Cats: On Architecture

Each of Marsak Manor’s five felines is possessed of markedly distinct opinions and temperament. So, the kitties having perused our recently-published Marsak’s Guide to Bunker Hill, I asked them to discuss their favorite building. Read what they have to say, below: 

PUMPKIN PATCH

“The Subway Terminal is my favorite, as its design references the glories of Europe, but was also built to facilitate interbellum technological prowess. I just purr over that sort of delicious interplay. That said, I’ve heard the structure has since lost its monumental rooftop urns, which hurts my heart. Please tell me that amongst your many endeavors, you are working on their restoration?”

GHOSTIE

“The Courthouse and Hall of Administration, obviously. They evoke the calm, confident charm of the Late Moderne, arguably the most elegant of Postwar building styles. Note the cool hand of Paul R. Williams. It’s a shame these two structures are so misunderstood.”

BORIS

“What’s funny is, it’s the worst buildings on Bunker Hill that intrigue me, which makes them my favorite, in an odd way. I mean, people make a lot of noise about the spiritual emptiness of those muscular granite-clad Reagan-era office towers, and those intrigue me too, but for my money it’s really the whole collection of Kamnitzer-Cotton projects on the Hill that are both insanely forgettable and yet burn themselves into your memory with a sort of aggressive vacuity. I see this guide covers Peter Kamnitzer’s bland Promenade condo complex and the goofy Grand Promenade Apartments, but the most egregious of his work has to be Promenade Towers. Which are great, if you dig jagged, angry concrete filing cabinets. Kind of our version of the khrushchevka yet somehow even worse. Like, it’s common to think of the eighties as just so much new wave-colored depthless giltz, but this perfect storm of overbearing ugliness typifies the true heart of 1980s America, wouldn’t you say?”

LARB

“Nathan, I have glanced at your book containing images and descriptions of Bunker Hill’s contemporary architecture. The very idea is, of course, distasteful, and the actual physical production of this little effort of yours is both garish and crass. While I have issues with your first book, Bunker Hill Los Angeles, at least therein you discussed Andrew Jackson Downing and Charles Eastlake. This product, though, is a gauche, gaudy delve into a debased modern world, to which I prefer not to be exposed, thank you.”

MR. PINEAPPLE

“I like this one cuz it’s funny!”

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Should you (or your cats) wish to gauge the worth and merit of Bunker Hill’s architectural offerings—from the 1901 Third Street Tunnel to the 2023 Regional Connector Station, and everything in between—be sure to pick up this nifty, 64-page guide! They are $25 postpaid, which you may remit via Paypal to marsakster@gmail.com or Venmo to eckener@kingpix.com, or send your cash/check to PO Box 412636, Los Angeles, CA 90041. They are as well available on Amazon and eBay.

This is a limited run, and when they’re gone, they’re gone!