Listen Live
Donate
 on air
    Schedule

    KCRW

    Read & Explore

    • News
    • Entertainment
    • Food
    • Culture
    • Events

    Listen

    • Live Radio
    • Music
    • Podcasts
    • Full Schedule

    Information

    • About
    • Careers
    • Help / FAQ
    • Newsletters
    • Contact

    Support

    • Become a Member
    • Become a VIP
    • Ways to Give
    • Shop
    • Member Perks

    Become a Member

    Donate to KCRW to support this cultural hub for music discovery, in-depth journalism, community storytelling, and free events. You'll become a KCRW Member and get a year of exclusive benefits.

    DonateGive Monthly

    Copyright 2026 KCRW. All rights reserved.

    Report a Bug|Privacy Policy|Terms of Service|
    Cookie Policy    |FCC Public Files|

    Back to Design and Architecture

    Design and Architecture

    SUVs are back, the family behind Wilshire Grand

    The return of SUVs was the big trend at this year's LA Auto Show. And what is the future of electric mobility under a Trump administration? And the longtime LA architecture firm A.C. Martin Partners is putting the finishing touches on Wilshire Grand Center. Cousins Chris and David Martin discuss the challenges of building LA's tallest skyscraper and the firm's future.

    • rss
    Download MP3
    • Share
    By Frances Anderton • Nov 22, 2016 • 29m Listen

    Photo: Construction workers on the roof of Wilshire Grand Center (Photo by Sean Dellorco/KCRW)

    In this episode

    2 stories
    1. 0:30

      SUVs are back at LA auto show

      The LA Auto Show will attract big crowds this week to see the latest models, from Chevrolet to Ferrari. DnA went down to the convention center to find out what's getting buzz this year.

      Read the story
      13 min
    2. 13:38

      The family behind Wilshire Grand

      For many years, Los Angeles City Hall was the tallest building in the city. Now a new tower, Wilshire Grand Center, is taking that title, at 1,099 feet. The architecture firm AC Martin designed both buildings.

      Read the story
      15 min
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Frances Anderton

      architecture critic and author

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Avishay Artsy

      Producer, DnA: Design and Architecture

      Culture

    In this episode

    2 stories
    1. 0:3013 min

      SUVs are back at LA auto show

    2. 13:3815 min

      The family behind Wilshire Grand

    Back to Design and Architecture