Culver City, the movietown that has change quite significantly. It really show what a small community can change the fabric, But is change is good for the better part of society?

I remember that downtown Culver City, which Washington Boulevard and Culver Boulevard intersect each other, was mostly an area where middle class families hang out and eat at family own restaurant. The only restaurant that is still a fixture of the local business and the area is the S & W Country Diner.

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S & W Country Diner along Washington Boulevard.

What has change is the gentrification of the area. There are boutique restaurants, replacing San Gennaro and Sagebrush Cantina, Starbucks has invaded it and there is burgeoning arts district along the east portion of Washington Boulevard.

The most interesting and successful revitalization of Downtown Culver City is it becoming a part of the urban fabric. The historic Culver Hotel is the integral part of the restructuring of downtown with an open public space and the Lion King fountain. Plus, a new movie complex to go with it. The sidewalks along Culver Boulevard are far and wide with outdoor dining, benches, lush greenery and trees that canvas over the area is such a attraction which gives Culver City which gives a boost in their identity and quality of life.

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The Lion King (or the MGM Lion) fountain with the historic Culver Hotel in the background.

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Wide sidewalks with trees, outdoor seating, park benches along Culver Boulevard, near the cross section of Washington Boulevard.

Another part of the revitalization of Culver City is the Hayden Tract on the southern industrial area of Culver City, which is near the intersection of National and La Cienega Boulevard. Designed by Eric Owen Moss, much of the development is taking old industrial warehouse and converting/integrating them into über-strass Style Architecture; a Metropolis meets Freddy Kruger approach towards urban theory and design. It’s hard to point the dots when there is no cohesiveness and connection when they are competing themselves in a disturbing way. Much of the interest goes towards the construction and detailing. It would be interesting if you take that approach and integrate in Downtown Culver City. The ideal is to take a more structural design like Moss into a historical facade of Downtown. It really depends on execution and subtlety, which is not his strong points.

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The Box on National Blvd. by Eric Own Moss (from Moss website)

Soon, Culver City will have a connective transportation, which is the Expo Line developed by the MTA in 2010. It is an integral part of Culver City as being a important part of the the region’s infrastructure, but a new appreciation for Culver City. Hopefully mix-used housing will come to play as far as bringing people away from the automobile and make it a sustainable community.

Song of the Blog: When Stars Go Blue by Ryan Adams on the CD Gold