No other place in the world has such a fantastic collection of underecognized and underappreciated vertical architecture as in Los Angeles. In a city of mostly low-density avenues and sprawling suburban tracts, no other street in L.A. contains as many of these Modernicus Erectus as Wilshire Boulevard. — Urban Operations
Since 2006, the annual pamphlet on skyscrapers is published as an ongoing research project by the office of Los Angeles architect John Southern, Urban Operations. This year's issue, "Wilshire Star Maps" is a limited edition of 100 prints and a digital edition you are about to enjoy. It also features an essay by Orhan Ayyüce, "Wilshire Boulevard: A Drive-By Family".
Digital copies of Urban Operations' previous pamphlets, Slopscraper, Sumoscraper and Skyscrapers of the Dead are also available at their website.
Wilshire Star Maps by Urban Operations
2 Comments
Great pamphlet, well done.
The family tree is hilarious. Chop down this tree and lay it on its side and the Wilshire Blvd 'skyscraper' is many miles high.
Wilshire does has its shadow side, often in the dark backyards of the office and condo towers. At my Mid Wilshire address just one or two streets on either side of the grand facade are the 99cent stores, hooker hotels and Salvadorean street vendors. For $2 or $3 you can get a decent street grilled meal, listen to music and shop cheap then just walk, in and out of crowds. At night I walk the 2blocks to Wilshire and chill in any of the near deserted business plazas. I finish my beer then back to my apartment/computer/ bed. The sirens are just everynight sound effects that one gets used to soon.
eric chavkin
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