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December 29, 2011
Bruce Ratner's Exercise in Bland
The Wall Street Journal
by Robbie Whelan
Up until now, the design story of Bruce Ratner's mega arena and mixed-use project at Atlantic Yards has involved a feeling of betrayal and then later, a sense of partial redemption.
Now there's a new chapter with the unveiling last month of Mr. Ratner's plans for the residential component of the project. This one could be titled "Playing it Safe." The design for Atlantic Yards' apartments doesn't offend, but ultimately they serve as an unsatisfying conclusion to the story.
Actually, many critics of Atlantic Yards find this highly offensive, especially since the "cutting-edge Frank Gehry design" and "15,000 unionized construction jobs" were key elements of Bruce Ratner's massive bait-and-switch.
Critics who long for great architecture are unlikely to be appeased by the design of the first apartment building.
Related coverage...
Brownstoner, Ratner ‘Playing it Safe’ With Atlantic Yards Design?
Posted by eric at December 29, 2011 9:39 AM