Theme building at LAX to reopen soon

Air Wear is sold at LAX in Terminal 4, a short walk from the Theme building. We're happy to read the building will re-open soon.

View LAX t-shirts, travel bags, and mugs

New York Times
April 17, 2010
In Los Angeles, the Saucer Is Ready to Land Again
By JENNIFER STEINHAUER
LOS ANGELES — Before they face traffic on the 405 freeway, grab an In-N-Out burger or zip off to Rodeo Drive to see whatever they think is there, visitors who arrive here through LAX first stare up at the futuristic spider-shaped building at the center of the airport, welcoming them to the edge of America.

The structure, the Theme Building at Los Angeles International Airport, is one of the most famous emblems of this city, right up there with palm trees, surfers and the Hollywood sign.

For the last three years, it was shrouded in scaffolding after a 1,000-pound chunk fell off one of the upper stucco-covered arches and landed on the roof of a restaurant. No one was injured, but the need for serious renovation was highlighted.

As the building was being repaired, and retrofitted to better withstand earthquakes, it served as a disorienting eyesore, rather than a welcoming icon.

Its completion was delayed several times, to the consternation of airport officials.

But now the $12.3-million project is nearly done — all but some roof treatments and a few coats of paint — and it will soon be back to its former glory, only with earthquake protection.

Maintaining the Theme Building’s midcentury flying-saucer shape while correcting for significant flaws in the design that threatened its structural integrity was a major challenge for architects, engineers and contractors.

Read the full article - please click here