architectural indigestion
There’s a building … in progress (for lack of a better term) on Van Ness, right before you get to Melrose. My friend and I have been watching its evolution and it’s nothing less than spectacular:
Yes, you’re right. That reads “ALEXANDER RULER OF THE WORLD” on the archway. As you can see, there’s alot of work going on, hence us being unable to get any closer. Note the olympic rings, greek letters, crosses, and symbols; inside is a massive gold chandelier.
There’s only one other Los Angeles house that rivals “ALEXANDER RULER OF THE WORLD” (you have to say it that way, really) in terms of sheer jaw-dropping awe, and that is “Youngwood Court” aka, “The House of 17 Davids” in Hancock Park. Here it is in all of its Roman splendor - doesn’t it just make you want to shout, “I, Claudius!”:
Now, The House of 17 Davids is stunning, especially at Christmastime when the faux-snow gets adorned with Santa and Mrs. Claus:
ALEXANDER RULER OF THE WORLD
vs
The House of 17 Davids:
Greco-Roman SMACKDOWN!
Tuesday night, 7pm. Promise to keep you posted with photo updates. Meanwhile, read the comments for more info on AROTW, or if you know of any, please tell!
I LOVE the House of 17 Davids!!
It is one of the 17 Wonders of LA County.
The truck parked in front of ALEXANDER RULER OF THE WORLD makes the building even more exciting.
at least they know who alexander the great is… didn’t realize la had a greek population… do you know if the black lava house is still around- it was near la brea around oakwood (maybe)… last time I looked, I couldn’t find it- I think it’s been torn down.. it was a windowless house made of black lava.. did not match the restof the neighborhood at all.
Update - Scott Michaels writes: “I pass this atrocity several times a day, either in my car or walking Dekker. I kept hoping and hoping this was being made up for a set of a show, but sadly no. A photographer I met yesterday says he spoke to him, and he’s really decorating it that way for real. He also told the photographer to wait… he’s not finished.”
I knew it! It will never be finished - like Xanadu!
PS. I think the lava house got torn down or seriously remodeled. It had no windows, right? And was owned by that woman - “the Lava Rock Lady.” Damn - the only thing i could find was this. The link they reference is dead, too bad! If you google “lava house los angeles,” you’ll see some other “lavatechture,” though.
yup the lava house is gone —
the “artsy” lady who owned it and roamed the city looking ala Edie Beale moved away or died. I forget.
That guy with the creepy houses is very scary…
The Lava Rock house was at the corner of Clinton & Detroit, just in from La Brea, and has been gone for a year or 2 now.
Lava Rock house we salute you.
All hail Alexander! Ruler of the World! And, apparently, little pink swirls. WEEEEE!
I live in Alexander Ruler of the World - can’t tell you all how great it is that now when I do my dishes half naked in my kitchen window, there’s a tour bus out front full of midwesterners snapping away.
It’s just fabulous.
Y’know, I was wondering about the people who lived there “before” it was, uh, conquered. I can’t imagine having my building turn into something like that! I especially like how he didn’t bother to paint the sides or the back, so you can still see the old, beige paint.
[...] And on the pedestal these words appear: `My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings: Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!‘ [...]