In reviewing the design and structure of L.A.'s new
Staples Center, architectural critic Nicolai Ouroussoff
writes that the new arena "does a lot of things right."
Ouroussoff: "At a time when many arenas are just enormous
blots on urban landscapes -- big, bland fortress-like boxes
floating in seas of parked cars -- Staples Center achieves a
real connection with its urban context." Ouroussoff notes
that CA-based architectural firm NBBJ Sports & Entertainment
has "produced a sleek, dynamic design that addresses the
pedestrian city while losing little of its power as a piece
of large-scale urban infrastructure." But Ouroussoff adds
that the facility "is not the kind of strong architectural
statement that makes a civic monument" because it "lacks
both compositional subtlety and structural power. The
result is a building that reaches for the stars but quickly
tumbles back to earth" (L.A. TIMES, 10/20).
ALL GONE: All 160 suites at the Staples Center, which
are priced between $197,500 - $307,500 per year, have been
sold. The arena still has about 200 of its 2,500 premier
seats remaining, which cost $12,995 and $14,995 for the
season (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 10/18 issue). Kings co-
Owner Ed Roski, whose team debuts at the arena tonight
against the Bruins: "Everything is in place. This is a very
exciting time for everyone, but we know the only thing that
will bring people back is winning" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 10/20).
