Priya Kapoor
The only building with painted eyes that I could find is an 11,000-square-foot mural of orchestra members on the side of a parking garage in Downtown LA, near the stretch of the 110 (or the Harbor) freeway. The mural, which was made with a pencil-sized paintbrush, depicts a cluster of classical musicians stoically holding their instruments and staring back at drivers. Another building with painted eyes could be the one described by Candice Yokomizo, who spotted a steel-toned tower with a futuristic wrap-around staircase in Downtown LA. However, this building is not stated to have eyes painted on it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Birkenstock Building |
| Location | Novato, Marin County, California |
| Address | 8171 Redwood Blvd |
| Architect | John Savage Bolles |
| Year Built | Early 1960s |
| Style | Mid-century |
| Current Status | Vacant |
| Former Occupant | German shoe company Birkenstock |
| Mural | Hand-painted by local high schoolers |
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What You'll Learn
The Birkenstock building in Novato, Marin County
The Birkenstock building has been vacant for years, ever since the German shoe company moved out in 2020. Prior to Birkenstock's departure, the campus was a vibrant place, featuring a garden, towering oak trees, a hand-painted mural by local high schoolers, a man-made creek, and a diverse range of wildlife, including deer, rabbits, turkeys, lizards, and snakes. The site even had an on-site bee colony with a resident beekeeper.
Shelly Glasgow, a director at Birkenstock, described the company's return to the campus in 2012, highlighting the positive reaction from employees who fondly remembered the unique features of the location, such as the views of the mountains and the rabbits wandering up to the windows. The building and its surrounding campus stand as a testament to the mid-century design aesthetics championed by John Savage Bolles, showcasing both functionality and a connection to nature.
Highway 101, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, stretches along the California coast, offering stunning scenery and a glimpse into the past with its unique businesses and communities. The Birkenstock building, with its distinctive architecture, adds to the character of this iconic highway, providing a memorable landmark for travellers along the Northern California coast.
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The 8-story-tall LA freeway mural
The idea for the mural came about over three decades ago when LACO's leadership started brainstorming ways to attract more audience members to their concerts. Board member Les Weinstein suggested commissioning Twitchell to create the artwork. Twitchell spent several years putting together the mural in several chunks, with the figures looking directly at the viewer, no matter their standing point. The artwork was envisioned as a Renaissance-era scene, including a depiction of patron Richard S. "Dick" Kiuchi, who funded the project.
Violinist Gigante, one of the orchestra members featured in the mural, recalled how she discovered her presence in the mural: "I found out about my outsized presence on the mural when I drove by it and saw my hairline, then eyes, going up on the building". Another musician, oboist Vogel, said he didn't recall the exact photo shoot that was used for the mural, but that it "came from one of our many photographs".
The Birkenstock building, an iconic Bay Area landmark, is also located off Highway 101 near Novato in Marin County. The building has been vacant since the German shoe company moved out in 2020.
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The Central Freeway in San Francisco
In June 2021, work began on a project to paint the undergirding of the Central Freeway in an eye-catching "Coronado Blue". The project, which is expected to be completed by May 2024, has a budget of $30.9 million.
A group of activists has called for the Central Freeway to be torn down from Market to Bryant streets and replaced with a grand boulevard and housing. This proposal aims to create a more pedestrian-friendly environment and potentially increase the availability of housing in the area.
The Central Freeway has played a significant role in the development of San Francisco's transportation network and continues to be a subject of discussion and transformation.
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The mysterious Downtown LA building near the 101
The mural was created by artist Kent Twitchell, known for his hyperrealistic murals that resemble actual photographs. Twitchell spent several years working on the project, envisioning a kinetic scene of musicians, some playing and others simply holding their instruments. He wanted it to appear as if the musicians were warming up backstage and that, no matter where a viewer stood, every member of the orchestra would be looking directly into their eyes.
One of the musicians featured in the mural, violinist Gigante, recalled how she discovered her presence in the mural:
> "I don't think we knew it was going to be a mural. I found out about it when I drove by it and saw my hairline, then eyes, going up on the building."
The mural stands out not only for its size and photorealistic style but also for its unusual subject matter. Unlike the typical giant roadside billboards or stadium concert listings in the area, this mural does not seem to be selling anything. Instead, it is a unique piece of art that has become an iconic part of the Downtown LA landscape, offering a brief moment of surprise and intrigue for drivers amidst the confusion and rage often inspired by the city's freeway system.
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The Cedros Design District
Highway 101, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, stretches for 790 miles along the Pacific Ocean from San Diego, California, to the Oregon border. The highway is known for its charming beach communities, surf shops, and funky boutiques, providing a glimpse into the simpler, quieter lifestyle of the past.
One notable establishment within the Cedros Design District is the Belly-Up Tavern, hailed as one of the hottest clubs on the West Coast by Rolling Stone magazine. The tavern features intimate live music performances by some of America's finest artists. The vibrant and creative atmosphere of the district attracts both locals and tourists alike, making it a thriving hub of activity and cultural exchange.
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Frequently asked questions
The building with painted eyes on Highway 101 in Downtown LA is a parking garage. The 8-story mural on the building depicts a cluster of classical musicians, including a violinist and an oboist.
The mural was painted by Kent Twitchell, a classical music fan known for his hyperrealistic murals.
The building is a parking garage.
The mural was painted in the early 1990s.
Yes, there is an iconic triangular building known as the Birkenstock building near Novato in Marin County. It was designed by the architect John Savage Bolles in the early 1960s and has been vacant since 2020.
