This is definitely a love it or hate it building on the corner of Fair Oaks and Misson. I'm fairly certain it used to be a bank -- just notice the depository slot in front. Now, from what I can tell, it houses some sort of furniture or interior design showroom. I keep meaning to investigate --but I always get caught up in the unusual aquamarine tile exterior. Many of you have probably realized by now that I have a soft spot for structures with unexpected colors. I just love this place ... in all its flashy blue splendor.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Almost five at Mission and Fair Oaks
This is definitely a love it or hate it building on the corner of Fair Oaks and Misson. I'm fairly certain it used to be a bank -- just notice the depository slot in front. Now, from what I can tell, it houses some sort of furniture or interior design showroom. I keep meaning to investigate --but I always get caught up in the unusual aquamarine tile exterior. Many of you have probably realized by now that I have a soft spot for structures with unexpected colors. I just love this place ... in all its flashy blue splendor.
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27 comments:
Hello Laurie !
Yes very flashy this blue !
And the "feux tricolores ", it is for who ?
Somehow, there is something not quite right about this photo - like it has been squashed. The traffic lights seem, to my eye, not quite high enough ... an optical illusion, maybe.
Hopper! Again one artist Hopper. From the clock, the static lights, the bending shadow and the bathroom style tiles it's a very striking image. The colour is the icing on the cake. It's a very surreal image as the eye wants to rearrange the layout into a more orderly arrangement, but then it wouldn't linger once you look away. Compelling image and shows how the right colour can be spot on.
I like the juxtaposition between the big sweeping shadow and the small clock and drop box. The complimentary turquoise and pop of red on the curb add visual interest as well. The color reminds me of our 1957 Chevrolet Belair station wagon. You are so good at architectural shots. I really like the linear quality , with enough curves to make it more than just right angles. :~)
First, I love the lights/shadows thing going on. Second the color reminds me of somebody's bathroom!HA
And Judy just jogged my memory of our 57 Chevy! Hey, I just notice the red curb- perfecto.
The bendy shadow of the traffic light makes for an interesting composition.
Personally I like the aqua blue tiles - although I can understand Virginia's point. The color is sort of bathroom-y. :) I think we need some colorful buildings to brighten things up though.
Interesting perspective shot. It makes the viewers think it has been smooshed or is smaller than it really is. Does the clock actually work now? It did not used to. It is in fact, dinner plate sized or bigger.
The traffic controls are full sized and at normal height. I think the shadows give us the impression they are smaller. The Deposit box and slot are full sized. I believe the tiles are something like 9" in tall each but yes, are 50's-60's turquoise blue, which is, I believe, when they were installed. This building was always a sore spot with a few people in town---"that awful blue building just sticks out and is NOT a SoPas standard!" I heard one friends mother say once.
It used to be the Security Pacific Bank building. I think somewhere in the late late 70's or early 80's they move across the street kitty corner, then out of business or taken over. And yes, it has been a furniture place ever since, though I suspect off and on---oftentimes looking like no business is in there at all. At one point, there was a rumor the mob was "running" the furniture store. Someone else said they heard someone was running drugs out of the store. Nothing was ever proven that I know of. Yes, here in our little town, the mob and drugs! (gasp!) ;-)
The optical illusion of the "low" traffic signal lights is created by the shadow behind the supporting pole. The shadow makes the pole's circumference appear larger, so we see it's relationship to the traffic light as disproportionate.
That window with the closed blinds also makes us think the signal light is low, because we assume it is the same size and height as similar blinds in homes we've seen.
Also, Laurie is using her magical powers to have a little fun with us today.
this building was always kind of an assault to the senses, reminded me of the bottom of a public swimming pool. But I like the 50's jazzy look of this photo.
I love the turquoise, red, & black. The clock stands out though, as I'm not quite sure it belongs there. Perhaps you added that in?
I love it! I love the shadow of the traffic light on the turquoise green.
Well I love it, including the lipstick red curb.
I love the photo with all those late afternoon shadows and that great clock on the wall.
Hope---that clock has been there for at least 35 years that *I* know about---we're not being tricked.
And I think the signals are actually dark green, not black, despite what they may appear as well. ;-)
When I see aqua tile I think swimming pools and David Hockney.
I love this building - turquoise post-war optimism - sky's the limit back then.
Check out a book called "Populuxe" it's all about 50s design, very interesting.
Yup, David Hockney's LA.
Nope, don't like aqua/turquoise. I have little use for it. Clean skies look blue, not aqua.
Love, love, love the lines! LOVE the clock! Best of all, is that shade of red.
Great photo, Laurie. 8^)
Laurie, yes that did used to be a Security Pacific Bank branch. I think Gandell's is there now and they are working on fixing it up to what it used to be like. They open back up probably around Jan next year. Great shot have a great day.
Great shot, Laurie, as usual. That bank is so weird. Right in the center of town. Nobody uses the front door. Does anybody even buy furniture there? I know a guy who told me his relatives owned that furniture store. Not sure if they still do. I did scrounge around in their dumpster once when I needed some large pieces of cardboard.
Thanks, Trish, for clearing up my clock confusion. I'm glad to hear that the clock is really there. Sorry, Laurie. I really love this photo; I like the turquoise!
As of 3:40 pm today, the clock was working. I was pleasantly surprised not to find it at 3 minutes to 5!
Hey kids!
Thanks for indulging me a few optical illusions lately. I really enjoyed the confusion of this shot -- the traffic light that doesn't look like its the right size, the window that looks like it has vertical blinds which make the scale of the building wrong, that tiny and somewhat bizarre clock and, of course, the turquoise/aqua tile. The whole thing tickles my eyes and when I saw the bright afternoon light casting those curvy shadows -- well, I had to get a shot.
Thanks Trish for the interesting history lesson! I knew you and Mister Earl would know the scoop. And Colombo, too! I'm fascinated by the mob rumors. Wait a minute... there is a script forming in my mind about an antiques dealer by day/mobster by night:
INTERIOR NIGHT:
Young Joey sits in his office talking on the phone:
JOEY: "Charlie is going down. He'll be in the LA river. Tonight. Wrapped in one of our authentic Hamadan rugs!"
But I digress. :-)
Webradio, feux tricolors? Pouvez-vous expliquer?
Thank you everyone for such kind comments. It sure is fun to post for you guys!
I love the geometry and elements of this composition ... This is grand, Laurie!
On Flickr.com this should be my fav(ourite) !!!!
I grew up in South Pasadena (SPHS, Class of '84)and I used to walk by that building every day on the way to school. You're right, it used to be a bank...Bank of America.
This building was always the Security Pacific Bank before it became a furniture store.
I grew up in So Pasadena and I love this site! I remember my sister's father in law telling me about a bobbery at this bank where the police and the robber's exchanged gunfire. There were bullet pock marks in the blue tiles up until the day the renovation started.
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