Garden-Like Figueroa Courtyard and the Suburban Downtown
Eric Richardson
[Flickr]
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Yesterday's story on UCLA Extension's move brought out a discussion on the Figueroa Courtyard and World Trade Center complexes. Several commenters derided the suburban nature of the two developments, and I pointed out that this was actually a selling point when Figueroa Courtyard was constructed in 1978.
The complex was originally slated to be the new home of the Pacific Stock Exchange, and was dubbed Exchange Square. The Exchange dropped out as a tenant before construction began, but the development continued and was named "The Park" for its garden qualities. A Times story from August of 1979 quotes leasing company senior V.P. Dan Matlow on the appeal of the complex. Matlow said the five buildings "offer the downtown office space user with the choice of a garden office environment for the first time in the history of any central city financial district in the country."
The grounds of the complex were named after the project's councilman, Gilbert Lindsay. At the dedication of the "Gilbert W. Lindsay Mall" the councilman spoke highly of the project.
I'm delighted to be here for the dedication of this magnificent complex that proves there is faith in the Central City of Los Angeles and that you can develop a low-rise building in downtown Los Angeles with all the amenities you could want including plantings and everything that makes for livability in the city.
Again, Dan Matlow:
The Park will prove popular not only for offices but for lunching and dining because of its casual outdoor low-rise atmosphere in the midst of fully landscaped gardens.
In an earlier article Matlow and architect Daniel L. Dwrosky are cited as having "praise for the CRA's willingness to consider low-rise, suburban-type development for the downtown project."
I imagine that the "Gilbert W. Lindsay Mall" would make a good clue on a Downtown scavenger hunt.
David Kennedy on January 16, 2008, at 03:21PM – #1
Amazing what passes for common sense in one era. As one of my colleagues put it, this is the worst part of downtown, absolutely. Demolition of these hideous, soul-sucking, damnable buildings can't come soon enough. That anyone would desire to work or live in these places is beyond me. Clearly, different strokes for different folks.
Dynamite, please.
Juanito on January 16, 2008, at 04:35PM – #2
Code word for the Lindsay Mall: 'Sticky Fingers'.
Marlena on January 16, 2008, at 05:04PM – #3
Don't expect existing properties like the Figueroa Courtyard to ever be much bigger and better, at least not until a long time into the future.
There still isn't a pressing need for additional office space, at least in downtown Los Angeles, so those who complain about low-rise, suburban type of buildings in downtown should be happy the land they're on at least isn't a mini-mall, parking lot, vacant lot -- which, worse of all, is filled with litter and weeds, and maybe even a few tents or cardboard boxes for squatters -- or location for swap meets.
John Crandell on January 16, 2008, at 05:04PM – #4
There was some degree of damage to this complex in the Oct. 1987 Whittier Earthquake. I don't mean to suggest that it is seimically unsound. However, a relative of mine was at that time working for ARCO which was then leasing space there. Robert Alexander's Bunker Hill Towers across the street was the next development to be built following the Union Bank Tower beside the freeway at Fifth Street. One scene in Antonioni's 'Zabriski Point' was filmed in an office of what is now the Standard Hotel. In the background you can see the B.H. Towers nearing completion. That was about the year 1970. I wonder if asbestos was still being used in construction at that time.?? One could rent in those buildings for dirt cheap in the years following completion. The vacancy rate was way high as no one but no one (with means) was interested in living in the Central City. Next to be constructed was the Trade Center. In those days, the term 'urban design' was quite a vague concept to minions at the redevelopment agency. On a walk down Flower Street, one can only think that civil engineers must have been supervising the planning department.
Scott Lewallen on January 16, 2008, at 08:51PM – #5
Someone planted a bunch of Queen Palm Trees under the cantilevered overhang @ Fig Courtyard. I'm sure they looked perfect when they were about 5 feet tall many years ago. But now they're practically hitting the ceiling and the fronds are fanning out horizontally since there's no vertical space left to grow. These trees should be rescued and replanted in another downtown area that needs a touch of green.
Ted on January 17, 2008, at 12:45PM – #6
David's comments about these "soul-sucking, damnable" buildings crystalizes what many say about the buildings like the Trade Center with blank walls facing Figueroa and Flower. However, they were part of a Grand Plan to move that part of Downtown up a level, with people movers and other niceties, and have just service facilities at ground level (sort of like Olive and Grand on Bunker Hill). That's why all those pedestrian bridges were built. Unfortunately, the project never got completed, so we're left with the remnants, which don't really work.