The Griffith Observatory, the beloved Los Angeles landmark whose stately presence on Mount Hollywood has wowed stargazers and schoolchildren alike for decades, will reopen to the public Nov. 3 after more than four years with a collective cap over its lenses for a $93 million renovation. "Griffith Observatory's return to space is long overdue," Director Edwin Krupp exulted at a Tuesday morning news conference on the revamped institution's sprawling front lawn.
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said he was glad Griffith has regained its world-class status.
"I remember coming here many times as a boy and being awestruck," said Villaraigosa, who grew up in the city. "The observatory has been such an icon here in Los Angeles for more than 70 years."
The renovation project, the observatory's first face-lift since it debuted in 1935, more than doubles its size and beefs up its most popular features with state-of-the-art equipment and in many cases, a new paint job. More than 60 exhibits have been added.
Even Spock joined the cause. Also new is the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon Theater, named for the "Star Trek" legend who contributed $1 million to the project, and The Big Picture, a cosmic panorama displayed on 114 porcelain enamel plates. It blankets an entire wall, measuring 152 feet long and 20 feet high, and is billed as the largest astronomical image ever.
It's a real-data picture of about a million galaxies, many in the Virgo Cluster, yet it represents less than a thousandth of all space, or roughly the area of the night sky your index finger would cover if held about a foot away from your eyes.
The Griffith Observatory has long been one of Southern California's top attractions; it was averaging about 2 million visitors a year before it closed in January 2002 for the renovation.
Temporary procedural change
In anticipation of large throngs when it reopens next month, Villaraigosa and others announced a temporary timed-entry reservation and shuttle system. In the first few months after the reopening, no drive-up access to the observatory will be permitted. Eventually, Krupp said later, the observatory will return to normal drive-up access.
Smiles and congratulations were the order on a sun-splashed day that helped the observatory live up to its reputation of offering some of the best views in Los Angeles. The observatory sits on the south slope of Mount Hollywood at 1,134 feet elevation. From its terraces, the city's skyline loomed to the south. The Hollywood sign was visible to the northwest, as was the Capitol Records building to the west.
From the outside, little has changed at the observatory, save for new paint and a bit of polish for its signature copper dome. With its columns, rotundas and terraces intact, the observatory has retained its architectural feel, described as Art Deco with some Thirties Moderne and Greek influences.
New areas underground
Much of the expansion occurred below grade, under portions of the front lawn and west terrace.
The observatory will feature more restrooms, elevators, an even bigger lawn and, for the first time, on-site food service in the form of a cafe.
But much work remains to be done. Portions of the observatory were still off-limits Tuesday; the Planetarium Theater still has plastic covers over its seats and "wet paint" signs on the doors.
The effervescent Krupp joked that his emotions in the face of what he termed multiplying deadlines were simple: fear and panic.
"It's gonna go right up to the night before we reopen," he said.
Krupp disputed the notion that interest in astronomy and the planets has waned in recent years. Hubble Telescope images still are front-page news, he said. Then he motioned toward the revamped Zeiss Telescope in the observatory's east dome, through which more than 7 million people have gazed at the heavens over the years.
"More people have looked through that telescope than any telescope in the world," Krupp said.
And no, he said, they haven't forgotten Pluto, recently demoted from planet status. The observatory, which was aware of the former planet's possible demise, did not change any exhibits because of that move, Krupp said, adding, "We weren't about to let Pluto out of our view."
They also didn't let the James Dean bust out of sight. It's been moved to the front lawn, with a view to the Hollywood sign on nearby Mount Lee. Several scenes from the Dean movie "Rebel Without A Cause" were filmed at the observatory in 1955.
The place is a Hollywood haven. Arnold Schwarzenegger, now California's governor, materialized from the future and walked across the observatory's front lawn in "The Terminator" in 1984. It also was the setting for Lisa Simpson's all-important first kiss in an episode of "The Simpsons."
In real life, the observatory was where many GIs to proposed to their girlfriends in the years after World War II. It's still considered one of the most romantic spots in town.
Be it the stars above, the grand views or just a place to nuzzle at night, there is something special about the place. In part, Krupp said, it's about "location, location, location."
But it's also about inspiration, imagination and big ideas, even those that cost $93 million.
"It gives people a sense of being able to go out to the edge of the universe," he said, "and then return safely to Los Angeles."
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