downtown doings

555 6th avenue was awarded a citation by the american institute of architects last month, and i finally got a picture of it when i was downtown friday (after missing out on one of the mere 20 3g iphones at the at&t store on broadway). i like the panels on the exterior, which are supposed to change over time, but it is kind of strange that they have such a stark, wintry graphic on them during summertime.



this picture doesn't do the new bayfront hilton justice, but it's really not that bad compared to some of the architecture that's gone up recently (or the dreadful ballpark village marriott that's planned). i like the clean white lines and geometry of the building.

after my iphone letdown i came across delta nove playing behind the nbc building in their concerts on the square concert series. too bad not many other folks were there, they were actually pretty tight. it's a shame san diego still lacks a real civic gathering point downtown. there was plenty of foot traffic but everyone was racing to get lunch or hit the mall it seemed. the harborfront areas will be nice when they're completed, but that's mostly tourist foot traffic over that way.