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    Greater LA

    Best architectural makeovers of 2019: Formosa Cafe, Christ Cathedral, and more

    This year, many spaces and buildings got patched up, refurbished, and/or redone. Or they’re in the process of it. Frances Anderton, host of KCRW’s “Design and Architecture,” runs through her list of the best LA makeovers of 2019.

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    Person smiling broadly wearing glasses and plaid shirt against ivy-covered wall background.By Steve Chiotakis • Dec 25, 2019 • 1 min read

    This year, many spaces and buildings got patched up, refurbished, and/or redone. Or they’re in the process of it. Frances Anderton, host of KCRW’s “Design and Architecture,” runs through her list of the best LA makeovers of 2019. They include Platform Park, a garden under the Expo line in Culver City; Second Home Hollywood, a kind of anti-WeWork space; Christ Cathedral, a really shiny church in Orange County; “LA Plaza Village/Fort Moore Pioneer Memorial,” a bright and lively spot in downtown LA; and the Formosa Cafe in West Hollywood, which has a lot of history.

    The full episode

    6 of 7
    Special broadcast: KCRW’s best of 2019
    1. 0:00Best movies of 2019: ‘Parasite,’ ‘The Irishman,’ and more
    2. 15:02Best documentaries of 2019: ‘Apollo 11,’ ‘Honeyland,’ and more
    3. 15:24Best neighborhood restaurants of 2019: Joy, Mh Zh, and more
    4. 25:10Best TV shows of 2019: ‘Watchmen,’ ‘Fleabag,’ and more
    5. 47:21Best of 2019 books: ‘Where Reasons End,’ ‘Black Leopard, Red Wolf,’ and more
    6. 56:32Best architectural makeovers of 2019: Formosa Cafe, Christ Cathedral, and moreYou’re reading this
    7. 64:41Best LA musicians of 2019: Billie Eilish, Finneas, and more
    • Person smiling broadly wearing glasses and plaid shirt against ivy-covered wall background.

      Steve Chiotakis

      Afternoon News Anchor

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

      Madeleine Brand

      Host, 'Press Play'

    • KCRW placeholder

      Christian Bordal

      Managing Producer, Greater LA

    • KCRW placeholder

      Jenna Kagel

      Radio producer

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

      Frances Anderton

      architecture critic and author

      CultureLos AngelesCalifornia

    The full episode

    6 of 7
    Special broadcast: KCRW’s best of 2019
    1. 0:00Best movies of 2019: ‘Parasite,’ ‘The Irishman,’ and more
    2. 15:02Best documentaries of 2019: ‘Apollo 11,’ ‘Honeyland,’ and more
    3. 15:24Best neighborhood restaurants of 2019: Joy, Mh Zh, and more
    4. 25:10Best TV shows of 2019: ‘Watchmen,’ ‘Fleabag,’ and more
    5. 47:21Best of 2019 books: ‘Where Reasons End,’ ‘Black Leopard, Red Wolf,’ and more
    6. 56:32Best architectural makeovers of 2019: Formosa Cafe, Christ Cathedral, and moreYou’re reading this
    7. 64:41Best LA musicians of 2019: Billie Eilish, Finneas, and more
    Back to Greater LA