Russell on August 19, 2011, at 08:38AM – #1

This story is so tragic. What a waste. We are actually quite fortunate that Broadway was ignored for so many years, if it was only a block or two closer to bunker hill, this would probably be the fate of the most of the historical theaters that are still in tack.

on August 19, 2011, at 12:02PM – #2

Of course I prefer the Metropolitan, but the Jewelry Center isn't that bad. Frank Gehry ripped it off for his IAC Building in New York.

Didn't the cylinrical features hanging along the Hill Street frontage light up?

Hillsman Wright on August 19, 2011, at 12:40PM – #3

The architect for the Metropolitan was W.L. Woollett, who also designed the Million Dollar. The stage and support facilities were designed to accommodate live events up to grand opera size in case films fell out of favor with the public. There was a 70-piece orchestra in residence. At one point, the theatre had entrances on Hill, 6th and Broadway. The chandelier from the Broadway entrance now hangs in the Million Dollar dome. A 3300 seat facility adjacent to Pershing Square parking would come in handy now. Here's a link with photos and more info in the Broadway entrance: http://sites.google.com/site/downtownlosangelestheatres/metropolitan

Illithid Dude on August 19, 2011, at 11:52PM – #4

I have to say, though, I do like the original office building design. No plazas, entrance right on the street, and I'm a sucker for International Style. Of course, I wish the original theater was still there, but the 60s office building is a heck of a lot better then the current International Jewelry Center.

William Crandell on August 21, 2011, at 01:55PM – #5

It is quite a leap of imagination for one to say that Mister Gehry ripped off the design of this gawd-awful building as part of the design of his first building in Manhattan.

If memory serves me right, I once read that architect George Bergstrom handled the building shell and Woollett executed the interior. Bergstrom had separated from his partnership with John Parkinson and would eventually design the Pentagon. Tom Owen once told me that there was also a separate entrance on the back side, from Broadway. This was probably threaded through either a part of the Mackie-Fredericks Store or the building to the south.

William Crandell on August 21, 2011, at 01:59PM – #6

Gawd-awful building being the Jewelry Center, of course.

on August 22, 2011, at 08:19AM – #7

Gehry/IAC vs. Jewelry Center...just look at the two buildings side by side. Anyway, IAC is competent architecture, but it isn't as nice as most of Gehry's work. Let's just say as a location it was a good fit with Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg in their movie The Other Guys.

BobbyD on January 06, 2012, at 07:41PM – #8

"Mister Gehry ripped off the design of this gawd-awful building as part of the design of his first building in Manhattan."? How can anybody steal his own design? Sounds as good as Obama always blaming every bad thing on somebody else and never on himself.

Morthos on January 25, 2012, at 09:36PM – #9

The jewelry center building sucks major portions of rat balls. The reason people all over the world believe that LA has no history is because we constantly destroy our history. And you could argue with me if you want, however, you would be wrong, and look like a monumental idiot.