August 17, 2005
Griffith Observatory Images
The Skunks of Los Feliz points out that the Griffith Observatory website has been updated with new photographs of the building's renovation. There are images of the new, fully-enclosed Gunther Depths of Space exhibit hall and the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon theater, as well as other shots of the historic building, showing the project's progression since April 2003.
Built in 1935, the Griffith Observatory is engaged in a long-planned and much needed revitalization. After more than 66 years of continuous use, visits by nearly 70 million people, and no significant capital improvements, the Observatory is undergoing a major renovation and expansion. Every system and element of the Observatory is being restored to its original grandeur and improved for the current level of public use (nearly two million visitors a year), including a state-of-the-art planetarium theater.
The Observatory is also being expanded by excavating under a portion of the front lawn and western terrace, effectively doubling the building's size without changing its classic appearance. Among the additions are a new presentation theater, two large new exhibit areas, a new on-site cafe, an expanded bookstore, new elevators (to improve access to the entire building), and more restrooms.
The Observatory closed to the public on January 6, 2002. Work is expected to be be complete in the summer of 2005. After equipment and exhibits are installed, the Observatory will reopen on May 14, 2006, on its 71st anniversary.
For a complete history of the Griffith Observatory, visit:
http://griffithobs.org/GO%20history%20article/GOhistory.html
More information on the Observatory's renovation & expansion can be found at:
http://griffithobs.org/renovation.html
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