Pale Retiree writes:
Now under construction on W. 28th St. in Manhattan, a new apartment building by international superstar/curse Zaha Hadid:
This is part of the High Line District, an area that’s been turned into a playground for trendy starchitecture. Much as I enjoy the occasional breezy walk on the High Line, I find the new buildings around it appalling. The area doesn’t look like a city to me, it looks like a glossy jumble; I find it about as appealing as Clearance Day at a chic kitchen-appliance store.
In case you’re wondering what a city looks like when it’s been under sustained assault by today’s big-name architects, I give you a recent view of London’s financial district:
How anyone can find that anything but an aggressively repellent mess I have no idea. Why do we celebrate people who are ruining our cities?
Related
- Co-blogger Eddie Pensier takes a smart and horrified look at the buildings surrounding the High Line.
Blowhard, Esq.
Callowman
Sherbrooke
Eddie Pensier
Enzo Nakamura
Epaminondas
Fabrizio del Wrongo
Fenster
Brundle Guy
Glynn Marshes
Paleo Retiree
Atypical Neurotic
Question Lady
Sax von Stroheim
Sir Barken Hyena
The Mistaken
Uncouth Reflections 
Nice contrast between concept – the first design is at least attractive as sleek image – and the reality on the ground. Despite living in London the second picture is still a shock. I wonder how the promoters of the individual buildings and style would defend this outcome?
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At least at the store you get cheap appliances, which are useful.
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