Update: Gehry in Los Angeles and Toronto

Last month we reported on two Frank Gehry projects that are 2,500 miles apart but are similar in terms of scale, function, and the fact Gehry has lived in both cities. The first of two large developments – the Grand Avenue project in downtown LA for Related Companies – was approved unanimously by the Los Angeles County supervisors last week. The only approval left for the $750-million retail, hotel and residential complex across the street from Gehry's own Walt Disney Concert Hall is by the Grand Avenue Authority, which should just be a formality in the project's march toward realization.

The second project – Mirvish+Gehry Toronto – received a "definitely maybe" from the city council, which recommended a panel be formed to take a detailed look at the project that consists of three towers ranging from 82-86 stories tall (for reference, Gehry's tower at 8 Spruce Street in New York City is 76 stories). Even though the panel's members have not been announced yet, its report is to be presented in March.