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Unrivalled, and never-before-experienced sights of our city will soon be available to everyone in Los Angeles! Thanks to a gorgeous new restaurant, “71Above,” opening tonight, diners will get to see the scintillating sights of the city below and to as far away as to the ocean, through windows installed by Giroux Glass. The shiny new “71Above” sits at the top of the U.S. Bank Tower, currently the tallest building in the Western United States, not to mention, in L.A. The iconic skyscraper has recently undergone a $50 million renovation, which includes a new observation deck and a glass slide, among other exciting features. The restaurant is the latest by renowned restaurateur, Emil Eyvazoff, and was designed by Tag Front architects.
The windows are special, and not just because of the view. Giroux Glass installed a total of 192 insulated glass units, or almost 3,000 square feet of glass, and 48 table-side vents, which can be opened by diners to bring in a rush of fresh air and the sounds of the city from far below. The windows also show off some pretty neat technology. Not only do they provide a complete, 360-degree panoramic clear view, they’re electrochromic. Made of SageGlass® they can be programmed to dynamically tint, to control sunlight and manage heat gain — but mostly to allow unobstructed glare-free views, without the use of shades, even when the strong SoCal sun hits each panel. And at that level, there isn’t much else to block the sun or the view! The restaurant staff can control the individual windows’ tint, in 3 zones per window panel, while reducing energy demand and the need for HVAC, by blocking up to 91% of the solar heat.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”392″ img_size=”350×500″ alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”393″ img_size=”350×500″ alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”394″ img_size=”350×500″ alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]The windows were installed last February by Union-certified Giroux Glass glaziers, led by Brad Leslie, Giroux Glass’ director of High-End Design. There could have been logistical challenges with the installation of the panels, considering the height of the building, its busy mid-downtown location, strong winter winds and the predicted “el nino” storms. SageGlass called upon the expertise of Giroux Glass, however, who routinely completes such projects. Brad Leslie says, “Who better to have chosen for the installation of such leading-edge technology? Our glaziers are proficient in all the latest innovations. This is what we do.”
Here are some of the before and after photos of the project. As much as I enjoyed checking out the progress of the project as it took place — I will even more eagerly look forward to sipping a cocktail while taking in what I can undeniably attest to being the single most jaw-dropping view of this city that I love. Who’s in?[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Before[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”395″ img_size=”450×350″ alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]After[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”396″ img_size=”450×350″ alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]Before[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”397″ img_size=”300×450″ alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”398″ img_size=”300×450″ alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”399″ img_size=”300×450″ alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]After[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”400″ img_size=”300×450″ alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”401″ img_size=”300×450″ alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”402″ img_size=”300×450″ alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”403″ img_size=”450×350″ alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”404″ img_size=”450×350″ alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]