Iconic LA, Stories of LA's Most Memorable Buildings

by Gloria Koenig, Frank Gehry (Foreword)

The twelve buildings of Iconic LA, identifiable the world over, demonstrate the personality and power of Los Angeles as a major metropolis. Their stories are the story of a city in progress, an urban biography that tells a century's worth of history. Like a character in a movie, each of these buildings has played a role in an unfolding human drama complete with intrigue, political struggle, tragedy, and triumph. The architect of the Bradbury Building accepted the commission after consulting a Ouija board and was inspired by a futuristic novel written in the late 1800s; in 1984 the building became a set for the futuristic-noir film Blade Runner. The Jetson style LAX Theme Building provides an indelible image of one of the world's busiest airports; however, few know the poignant story of its designer, Paul Williams, one of Los Angeles's most important African-American architects. Frank Gehry's design for the Disney Concert Hall suffered criticism, public apathy, and political frustration; in 1999 construction officially began on what will arguably be the city's most visible and popular landmark. Other buildings discussed include Griffith Observatory, the Getty Center, Watts Towers, and Case Study House #22.

120 pages, Hardcover

First published April 4, 2003

Reviews

[Natalie Park · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best part of this book is the old pictures that show the buildings early in their history. So much has changed around them that their sites would be unrecognizable today.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gloria Koenig's Iconic LA: Stories of LA's Most Memorable Buildings is a nice coffee table volume with lots of beautiful photographs of some of the city's most beloved architectural treasures. Among the notable buildings featured in Koenig's book are the Mission San Fernando, the Bradbury Building, the Hollyhock House, Watts Towers, the Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles City Hall, Grauman's Chinese Theater, Griffith Observatory, the LAX Theme Building, Case Study House #22, The Getty Center, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Being a life long resident of the City of Angels I have many fond memories of all of these buildings, some of which I see almost everyday. This book contains some interesting backstories to how these buildings were planned and constructed. From the methodical Frank Gehry planning the Walt Disney Concert hall to George Wyman, a draftsmen who consulted a "Ouija" board to decide if he should take the job of designing the Bradbury Building. Or the travails of Frank Lloyd Wright designing the Hollyhock house for a wealthy client or Sid Grauman losing his entire fortune in Wall Street crash of 1929. For such a young city Los Angeles has an interesting array of architecture to admire and enjoy.

[Dewayne Stark · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author had a lecture at our library and I missed it but the book was out for display so I picked it up and read it. Been to most of the places listed.
Went to Watts Towers before it became a landmark. I worked second shift in Downey and lived in Santa Monica. I had to leave early everyday because of the traffic and the lack of freeways then. I started looking for the towers as they could be seen from the main street I traveled but the area was divided by a railroad track and it was hard to find. When I finally found the towers they were just there in this forlorn neighborhood. Vacant sentinels.

Over the years I showed the site to various friends and family. The surrounding were always changing but the towers remained the same.

Two years ago I went back to take some pictures of the towers. A park had been added, murals, tiled fences. The place was dirty and the park was filled with malt liquor cans and the neighborhood's demographics had change but it was still depressing.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading about LA's history, so I really enjoyed this.
I've been to a number of the buildings/sites in the book, but I decided that I want to visit all of them at some point. My list is started...

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Visited several of the places listed. Never knew the history. I have a greater appreciation for the history and architecture. When I compare the pictures then and now, it makes one consider time in the timeline. Some of the stories bring a human quality of each site.