 2 more images of the proj. The 1st one makes me feel better about it, in that the street level, retail area has what looks like a fanciful set of shapes. But, again, I think the example of the boxy shaped Museum tower, built in 1990, is something that should be avoided at all costs.






If there's one problem with the taller tower, is that its elaborate, curved shape makes the shorter one look even more ho-hum.

[LA420]

The different color blocks just looks messy, reminds me of those ABC blocks that kids play with. The color splashes all over the inner part of the building looks like a frog in a blender or maybe even vomit. The ground level with the beige cutout boulders with the tree on top and one inside reminds me of the ape village in "Planets of the ape". I like the curved glass on the the other side but this man (gehry) is stuck in the 70's. I am little disappointed but lets see what happens these are just renderings and by reading the article i don't know what related will think of this, maybe this is why there been some issues between them. Who knows but i hope they come up with something different, its an eye sore . Thats my 2 centavos .

[colemonkee]

Gehry is one crazy dude. Overall I'm liking the design - primarily because it has a lot of energy - it's visually dynamic. But this can be a good thing or a bad thing. I agree with ksep, the color on the interior side should not be painted concrete. It should be glass or ceramic or some kind of mosaic pattern not made of concrete. I hope it ends up looking like that multi-colored tower in Barcelona (who's name escapes me).

The podium, on the other hand, seems a bit too frenetic to me. From the models it seems like a confusing, seizure-inducing place, but we are viewing it from a good distance. Up close it may look much better. We won't know until it's built.

The important thing to me is how it interacts with the street. From the models it looks like there might be retail along 1st and Olive. Let's hope it is that way. And let's hope they address the accessibility from the corner of 2nd and Olive. They really should consider all the neighboring residents that will approach this development from that corner on foot.

[RAlossi]

I think it's interesting and actually beautiful. I don't think it will end up as tacky as some here are fearing. Though, judging by some of Gehry's other projects, we might have some surprises in store.

This is his city though, and I don't think he'd present anything but his best for us.

[yeah215]

i like the big tower. It looks like there was a harsh, reflective glass builidng and somebody took a bite out of it. Inside there is colors and flowers and whatnot. I think its nice.

[Steve2726]

Originally Posted by citywatch

Reversing an earlier demand that <Gehry and> his firm fully control the design of the first phase, he has agreed to let Dallas-based HKS Architects produce the final working drawings that will guide construction.

FWIW- This is the firm that is designing the W Hollywood Hotel and Residences.

[fridayinla]

Originally Posted by RAlossi

This is his city though, and I don't think he'd present anything but his best for us.

I agree. Couple that with making a lasting impression on his legacy. Besides, the article says they're still refining the details - including the colorful floral design along the taller tower which is currently just a "placeholder". I just hope the flowing glass facade isn't changed because of reflection issues.

[LAMetroGuy]

Older:


Newer:

[colemonkee]

I like the older massing better. It seems to have a more natural vertical flow to it. Could be that the angle is slightly different though.

[LongBeachUrbanist]

I wonder if anyone else here sees the nod to the WTC? Not to be morbid, but the main tower reminds me of either two towers, or one tower ripped open, with a pile of rubble at its base.

I'll repeat that as of now, I give the design a qualified thumbs up. Which is odd for me, considering I tend to prefer more traditional architecture.

Originally Posted by citywatch

[towersla]

Wonderfully original, very LA. Thank you Mr. Gehry.

[ladowntowner]

If it's built as presently conceived I'll just be grateful that distance and most of the other towers downtown will insure it isn't visible from my living room, otherwise it might lower the value of my condo.

Seriously though, while there are some great characteristics and I recognize it's still early in the process, I can't get beyond what I perceive as fatal flaws to embrace the overall concept.

Oh well... having the Ritz Carlton/Marriot @ L.A. Live front and center in my view and a five minute leisurely stroll away will just have to serve as consolation.

[ksep]

i want this:

[colemonkee]

^ That's from the previous version, isn't it?

EDIT: I updated the front page with the new render.

[anton]

The colored blocks inside the skycraper look horrible! Who co-designed this? Prince?

Hopefully the city will veto this deisgn...