Is Los Angeles the Museum Capital of the United States?

Los Angeles County Planner Clement Lau continues his case for proclaiming the City of Angels as the museum capital of the United States.

1 minute read

June 23, 2014, 1:00 PM PDT

By melaniecj


While Los Angeles might not be known in art circles as the museum capital of America, Los Angeles County Planner Clement Lau thinks the city should be in the running.

In his latest installment of a three-part series on local museums, Lau reviews the MOCA Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, the Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena, and the Los Angeles River and Gardens Center near downtown.

“This MOCA is located on the Pacific Design Center or PDC campus which is a 1.2 million-square foot multi-use facility which houses the West Coast’s top decorating and furniture market, with showrooms, public and private spaces, and two restaurants.  Designed by architect Cesar Pelli, the 14-acre campus opened in1975, and is home to three iconic buildings: the 750,000-square foot Center Blue, 450,000-square foot Center Green, and 400,000-square foot Center Red.”

Lau goes on to describe the Pacific Asia Museum, a National Register of Historic Places listed structure which was built in 1926 and designed in the style of a Chinese imperial palace. He also reviews the Los Angeles River and Gardens Center, which while not a museum officially, is a must-see for those wanting to see the city’s historic attractions.

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