Los Angeles City Hall: An American Icon by Stephen Gee
One could not hope for a more apt book debut
in Los Angeles—an exclusive soiree at the Tom Bradley Room at the top of LA City
Hall (John C. Austin, Albert C. Martin, John Parkinson, 1928), including a taped
message from Mayor Eric Garcetti (who penned the book’s foreword). In addition to
a rare opportunity to simultaneously experience a book and its subject, the event
brought together descendants of several architects and artists who created the grand
edifice. The journey of their accomplishments is the story of Gee’s book, which
sees City Hall’s third home as emblematic of the City’s rapid growth and worldwide
importance. The book not only follows the odyssey of a building, but also the ideas
embedded in it—those of civic pride and duty. These ideals inhabit the politicians
and public servants, as well as the architects. Beautifully designed by Amy Inouye,
the book is replete with historic photos, renderings, construction details, and
plans, in addition to contemporary photography by Sandra Stojanovic. Very much like
the development climate today, the height of the building was an issue taken to
voters. As Martin said in a prescient moment: “If we do not build the new City Hall
to 28 stories, our children will.” After the saga of it getting built (though it
only took two years), Gee delves into the design, reviewing the stylistic overtones
of every detail, from the Board of Public Works meeting room to brackets holding
exterior illumination. A real treasure, this book belongs on the coffee table of
every Angeleno, and in the suitcase back home of any visitor.
Angel City Press; 2018; 216 pages; hardcover; $45.
