One of the first high-profile casualties of the economic collapse, Jean Nouvel's pretty green tower ain't happening, at least not in the immediate future. The Los Angeles Business Journal's Daniel Miller reports that SunCal—developer of the 45-story, 177-unit condo tower—released a statement saying, "We have been unable to obtain assurances of continued funding that would allow us to move forward with confidence at this point in time." The LABJ says the project has been shelved, but SunCal keeps the door open by saying they hope to restart the project as soon as financing is shored up. Earlier this month, SunCal gave out a not entirely reassuring-sounding statement on the project, claiming that it was still going forward. But some may be happy with the latest news—as seen in the comments in an earlier post, 10000 Santa Monica was seen by some as a pedestrian-killing "monster of a building that would house fifty or so billionaires."
C'est horrible! Au revoir, Nouvel. A look back at the whole green process:
February 2008: At a midday press conference at the Beverly Hills Four Seasons, French architect Jean Nouvel announces plans for a 45-story tower.
March 2008: Novel wins Pritzker Prize.
June 2008: Nouvel appears on Charlie Rose, talks about incorporating nature into his work.
June 2008: Nouvel appears at the 38th Annual Los Angeles Architecture Awards at the Beverly Hills Hilton. A rep for developer SunCal Cos tells us after the reception that the project is in its second design phase. Interesting tidbit: MC of the reception is Dwell editor/KCRW host Frances Anderton; during her presentation she makes a point of asking Nouvel: "When and if the project will be built." So clearly there are already doubts that the project is still going on.
July 2008: A new rendering emerges of the project.
September 2008: Wall Street Journal runs an extensive story that looks at the SunCal-Lehman Bros. relationship; weeks later Lehman Bros collapses.
October 2, 2008: A rep for SunCal gives us a statement indicating work on the project is ongoing.
· Credit Crisis Catches Up to Commercial [LABJ]
· How's that Leafy Green Nouvel Building [Curbed LA]For more stories from Curbed LA, go to la.curbed.com.
