Great video. One deal point missed. The deal offering allowed the GSA to occupy the property rent free through 2024 and only paying expenses while there. The historic preservation requirement the albatross of the site. And an awful commercial real estate market. The building is so obsolete that even the most practical user - a large government agency won’t occupy. My forecast is the GSA eventually reoccupies and sells off some excess land. The need for housing of all types far outweighs the historic preservation of the building. A bad outcome for taxpayers, Orange County and Laguna Niguel.
As an Architect who has worked on Historical buildings and someone who grew up in Orange County, I see no architectural value in this structure, look at the interiors which are horrific. It is a clumsy, inarticulate building and probably Periera's worst building. The fact that no one bid on this property should tell you something. Thank you for putting up the graphic on how many agencies would be involved, that would scare off any developer.
Also, having worked in the building several times as a government contractor, there is a lot of asbestos containing material (ACM) & lead paint throughout the entire building making a rehab astronomically expensive! The structure and the majority of the parking areas are in complete disrepair.
Nobody bid on the building for the simple reason that there was a provision in the bidding rules that prohibited the buyer from taking down the building.
38 here…. This is a part of my history, as I lived here from ages 8-12 and formed very key memories living in the area. Back living in LN after MANY years away. This was cool to see. Thanks! 😊
My family moved to Laguna Niguel in 1970 because my mom was supposed to work for Autonetics at the Z. . (A division of North American Aviation) She quit the company when they didn't move into the building. And went on to get her masters degree at cal state Fullerton. The neighborhood kids use to ride their dirt bikes, bicycles, skate boards in the building as it was empty for quite a while. In the last few years the government has let the huge parking area go into ruin. Giant potholes, weeds, and so on. I'd like to see someone repaint the thing, maybe graffiti it and turn it into something fun for kids. It looks like a prison.
Dirt bikes and skateboards inside the building? What a story! I asked some other folks who lived in the area at the time and they confirmed they were there 😂
I live right down the street too! For 30 years I never even knew the name! We called it the IRS building or pyramid building. I’m planning to teach my son to drive here too!
Laguna Niguel needs a place of activity and social epicenter. Anyone been to the carnival the city hosts on the Zig’s perimeter once in a while? It’s a lot of fun for families and kids. Something like that. A mix of Irvine Spectrum/ The Grove / Farmers Market and perhaps something educational or cultural like an auditorium for small plays or a community college.
Medical facilities are closing maybe take the smaller medical facilities and lace those inside . Such as the dental, one care offices etc. Even Cane, Del taco ect. Could fit in that place. The government sold the El Toro weapons station.
I do not miss living in laguna. Out of control prices, snobby people, and traffic traffic traffic. I found a hidden gem of a costal town where i could have the road and beach all to myself most days.
Great video! As one who literally grew up in this building while my father worked for the fed I first-hand felt the power, wonder, and gravitas of architecture and that is part of why I am an architect and structural engineer today. The building is an architectural wonder from the outside but not so much from the inside. I think there is a way to honor the past but build for the present and future! What will most likely happen is once it is purchased there will be some sort of health condition that necessitates the building preservation be heavily reevaluated. I would love to see the office tower preserved but the below and subterranean levels utilized as an architectural concept and actual underground areas as parking. I would like the rest of the 90 acre site terraced or staggered in heights with complementary programs connected with landscaped area and small parks, and outdoor shopping/dining, office, and business village.
Well done. Back in 2019' the GSA seismic analysis of the cost to repair the CHFB ranged from $526,140,000 to $916,518,000 ! That cost would be 'a bit more' at todays' prices. It was determined to be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NHPA). The GSA (March 10,2023) stated they intended to offer the CHFB property for sale with restrictions/conditions to insure long term preservation of the CHFB. The GSA also could propose a finding of "adverse effect" that would bring mitigation measures concerning the CHFB. So,could a state of the art new building present a glass facade that holds the vision of the Ziggurat design ?! Lets' all just think about that.
I lived in Aliso Viejo for a few years and always wondered what was inside the mysterious building with that enormous parking lot that was always 99% empty aside from a few cars. But one day, I had to take care of something related to taxes and had to go into the building. Empty, echoing hallways without a person in sight until I found the room with the person I was to meet. The whole experience felt very big brother and cold. But it was definitely an experience I’ve always remembered.
Thanks Anne! I put the Death Race footage in at about 1:06. That quick clip blew my mind. The 1995 movie Outbreak had the Zigg in the film for a quick moment as the CDC headquarters. If there were other films please let me know 😄
Restore this building for its original intent of microchip manufacturing! End the shortage of electronic components and create jobs here! My dad worked at the Autonetics (electronics) division of North American Aviation as part of his career, starting at NAA and ending as the company became Rockwell International. Rockwell bought NAA in 1967, initially making it North American Rockwell. The name changed some more, to Rockwell International. Boeing bought and absorbed Rockwell.
I live nearby and it is a cool looking, unique building. I feel like it should be mostly repurposed. The entire building does not need to be preserved. I would hate to work in that thing.
Love that idea. I've done some research into it but will need to do a much deeper dive to get to the bottom of what happened. Added to the future videos list, thanks for the suggestion!
@@anthozueck This building is truly magnificent but for 70 million with the work that needs to be done, it is not feasible for many investors, moreover how do you want to rent such a surface area, I think that
Too bad the California native 100 coastal live oaks that were idiotically planted in the parking lot will be chopped down rather than saved and replanted in our nearby parks. The only thing “historic” about it is the fact that it is historically ugly, but so will be the overdevelopment that will replace it.
I would like to know that too because I have spent many nights or days and they're searching through the archives of the senses and military records and stuff
