Union Square Retail Changes

Virgin is closing but....
Diesel will be opening on Market St
Bulgari is taking over the old Gucci space
Paul Smith is opening their first SF store!

Some big changes coming to Union Square. Most are not surprised that the Virgin Megastore is closing next month, after 14 years at the corner of Market and Stockton. The one in Vancouver closed a long time ago. A loser in the new digital music world, I will be sad to see this media megastore close. I have fond memories of browsing their huge DVD selection (though rarely buying there after the internet stores became so much cheaper) and previewing new CD's. Is the retail media store concept totally dead?? It sure looks like it. A more troubling issue is WHO will rent this huge space in this economy? My dream: Japan's MUJI store, which already has retail stores in NYC.

On the bright side, it looks like there will be new stores for luxury retailer Bulgari in the old Gucci space; Diesel, which will be opening right across from Apple, and putting into question whether their current store on 101 Post will stay open; and British icon Sir Paul Smith will be opening their first SF store at 46 Geary St, only a block from John Varvatos. I think this will be only the fourth Paul Smith stand alone shop in the US (2 in NYC and one in LA), signifying Union Square as a must have location for top designers.

I'll Remember You

Slowly Falling

This kid is amazing...and his music is helping me heal today.

February Musings

Westfield Atrium

Mark Rothko at the SFMOMA gallery

We got some much needed rain this past long weekend in the Bay area. And what better time to visit my favorite hangout, SFMOMA. I really enjoy the space designed by Mario Botta, especially the large bookstore and modern design shop. I recently scored a great purchase, The Phaidon Atlas of Contemporary World Architecture, for almost 70% off the list price. It was a combo of clearance, sale and membership discounts. Plus, I had an old gift card with almost exactly the sale price...now that's serendipity!

The poor Metreon next to SFMOMA has been going through tough times. It was just announced that Sony is closing both the Sony Style and Playstation stores in the mall, leaving the cinema as the only reason to visit this once "state of the art" technology and entertainment complex. Of course there is still hope for a revival. In fact, Westfield (which owns the popular new mall SF Center) just bought the complex and is planning a big facelift. Also, Tavern on the Green has plans to open this year on the 4 th floor. I would love Apple to move in as well. They could certainly use a larger retail space in downtown SF, and they have shown they can make old concepts new and exciting. Strangely (and I don't remember this at all), Microsoft had a retail space in the Metreon back in the late 90's but closed in 2001. Apple has had a little more success in the retail front.

By the way, the two posted photos of the Westfield mall and SFMOMA were taken with my iphone camera and my favorite apps PANO and Panorama.

Oscars are going to be given out this Sunday. I've got my favorites, but I'm not emotionally attached to any one film or performance. Here are my picks, and the likely winners:

Best Picture: I like Milk, but it will likely go to crowd pleaser Slumdog Millionaire.

Best Director: I like Gus Van Sant, but it will go to Danny Boyle (pic and director usually go together, except one disasterous year...)

Best Actor: I like both the likely winners Sean Penn and Mickey Rourke - probably the most exciting race to watch.

Best Actress: I like Anne Hathaway, but it will likely go to Kate Winslet (or Meryl the great)

Best Supporting Actor: I like Josh Brolin in Milk, but it's already engraved with Heath Ledger.

Best Supporting Actress: I like all the actresses, but Viola Davis really stood out. Penelope Cruz is the most likely, but her momentum is dying.

Let's see if I can win the pool at the Oscar party!

Oakland Cathedral of Christ The Light

Oakland Cathedral of Christ The Light
Originally uploaded by etslee

My self guided video tour of the new Oakland Cathedral, by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (Craig Hartman). ---->

I got lucky on a Saturday visit, the place was pretty quiet and I got the chance to explore and take pictures on my own. The space feels huge, but it's actually quite compact. A mix of modern design (think Dwell) and dramatic religious imagery...I want to get married here! Oh yeah, I have to find a partner first.

Links: WSJ review

Architectural Record focus on the Bay Area

I was totally engrossed in the current issue of Architectural Record, as it focused on my hometown of SF and the Bay area. The splotlight was on 4 projects, 2 of which I have photographed quite extensively: California Academy Of Sciences (Piano), Contemporary Jewish Museum (Libeskind), Oakland Cathedral of Christ the Light (SOM), and the Starr East Asian Library at UC Berkeley (Williams, Tsien). John King, SF Gate's own urban design critic also contributed on the local low income housing projects that have garnered much design praise (which goes to show you don't have to spend millions to have good design). Also, you can't write about SF Architecture without mentioning Stanley Saitowitz and Jim Jennings. I can only fantasize about my oceanfront property and custom designed home by Jennings. (sigh)

Favorite Films 2008

I hesitate to do this list as I've not seen all the late 2008 entries (like Wrestler, Reservation Road), but I think I've seen enough. Overall, I would have to say 2008 was a good year, and most of the expected Oscar hopefuls have turned out to be good to great. While my favorite directors didn't have anything out in 2008, I became fans of new performers and directors.

Favorite Films:

5) Man On Wire - This documentary about Phillipe Petit, the charismatic self taught tight rope walker who traversed the twin towers in 1974, wonderfully blends archival footage, interviews and dramatization.

4) Tell No One - The best thriller this year came from France.

3) Milk - Sean Penn, James Franco, Josh Brolin and director Gus Van Sant finally bring Harvey Milk to the big screen, and do him justice. But please, see the documentary as well.

2) The Fall - Tarsem Singh's film was 4 years in the making, and it's beauty is breathtaking. I just wish I caught in on the big screen.

1) Rachel Getting Married - Jonathan Demme and a brilliant ensemble cast bring Jenny Lumet's script to life. This decade's "Ordinary People".