Several new buildings have been completed in Los Angeles within the last 10 years, earning worldwide accolades for achievement in design. Several more are either in development or on the drawing board.

All of the architects mentioned below have earned the Pritzker Prize. Additionally, the following buildings are all located Downtown, within easy walking distance of one another.

Caltrans District 7 Headquarters
Architect: Thom Mayne/Morphosis
Opened: 2004
Address: 100 S. Main Street
Features: This building is guaranteed to elicit strong reactions from viewers. But love it or hate it, the building can’t be ignored. Perforated metal panels create a skin that covers exposed structural elements, visible from inside the building’s walkways and interior spaces. At night, the
exterior panels open up to reveal windows. The south wall has a photovoltaic system capable of producing up to 5 percent of the building’s energy. Many of the building’s features are meant to evoke the state’s highway system, including the environmental art installation by Keith Sonnier in the outdoor lobby. The area consists of red and blue neon lights meant to suggest automobile
head and tail lights.

Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
Architect: José Rafael Moneo
Opened: 2002
Address: 555 W. Temple Street
Features: A contemporary cathedral designed with virtually no right angles, this building breaks the mold of the classic European cathedral of the Middle Ages. And as the third largest cathedral in the world, the significance of this building is tied to more than just its architecture. It’s the seat of the Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, serves more than 4 million Catholic worshippers and is the site of the Archbishop’s major liturgies. The exterior is sand-colored concrete, with an interior lit during the day by sunlight shining through thousands of alabaster panels. The large bronze doors by sculptor Robert Graham, the tapestries by artist John Nava and other works of art complete the building, making it well worth close inspection.

Walt Disney Concert Hall
Architect: Frank Gehry
Opened: 2003
Address: 111 S. Grand Avenue
Features: There aren’t many buildings in Los Angeles as recognizable as the Walt Disney Concert Hall at the Music Center. The stainless steel skin covers a framework of steel beams erected in the shape of billowing sails or flower petals, depending on your point of view. Inside, the building houses one of LA’s best concert venues, with an auditorium known as much for its
acoustics as its design.

U.S. Bank Tower (Library Tower)
Architect: I.M. Pei
Opened: 1989
Address: 633 W. Fifth Street
Features: The tallest building in the United States west of Chicago, this is one of LA’s most iconic pieces of architecture. With 1.3 million square feet, the U.S. Bank Tower is 73 stories tall and reaches a height of 1,018 feet. The design of the building features interlocking sets of granite planes and curves that step down in a series of terraces and ledges, creating a building that’s neither round nor square. A large glass “crown” on top of the building is illuminated at night, and in the lobby a giant mixed-media mural entitled Unity depicts the history of Los Angeles.

Fanscape.com is giving away two tickets to see Katt Williams on June 26 at the Gibson Amphitheater (courtesy of Premiere Marquee Club).

Let me know if you’re interested: billkarz@gmail.com.

The offer ends tomorrow.

On Tuesday, May 20 and Wednesday, May 21, the NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE in Downtown Los Angeles will host the series’ two-night grand finale.

NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE hosts more than 120 music, family, dance and comedy acts, award shows, televised productions, conventions and product launches annually. Since opening its doors in October 2007, NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE has hosted the Eagles and Dixie Chicks, Sugarland, Queens of the Stone Age, Neil Young, Anita Baker, the American Music Awards, Mary J. Blige, the SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE Tour, John Mayer, Björk, John Fogerty, Tori Amos and George Lopez.

NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE will be the heart and soul of L.A. LIVE, the 4 million square foot sports, residential and entertainment district of Downtown Los Angeles. Located adjacent to the STAPLES Center and the Los Angeles Convention Center, L.A. LIVE will ultimately become the primary event center for people seeking sports and entertainment offerings in a unique urban environment.

For a list of upcoming events/shows, visit www.nokiatheatrelalive.com

Downtown LA continues to welcome new residential and commercial projects, as well as a whopping 10,000 new residents within the past four years. The area’s influx of grocery stores and convenience marts is a direct indication of Downtown’s resurgence. In July 2007, the Ralphs grocery store chain marked its return to Downtown after pulling out of the area more than 50 years ago. Categorizing Downtown as one of its “luxury” markets, the company opened one of its 25 upscale “Fresh Fare” Ralphs, with an emphasis on luxury items and specialty products. Also making its Downtown premiere in December 2007 was the 7-Eleven chain, which opened on the ground level of the Mandel Lofts at 7th and Olive streets. The store is Downtown’s first 24-hour convenience mart. A high-end stop in Downtown is the Japanese convenience store, Famima!!. Serving Downtown with to-go sushi and Chinese steamed buns since 2006, the chain recently opened its third Downtown location in the California Plaza.

Hollywood is LA’s iconic region, where the entertainment industry reigns supreme and the excitement is non-stop. Here’s a 24-hour itinerary of how visitors can easily share the limelight with the stars who live, work and play in this glamorous setting:

8 to 9 a.m.
Have breakfast at The Waffle, a hip new Hollywood diner serving American classics with a designer-chef spin, from buttermilk Belgian waffles and applewood smoked bacon to fried chicken and maple martinis. 6255 West Sunset Boulevard. www.thewaffle.us

9 a.m. to noon
Take a StarLine Tours “Movie Stars Homes Tour” and drive past the mansions of stars such as Tom Cruise, Madonna, Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe; cruise the Sunset Strip, see the Hollywood Sign and more. www.starlinetours.com

Noon to 1 p.m.
Have lunch at The Dip at Hollywood & Highland Center. Owned by Borat co-star Ken Davitian (Azamat in the movie), the restaurant boasts a fabulous French dip sandwich. www.hollywoodandhighland.com

1 to 2 p.m.
Take a Kodak Theatre Tour and follow the path of the famous red carpet through the home of the Academy Awards® at Hollywood & Highland Center. See the VIP Room and Green Room, walk on the stage, and see where the stars sit while waiting to hear their names called. www.kodaktheatre.com

Then shop at the boutiques and designer shops at Hollywood & Highland Center or relax in preparation for a glittery Hollywood night. During this time, make sure to stop by LA INC.’s Hollywood Visitor Information Center, conveniently located in front of the Kodak Theatre.

5:50 to 6 p.m.
Take the Metro Red Line from Hollywood and Highland to the legendary corner of Hollywood and Vine. www.metro.net

6 to 8 p.m.
Enjoy dinner at Katsuya Hollywood, where you might spot celebs such as Eva Longoria. Seared tuna is a favorite at the sushi bar, and beef-rolled asparagus and garlic-buttered king crab reign at the robata grill. 6300 Hollywood Boulevard. www.sbe.com/katsuya

8 to 11 p.m.
See the Tony-award winning smash hit musical, Wicked, at the Pantages Theatre. Originally written and performed in LA, the untold story of the witches of OZ is now in its second record-breaking year in Hollywood. 6233 Hollywood Boulevard. www.wickedthemusical.com

11 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Visit one – or more – of LA’s hottest nightclubs. Level 3 is a sleek, hip club with DJ tunes, located on the top level of Hollywood & Highland Center. At places like LAX, Opera and Mood, success is evidenced by the sense of accomplishment you’ll feel after getting past the velvet rope. www.discoverLosAngeles.com

2 a.m. to 7 a.m.
Rest up for the next day of excitement in one of Hollywood’s fine hotels. To be close to the action, stay at either the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel (conveniently located at Hollywood & Highland Center), or stay at the nearby Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, a Thompson Hotel (caddy corner Grauman’s Chinese Theatre with a swank gourmet hamburger and wine joint on the ground floor open 24 hours called 25 Degrees). www.renaissancehotel.com or www.hollywoodroosevelt.com

8 a.m.
Do it all again — but this time in one of LA’s other storied regions.

March 20 - 22

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) presents the 2008 Robotics Competition at the LA Sports Arena.

According to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and Sports Arena Calendar of Events:

“The FIRST Robotics Competition is a unique varsity sport of the mind designed to help high-school aged young people discover how interesting and rewarding the life of engineers and researchers can be. The Competition challenges teams of young people and their mentors to solve a comon problem in a six- week timeframe using a standard ‘kit of parts’ and a common set of rules. Teams build robots from the parts and ener them in competitions designed by Dean Kamen, Dr. Woodie Flowers and a committee of engineers and other professionals.”

-Free to the public

SCHEDULE:

Thursday, March 20
Practice session: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Friday, March 21
Preliminary and qualifying competition: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Saturday, March 22
On this day, doors will open at 8 a.m., and the event will conclude with an awards ceremony at 5 p.m.

www.usfirst.org

British publication, Wallpaper* (the last word in international design, fashion and lifestyle) has named Los Angeles “Best City” at its 2008 Design Awards ceremony held in London. In the January Design Awards issue, Wallpaper* wrote of LA: “the city of Eames, Neutra and ‘Googie’ has always had few equals in its appreciation of challenging design, and it shows in the star status given to the people creating the look of today’s L.A., from Kelly Wearstler to Thom Mayne and, of course, Frank Gehry.” Wallpaper* staff and a panel of international judges chose the winners. The magazine is read by the design elite in more than 70 countries and boasts a rising circulation of more than 110,000.
www.wallpaper.com

On Feb. 20, TripAdvisor announced the Top 10 most popular art museums in the world, based on traffic to the attractions on tripadvisor.com.

1. Louvre Affair: Musee du Louvre, Paris, France
Once a fortified palace that was the home to kings of France, the Louvre is now the world’s most famous museum, renowned for some of the finest pieces of art in the world, including the Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa. According to one TripAdvisor traveler, “The world’s greatest museum-from its Italian Renaissance Masters, to its Dutch Masters and the exquisite collection from Egypt’s Pharaonic period. Each time I visit I always discover new treasures and I reacquaint myself with my favorites.”

2. Religious Experience: Vatican Museums, Vatican City, Rome, Italy
Spanning nearly nine miles, the Roman Catholic Church’s Vatican collection is one of the largest and most stunning in the world. Estimated to have more than four million visitors annually, the Vatican museums feature the art of Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and, of course, Michelangelo’s ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. As one TripAdvisor traveler commented, “The amount of history and art that is located here is mind-boggling, from the frescoes to the statues, virtually every nook and corner (even the floor) is a treasure.”

3. Art in the Apple: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, New York
From Picasso to Pollock, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, on New York City’s Museum Mile, is one of the world’s largest museums with over two million pieces of artwork and enough variety for any enthusiast. Peruse the Greek sculptures, admire the armory or browse the 2,000 European paintings, all contained in a magnificent Beaux-Art façade building. As one TripAdvisor traveler said, “The building itself is a work of art. This would be a great place to spend a day alone!”

4. Grand Getty: J. Paul Getty Center, Los Angeles, California
The Getty features a remarkable collection, including the works of Van Gogh, Monet and Cezanne. The museum’s structure is a piece of art in itself, and the grounds also feature beautiful gardens, and views of Los Angeles. As one TripAdvisor traveler offered, “Prepare to be spoiled-from the free admission, gorgeous gardens, views, good food, unsurpassed attention to detail, and oh yeah, the art-this place is one in a million!”

5. d’Orsay d’Light: Musee d’Orsay, Paris, France
Enjoy Van Gogh’s “Starry Night,” inside the Musee D’Orsay, a former train station built for the Universal Exhibition of 1900, with a dramatic glass roof. Specializing in 19th and 20th century artwork, the museum displays a striking collection of Impressionism, including famous works by Monet, Manet, Renoir, Van Gogh and Degas. As one TripAdvisor traveler said, “It is much less crowded than the Louvre and features wonderful pieces of art. The museum is just the right size to see everything, including famous painter Whistler and Van Gogh self-portraits.”

-One classic margarita, ice on the side = 2 classic margarita

-Three classic margaritas, ice on the side = 1 classic adventure

*El Coyote was voted Best Margarita in Los Angeles by AOL Cityguide in 2007

7312 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 939-2255
www.elcoyotecafe.com