year for an adjacent lot owned by another developer, Center and bottom R.M. Schindler, Sardi’s Restaurant (now remodeled
Second Street Ventures. If built as planned, this tower
beyond recognition), 1936.
will block the view of Capitol Records from the freeway
Below Honnold, Reibsamen and Rex, Architects, Sunset–Vine Tower (now
and hamper the building’s famous subterranean echo remodeled beyond recognition), 1960; Welton Becket and Associates’
chambers during construction — or even damage them
1963 Cinerama Dome (now partially restored) is visible to the right.
— a concern partially addressed by mitigation measures
agreed upon by the developer. However, concealing this
landmark from the freeway will be an irreparable loss to
Hollywood’s skyline — an issue that will arise increasingly
if new development continues, since the impact and
appeal of so many modernist structures includes their
relationship to the surrounding context.
Few modernist buildings in Hollywood have fared as
well as the Capitol Building or the Lescaze complex, both
of which were, at least, spared alteration or destruction.
anamaker/Bison Archives.
anamaker/Bison Archives.
tesy Marc W
Cour
tesy Marc W
Cour
anamaker/Bison Archives.
tesy Marc W
Cour
www.modernismmagazine.com 83