Big Box: Target steps it up a notch

Of all the architectural designs to see on this earth why do we bother here to check out Target? Maybe it's because this is what we see day in and out in most cities. In 21st Century America, there aren't many Eiffel Towers, Chicago Water Towers or evocative Flatiron commercial buildings to marvel over. We count our blessings when a big-box department store does incrementally better than usual.

Consider this "big box" retailer in Davis, California. Davis, population about 64,000, is a University of California town, where even having a Target was a huge political divide. Many true believers didn't want it. They believed Target was an corporate abomination that would shred their cohesive little downtown district. Eventually, when Target won a popular vote to open up shop in town, it went the extra mile to design something less offensive than standard suburban strip.

I may be a pushover, but I like the lone palm tree and red brick facade below. It says to me: California.


I like the tower here, too, and the glass-fronted entrance. It looks like walking into a multiplex movie theater. Not architectural genius here. But for department store shopping it's not bad. (Note the glass corporate logo in the tower).