New Art Museum and Civic Park Coming to Downtown LA (Los Angeles: city hall, landscaping)

[SoCal35]

It was announced today that the Broad Art Museum will be built in Downtown LA near the Disney Concert Hall.

Santa Monica and Beverly Hills were in the running but in the end philanthropist/billionaire Eli Broad selected the downtown location. The museum is expected to open in 2012.

Broad Art Museum Approved by CRA :: blogdowntown


On the very same day, the groundbreaking for the new 16-acre civic park was held. The park (part of the now stalled Grand Ave project) is expected to be completed in about 2 years. The park will link Grand Ave with City Hall with public spaces and landscaping.

Civic Park in downtown Los Angeles beginning to take shape - latimes.com

I'd say downtown is pretty fortunate to be getting such high profile projects moving in the middle of some very tough economic times.

[LASam]

Getting this museum coupled with the other cultural institutions already on Bunker Hill will really help to make this a focal point of the city. I just hope this park is executed well... I'm a little concerned because of the cross streets that effectively dissect the park into smaller pieces.

[californio sur]

It's good news that another museum will be built downtown but I read several weeks ago that the building design Broad wants is not very interesting [nothing as spectacular as the Disney Hall]. The park should be another nice improvement.

[BRinSM]

Originally Posted by LASam

Getting this museum coupled with the other cultural institutions already on Bunker Hill will really help to make this a focal point of the city. I just hope this park is executed well... I'm a little concerned because of the cross streets that effectively dissect the park into smaller pieces.

if the signals are timed properly to favor pedestrians over cars (like at the 3rd St Promenade), i doubt the 'dissecting' will be an issue.

[SoCal35]

Originally Posted by californio sur

It's good news that another museum will be built downtown but I read several weeks ago that the building design Broad wants is not very interesting [nothing as spectacular as the Disney Hall]. The park should be another nice improvement.

I guess we shall see. I don't think you'd want something as "far out" as Disney Hall since the museum site is directly across the street.

Pretty challenging assignment for any architect under normal circumstances...throw in a Gehry designed landmark building next door and the pressure really builds.

[SoCal35]

Originally Posted by LASam

Getting this museum coupled with the other cultural institutions already on Bunker Hill will really help to make this a focal point of the city. I just hope this park is executed well... I'm a little concerned because of the cross streets that effectively dissect the park into smaller pieces.

Yes, the streets and the grade changes make it a challenge to create a cohesive space. I'd like to see more green space but I am glad to see it moving forward....

[californio sur]

Originally Posted by SoCal35

I guess we shall see. I don't think you'd want something as "far out" as Disney Hall since the museum site is directly across the street.

Pretty challenging assignment for any architect under normal circumstances...throw in a Gehry designed landmark building next door and the pressure really builds.

I agree that a building anything like the Disney might look sort of strange but Broad has settled on a design many feel is a bit bland. There was an article about how he is a bit of a control freak and hard to work with. But he has been a huge contributor to Los Angeles' art scene for many years and his own museum will be a big plus for downtown.

[coo77]

I don't think the design for Broad's museum has been released yet. How does anybody have an opinion on it yet when the renderings aren't out and he only recently hired an architect??? Overall, should be wonderful for downtown. Much better than the ugly parking lot that makes the concert hall seem like an island isolated from the rest of downtown. This should bring tourists and more culture downtown and help connect this part of Bunker Hill to the rest of downtown.

The park looks nice too. Maybe not the right time to try to do a park with $ problems, but it does look like an improvement. There should be open space though for people to throw a football, frisbee, etc... instead of just trees.

[californio sur]

Originally Posted by coo77

I don't think the design for Broad's museum has been released yet. How does anybody have an opinion on it yet when the renderings aren't out and he only recently hired an architect??? Overall, should be wonderful for downtown. Much better than the ugly parking lot that makes the concert hall seem like an island isolated from the rest of downtown. This should bring tourists and more culture downtown and help connect this part of Bunker Hill to the rest of downtown.

The park looks nice too. Maybe not the right time to try to do a park with $ problems, but it does look like an improvement. There should be open space though for people to throw a football, frisbee, etc... instead of just trees.

"Broad hopes to add to that list by hiring a top-tier architect for a museum on Bunker Hill holding his own extensive art collection, the first art museum built downtown since architect Arata Isozaki's 1986 Museum of Contemporary Art. (As MOCA's founding chairman, Broad had a hand in that one too.) After a private competition, Broad is leaning toward a design by New York's Diller Scofidio + Renfro.


For all of Broad's consistent prominence on the public stage in recent years, the buildings he has helped develop make up a disparate, even contradictory group. They don't reflect a single aesthetic vision or chart the growth of a few chosen architects over time. If the buildings have any common thread, in fact, it is disappointment: Broad has collaborated with some of the most talented firms in the world, to be sure. But he has also overseen some of their least impressive work".


Eli Broad: L.A.'s peripatetic patron - Los Angeles Times

[Jay100]

Awesome, I like it! The rebirth of DTLA is in full effect.