Amid the homogeneous grayscape that we currently find ourselves in, the loss of the Sunset Boulevard Arby’s seemed to symbolize the loss of something greater — a time when public spaces were fun and wacky, and when something as humble as a fast-food restaurant was designed to stun. — The New York Times
The plight of many iconic post-war fast food restaurants in Southern California, which saw more than a few noteworthy wins and losses locally in 2024, embodies the shifts in urban culture towards more precise, smartphone-directed daily itineraries while outlining some things we already know about the effects high rents and labor costs have had on public design, the New York Times' Anna Kodé says.
The Googie architecture of its often under-heralded champion, Helen Liu Fong, is one of the biggest victims. Leading advocate and architectural historian Alan Hess tells the outlet: "I’ve been involved in historic preservation for a long time, and there aren’t many real success stories, sadly."
1 Comment
Unique design, there’s closer to where I live at.
Block this user
Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site?
Archinect
This is your first comment on Archinect. Your comment will be visible once approved.