‘Syncopation’ landmark now a Culver City memory

Love it or hate it, it looks like Culver City has lost a signature visual landmark as the Culver Plaza building complex — uniquely identifiable by Ed Massey’s vibrant public artwork, “Syncopation” — is demolished in preparation for mixed-use property redevelopment.

Adjacent to Sony Studios and the Kirk Douglas Theater, the 7,000-square-foot painting measuring 241-feet long and 35-feet high, has been removed in sections before the building demolition, It has been transported to a Playa Vista educational facility, where it will be installed in the coming weeks visually transforming the campus in a colorful palette of blues, yellows, oranges, and greens.

Since 2004, the highly visible “Syncopation” — a monumental design of bold organic shapes — has greeted vehicular and pedestrian traffic, diners, theatergoers, studio and office personnel, and local business customers at the intersection of Washington Boulevard and Hughes Avenue in Culver City. Massey created the work specifically for the 9901 Washington Blvd. Culver Plaza complex, using mops as giant paint brushes on all-weather material. The completed painting was installed onto the building’s curved exterior walls in 11 separate sections, visually energizing the environment and vistas of the area.

The property belongs to development/management company NMS Properties. As Culver City residents say goodbye to the Culver Plaza Theatres and surrounding restaurants, including Choppe Choppe, Mezza Grill and Mrs. Garcia’s, according L.A. Curbed, they can look forward to the arrival of a six-story tall apartment building with 131 units (11 of which would be reserved for “very low-income” tenants). The building will also have 12,027 square feet of ground floor commercial and 253 parking spaces in one level of ground floor parking and an existing three levels of underground parking. The notice says that “The applicant seeks to allow flexibility for potential commercial space tenants so that a 100 percent restaurant use scenario may be possible.” NMS officials say they hope to have less parking for the restaurants than would otherwise be required (one space per 250 square feet rather than one per 100 square feet). NMS Properties is responsible for the recently upgraded “Luxe” properties that have gone up in recent years throughout the west side, this one known as “9901 Luxe.” According to NMS they are the, “…premiere destination for modern luxury apartments and affordable apartments in Santa Monica, West Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. NMS develops, owns and manages apartment buildings that add character and prestige to their neighborhoods. Each NMS apartment features the finest, modern finishes throughout and are located in some of the most desirable areas in Los Angeles including Santa Monica, Brentwood and the Wilshire Corridor. Each NMS property allows residents to take advantage of urban living at their doorstep with popular shops and restaurants just a short walk away!”

For more information on artist Ed Massey visit http://www.edmassey.com.