That parking podium is no better - and possibly worse - than the one at the Watermarke tower on 9th and Flower, which also has ground floor retail to activate the base. The City really needs to create strict architectural guidelines for above ground parking garages requiring them to have some sort of meaningful facade treatment that adequately disguises the parking aspect while providing adequate ventilation for the garage itself. The parking garage on Spring between 3rd and 4th is a good starting point. Or even the podium on 717 Olympic, which while not the best treatment, at least makes a decent attempt to incorporate the garage into the overall aesthetic of the building (which isn't that good to start with).
This design is embarrassing at best. It's largely open - almost flauntingly so on the sides - and doesn't in any way relate to the aesthetic of the rest of the building. This is clearly where some of the cost savings are taking place, and sitting just above eye level, it will be just as bad of an eyesore on that area as the Watermarke podium is on 9th and Flower.
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"Then each time Fleetwood would be not so much overcome by remorse as bedazzled at having been shown the secret backlands of wealth, and how sooner or later it depended on some act of murder, seldom limited to once."
Against the Day, Thomas Pynchon
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