Visitors peering from the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles / Walter Smith

1997

FRANK GEHRY

Architect

WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL

My experience designing and building the Walt Disney Concert Hall was a roller coaster. Construction came to an abrupt stop due to management issues that had nothing to do with the architecture and my work.

Years later, Eli Broad was called upon to fundraise and get the project going again. During that process, disagreements and misunderstandings once again emerged. But ultimately the building won and was built, something that Eli and I are very proud of.

Sketch of Disney Hall by architect Frank Gehry, 2009 / Image provided by Gehry Partners, LLP

My wife, Berta, suggested a dinner to celebrate Eli and his wife, Edye; Eli had done the yeoman’s work of finding the funding, both private and public, to get the building completed—no small feat. We hosted the dinner onstage at Disney Hall, and I gave a toast to Eli thanking him for all of his work. Despite our differences we had made something beautiful together. He thanked me back and gave me his highest compliment; he said that I had been right to push so hard. From that time forward we have been friends.

 

A Rose for Lilly fountain, designed by Frank Gehry in honor of Lillian Disney, in the Blue Ribbon Garden atop Disney Hall / Walter Smith