Wallpaper put up its June images and we saw this crazy pic. Here's what the mag says about the Design Center's future sibling:
"In 1975 he built the 'Blue Whale'.Then came his Pacific Green building in 1988. Now architect Cesar Pelli is putting the finishing touches on West Hollywood's Pacific Design Center with his Red Building. The office complex, expected to appeal to entertainment and new-media firms, comprises two office towers atop seven layers of parking. Construction should start later this year, with tenants moving in by the end of 2008."
I'm confused. Is this new structure going to be on the site of the current parking structure, the open parking lot, or the area that currently houses the MoCA annex? Regardless, does anyone else think that the new structure is grossly out of scale with the surrounding neighborhood? (Perhaps it's the perspective of the rendering that distorts the actual scale of the building?) Did the City of West Hollywood actually approve a structure of this scale on this particular site? Hard to believe that residents of that (highly-desirable real estate) neighborhood haven't blocked approval.
...not to mention the impact of increased traffic on San Vicente and Melrose if that much more office space is added to the PDC.
I'm wondering if maybe the illustration isn't exaggerated for artistic effect because I'm with you: this looks to completely oblilerate that area of Melrose.
I'll miss you, Le Pain Quotidien....
This a beautiful addition, it completes this project logically. I hope we get to see it built. West Hollywood will be quite lucky for having this.
Gotta admit, that rendering does look nice and glossy. I've always though the real things looked kinda chintzy though.
bunch of Nimbys
I heard that it was supposed to go behind the green building, between the PDC and the WEHO sheriff's station. It would replace a ground level parking lot. Le Pain Quotidien is no where near where the new building is expected to go. Between this, the huge new library that's supposed to be built across the street in the WEHO park and that new condo complax at Santa Monica and Hancock, this area if West Hollywood is going to be a hotbed of construction.