Design
A solid-white obelisk, which, at night, features the words "Irvine Spectrum" vertically projected onto it, located on the northern corner near the 5 freeway, makes it a landmark of the area. The obelisk, prior to November, 2005, was a multi-color computer generated display of blues, greens, and purples. During the holiday seasons, various season-appropriate symbols were also displayed. However, beginning in November, 2005, the obelisk now shines in a bright white color that still makes it a landmark. The obelisk conceals a cell phone and television tower inside of it.
The Irvine Spectrum Center also features a large custom built Giant Wheel (Ferris Wheel) hand crafted in Italy and shipped through the Panama Canal, as well as a Carousel, fabricated in San Francisco. The unusual architecture of the mall is based on the Alhambra in Granada, Spain, figuring most prominently in the mall's second phase. The Center's popularity makes it known for being tough to find parking on Friday and Saturday nights after 5. However, as popularity grew, the Irvine Company, owner of the Center, built two parking structures, (one on each side): one by Edwards, the other by Nordstrom to aid convenience. The structures have sensors that determine how many vehicles are inside at any given moment. As you enter the structure, a large digital display will tell you how many spots are left on a given level. As a result of the structures, more space was open to build additional retail stores including as Nordstrom, Anthropologie, Jos A. Bank, The Saleen Store (Converted to SMS Motor cars), and Target. For those not wanting to look too long for a stall, the Center features four valet parking stations 1) Fortune Valet by the Cheesecake Factory and Javier's Cantina; 2) Gateway Valet by PF Chang's, 3) Tradesman Valet by The Yard house/The Improv, and 4) Myrtle's Valet near Johnny Rockets/Dave & Buster's (open lesser hours). Valet customers may also get their cars detailed while they shop.
Read more about this topic: Irvine Spectrum Center
Famous quotes containing the word design:
“Delay always breeds danger; and to protract a great design is often to ruin it.”
—Miguel De Cervantes (1547–1616)
“For I choose that my remembrances of him should be pleasing, affecting, religious. I will love him as a glorified friend, after the free way of friendship, and not pay him a stiff sign of respect, as men do to those whom they fear. A passage read from his discourses, a moving provocation to works like his, any act or meeting which tends to awaken a pure thought, a flow of love, an original design of virtue, I call a worthy, a true commemoration.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“I begin with a design for a hearse.
For Christ’s sake not black—
nor white either—and not polished!
Let it be weathered—like a farm wagon—”
—William Carlos Williams (1883–1963)