The Binoculars Building is the common name of Google's Venice campus in Los Angeles, California. Originally known as the Chiat/Day Building, it was built in 1991 for the advertising agency Chiat/Day (now TBWA\Chiat\Day) and designed by architect Frank Gehry. The building has a prominent public artwork entitled Giant Binoculars (1991), designed by artists Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, on its street-facing façade, hence the vernacular name.[1]

Binoculars Building
The Binoculars Building seen in May 2007
Map
Alternative namesChiat/Day Building
General information
TypeCommercial office
Architectural stylePostmodern
Address340 Main Street
Town or cityVenice, Los Angeles, California
CountryUnited States
Coordinates33°59′43″N 118°28′37″W / 33.99539°N 118.47692°W / 33.99539; -118.47692
Current tenantsGoogle
Completed1991
OwnerW. P. Carey & Co.
Design and construction
Architect(s)Frank Gehry

The Giant Binoculars sculpture covers both a car and pedestrian entrance; the entrance to the parking garage is between the two telescopes of the binoculars. The 75,000-square-foot (7,000 m2) building was delayed for a few years after hazardous materials were found on the building site, requiring removal. The latest tenant of this building was Google in 2011,[2] which added two neighboring buildings as part of a major expansion to establish a larger employment presence in Los Angeles.[3][4][5]

Panorama showing proportion of the building in May 2007.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Google Binoculars Building". Venice Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  2. ^ Sarno, David (January 26, 2011). "Google Leases Office Complex in Venice". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 2019-12-12. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  3. ^ Verini, James (11 September 2003). "L.A.: Gehry's laboratory". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
  4. ^ Sarno, David (26 January 2011). "Google leases office complex in Venice". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
  5. ^ Carlson, Nicholas (8 February 2011). "Photos Of Google's Wacky New "Binoculars Building" Office On Venice Beach". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
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