Disney concert hall

[Al]

I was browsing the bbc news archive and came across a story about waly disneys widow dying, a few years back. here is a quote on what i found:

"Later in her life, Mrs Disney raised money for the much-delayed Disney Concert Hall, the future home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. She began the effort with a $50m contribution a decade ago.

But she did not live to see it completed as construction funding remains short of its target and all that sits on the downtown site today is a concrete foundation and a car park. The 2,350-seat hall is now scheduled to open in 2001. "

Bearing in mind that this was written in 1997 i think. Does anyone know any more on this subject?

 

[Disneylove]

'tis true

They are currently undergoing construction on the Walt Disney Concert Hall -- I'm not sure when it's scheduled to open but I can tell you it's not 2001 since it's not completed yet and of course, it's already 12/13/01! I'm guessing next year sometime.

I work in downtown LA and can see it from my building. It looks like it'll be really nice and has a architectural and modern feel to it. I can't wait until it opens - Disney always does a nice job by way of aesthetics.

HTH!

 

[timoteo]

Disney had nothing to do with the design of the Disney Concert Hall. It was designed by Frank Gehry. Unfortunately, Disney couldn't design a piece like the Concert Hall. However, they do know people and can pay people who can. This is good news for Architects. Mr. Eisner and the WD Co. pride themselves as collector of Architecture. Sometimes they have picked the wrong man for the job. I am not sure if they (The Company) really had a hand in choosing Mr. Gehry since the Concert Hall is funded, if I am not mistaken, by a separate foundation. LA is very lucky to get yet another great building by Mr. Gehry.

 

[Disneylove]

Sorry

Sorry for the misconception. I just assumed that since it was the "Disney Concert Hall" that they had some sort of part in it. I didn't know there were "Disney" architects that did other things for Disney -- I just assumed that they hired people to design and build some things.

Oh well, looks nice anyway.

 

[timoteo]

No need to apologize. Having worked for disney as an architect I found out that very little architecture is actually designed by Disney. Yes they do approve things and give direction, but they prefer to hire architectural and engineering firms and big name architects to design the hotels, back of house buildings, roads, signage, graphics, lighting, theatrical stages, and even some rides, The theme park details or ride "dressing",and animitronics for lack of better word is always Disney Imagineering. I would say that a good 75% of the total construction is designed, produced and construction managed by outside firms. This is the most cost effective way to operate for Disney. How they work with each of these firms differs depending on the project.