Architecture Field Trip - Century City
Just back from a brief Century City staycation with my daughter and we both had a grand time.
We stayed at a hotel designed by Minoru Yamasaki. There were many other noteworthy architectural buildings near the hotel including the iconic Century Towers, also by Yamasaki.
Century Plaza Hotel (1966), Minoru Yamasaki
This iconic work of architecture was completed before Yamasaki’s design of the World Trade Center Towers in NYC.
A rehabilitation of the Century Plaza Hotel began in late 2016 and reopened in 2021.
During the rehabilitation, a mesh sculpture titled “Laura” by the artist Jaume Plensa was added to the front of the hotel. This was a nice addition. I think the new condo towers constructed behind the hotel detracts from Yamasaki’s graceful architecture.
From @laconservancy website:
“Opened in 1966 as the centerpiece of Century City, the 19-story curved hotel has been a prominent Los Angeles landmark for more than four decades. From its prime perch fronting the spectacular fountains on the Avenue of the Stars, the Century Plaza’s sweeping modern design strongly evokes the exuberant optimism of the 1960s. Designed by renowned architect Minoru Yamasaki, who would later design New York’s World Trade Center twin towers, the hotel incorporates Yamasaki’s ornamental, textural and sculptural trademarks. Yamasaki also designed the 1975 twin Century Plaza towers, the striking triangular buildings east of the hotel.”
Century Plaza Towers (1975), Minoru Yamasaki
On an easy morning jog around Century Plaza, I was able to take in the towers from all angles. Images in the gallery above include an earlier view from the rooftop of the Century Plaza Hotel, also by Yamasaki.
From Wikipedia: The Century Plaza Towers were designed by Minoru Yamasaki and completed in 1975. The towers resemble Yamasaki's iconic work, the original World Trade Center in New York City, with their twin configuration, vertical black and gray lines, and aluminum exteriors.
The towers have an unusual triangular footprint and are landmarks that are clearly seen around the Los Angeles Westside.
Century Towers (1972), I.M. Pei
The two Century Towers, located at 2220 and 2222 Avenue of the Stars in Century City were designed by I.M. Pei originally as apartments and built In 1972, they later became condos.
Century Tower Residences are twin 28-story luxury condominium skyscrapers and the first residential project constructed in Century City. The towers present a fine entry to the city.
Watt Plaza (1982), Gin Wong Associates
Watt Plaza was developed by Watt Industries and designed by Gin Wong Associates. The steel and concrete twin towers were built in 1982.
I really liked the graceful lines of these brutalist towers.
2010 Century Park E
Amidst all the tall modern business towers, I found this modest mid-century ATT building with decorative screen flair.