Bergstrom Furniture to become a Element by Westin Hotel - Planning Comm Report

[Darkbeer1]

OK, here is the link to the 1,295 page report produced by the city of Anaheim.

http://local.anaheim.net/departmentfolders/planning/PC/Item2.pdf

At least the pretty pictures and maps are near the top of the report...

The new Property will be a Boutique, Extended Stay Green Hotel and Suites, here is the basic chain info...

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/element/index.html?language=en_US

FYI, the city council has already agreed to let the vacant land (part of a former Fire Station) to be used, basically since the land is not worth anything by itself, they will accept the future tax revenues as "payment" (Property Taxes, TOT, etc.) It has been vacant since the start of the widening of the I-5 freeway in the 1990's.

 

[NobodyElse]

I was having trouble opening that link, so here's a little something from the planning map:

 

[Darkbeer1]

The file takes a few minutes to open,as it is 1,295 pages, many of which contain graphics.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

I realize I'm nitpicking, but does every new building in the Anaheim Resort District have to be so bland and basic? This design looks like low income housing to me.

 

[GrizzlyAdams]

That's not nitpicking; it does look ugly and cheap.

 

[drizgirl]

It looks like a warehouse.

 

[NobodyElse]

The file takes a few minutes to open,as it is 1,295 pages, many of which contain graphics.

Yes, I got it to load eventually. It's kind if funny - if you zoom in to read the first few pages you're then hit with full-size "blueprints" that seem huge in comparison. Perhaps later I'll post a few screen-captures to better show the renderings.

 

[BubbaQuest]

Definitely looks like an urban prison center

Although if I understand the location correctly this is going to be shoved in between the new Disney parking garage and a freeway offramp, so I don't think it's going to have much competition in the good looks department

 

[Deleted member 107043]

I wonder why Anaheim's planning department doesn't insist on better, or at least more interesting, architecture in the Resort District.

 

[NobodyElse]

While not proclaiming a critical judgment either way, it at least seems like it won't stylistically clash with the Country Inn & Suites next door.

 

[TP2000]

I realize I'm nitpicking, but does every new building in the Anaheim Resort District have to be so bland and basic? This design looks like low income housing to me.

Eh, I see your point. But Anaheim has been saddled with so many dreary and cheap 1960's motels for so many decades, that I think the sudden spurt of corporate hotel architecture is a dramatic improvement. At least it looks clean and safe, which is something many Anaheim motels couldn't say 5 or 10 years ago.

Three words Hans; Little Boy Blue.

 

[NobodyElse]

Eh, I see your point. But Anaheim has been saddled with so many dreary 1960's motels for so many decades, that I think the sudden spurt of corporate hotel architecture is a dramatic improvement.

Three words Hans; Little Boy Blue.

It's not too hard to look at certain structures and guess the basic era they were built. It's no different with this recent crop of hotels.

Here's to hoping we all live ling enough to look back on even more "hotel fashion waves" in the future.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

Three words Hans; Little Boy Blue.

Yeah those places look like Four Seasons compared to that crack den.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

It's not too hard to look at certain structures and guess the basic era they were built. It's no different with this recent crop of hotels.

This is true, but wouldn't it be nice if the city established standards within the District with the goal of encouraging better and more distinctive design? Generic roadside inn circa 2015 seems like an awfully low bar for an area touting itself as a world class tourist and meeting destination.

 

[Stevek]

RIP Bergstrom's (yeah, I know it's been closed for a long time). I used to work in the Children's Furniture business about 25 years ago and we used to bulk buy car seats, swings, etc with them. Made many trips to their building. As for the hotel, looks fine. Pretty bland/simple but a vast upgrade over much of the older stuff in the area.

The interiors, judging just by their website, look pretty nice.

 

[NobodyElse]

This is true, but wouldn't it be nice if the city established standards within the District with the goal of encouraging better and more distinctive design? Generic roadside inn circa 2015 seems like an awfully low bar for an area touting itself as a world class tourist and meeting destination.

I understand your sentiment, and agree on the intended result of such a policy. (It's already happening, to an extent with zoning laws, standardized monument signage for the resort district, and other guidelines, plus the actual planning commission process.) I think what you're getting at is that you'd like a higher, more artistic standard. That's a lofty goal, but somebody would have to be in charge of making those judgments. Many of us could look at the same set of three buildings and come up with different assessments as to which ones met some sort of criteria for artistic value, functionality, longevity of design, etc.

To me, what seems to work best tends to be semi-classic design, with quality materials and modern building techniques. Think most Ritz Carltons, Montage Laguna Beach, and even the GCH. That's an expensive route many property owners aren't willing to take.

Cutting edge design can be exciting, but there's no guarantee that it'll stand the test of time (and some people may hate if from the start). That's another risk most of these owners aren't willing to take. That's understandable.

The current crop of hotels may seem a little bland, but they're generally unoffensive and safe. Confronted with the choice of "What would you rather own" or "Where would you rather stay", is it going to be one of these places, or Abby's Anaheimer Inn?

 

[drizgirl]

I understand your sentiment, and agree on the intended result of such a policy. (It's already happening, to an extent with zoning laws, standardized monument signage for the resort district, and other guidelines, plus the actual planning commission process.) I think what you're getting at is that you'd like a higher, more artistic standard. That's a lofty goal, but somebody would have to be in charge of making those judgments. Many of us could look at the same set of three buildings and come up with different assessments as to which ones met some sort of criteria for artistic value, functionality, longevity of design, etc.

To me, what seems to work best tends to be semi-classic design, with quality materials and modern building techniques. Think most Ritz Carltons, Montage Laguna Beach, and even the GCH. That's an expensive route many property owners aren't willing to take.

Cutting edge design can be exciting, but there's no guarantee that it'll stand the test of time (and some people may hate if from the start). That's another risk most of these owners aren't willing to take. That's understandable.

The current crop of hotels may seem a little bland, but they're generally unoffensive and safe. Confronted with the choice of "What would you rather own" or "Where would you rather stay", is it going to be one of these places, or Abby's Anaheimer Inn?

I thought most cities had such standards already.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

I thought most cities had such standards already.

So did I. Here in SF the Planning Commission has very strict (some might argue too strict) standards that vary by neighborhood for new building design.

 

[NobodyElse]

I thought most cities had such standards already.

They do. This design likely meets those standards and will be approved.

Dr. Hans would like a "higher standard", and it sounds like you would as well. Part of your standard might include the clause "New hotel properties may not look like a warehouse.". Then somebody's going to have to come up with a practical definition of warehouse design for all future hotels to be compared to. If you were on the planning commission, you might cite several examples of local warehouses that look similar or even nicer than this "Element" hotel. Then, they'd have to go back to the drawing board.

 

[drizgirl]

They do. This design likely meets those standards and will be approved.

Dr. Hans would like a "higher standard", and it sounds like you would as well. Part of your standard might include the clause "New hotel properties may not look like a warehouse.". Then somebody's going to have to come up with a practical definition of warehouse design for all future hotels to be compared to. If you were on the planning commission, you might cite several examples of local warehouses that look similar or even nicer than this "Element" hotel. Then, they'd have to go back to the drawing board.

Me? Yes, I think it looks a bit like a warehouse. But I honestly don't care one bit. I'm surprised they got approval for that design, but it makes no difference to me.