BOSTON'S MUSEUM OF SCIENCE RECENTLY SPENT $9 MILLION UPGRADING THE CHARLES HAYDEN PLANETARIUM BUT THE MOST EXPENSIVE PIECE OF THAT RENOVATION IS NOT ONE OF THE EXHIBITS, IT'S THE $2 MILLION ZEISS STARMASTER PROJECTOR. THE PROJECTOR BRINGS THE UNIVERSE TO LIFE ON THE 57 FOOT ALUMINUM DOME USING LIGHTS AND FIBER OPTICS. TWO SONY HIGH-RESOLUTION DIGITAL PROJECTORS CONTRIBUTE TO THE RICHNESS OF THE DISPLAY. THE ZEISS STARMASTER IS ONE OF ONLY TWO IN THE UNITED STATES AND THE ONLY ONE ON THE EAST COAST. THE BOSTON GLOBE REPORTS THAT THE RESOLUTION IS SO GOOD THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE BINOCULARS. THE MUSEUM HAS CREATED A NEW HALF-HOUR SHOW, 'UNDISCOVERED WORLDS' THAT EXPLORES THE QUESTION OF WHETHER OR NOT OTHER PLANETS LIKE OURS EXIST. THIS HAS BEEN A HOT TOPIC IN THE NEWS LATELY. BY THE END OF 2010 SCIENTISTS KNEW OF OVER 500 OF THESE SO-CALLED 'EXOPLANETS' AND NASA'S RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT THAT ITS KELPER TELESCOPE HAD DISCOVERED 1,235 PLANET CANDIDATES MEANS THE NUMBER OF CONFIRMED EXOPLANETS COULD MORE THAN DOUBLE. THE SHOW HIGHLIGHTS THE CHALLENGES OF FINDING THESE NEW WORLDS AND SHOWCASES SOME OF THEM INCLUDING THE LAVA PLANET COROT 7B. THIS SPRING, THE MUSEUM WILL BE LAUNCHING 'NIGHT LIGHTS', AN EVENING ENTERTAINMENT SERIES THAT WILL FEATURE LIVE PERFORMANCES UNDER THE STAR-FILLED DOME AND THE NEXT GENERATION OF LASER SHOWS. A SCHEDULE OF EVENTS IS AVAILABLE AT mos.org/planetarium.

MUSEUM OF SCIENCE, BOSTON, PRESENTS ITS NEW PROJECTOR

BOSTON'S MUSEUM OF SCIENCE RECENTLY SPENT $9 MILLION UPGRADING THE CHARLES HAYDEN PLANETARIUM BUT THE MOST EXPENSIVE PIECE OF THAT RENOVATION IS NOT ONE OF THE EXHIBITS, IT'S THE $2 MILLION ZEISS STARMASTER PROJECTOR. THE PROJECTOR BRINGS THE UNIVERSE TO LIFE ON THE 57 FOOT ALUMINUM DOME USING LIGHTS AND FIBER OPTICS. TWO SONY HIGH-RESOLUTION DIGITAL PROJECTORS CONTRIBUTE TO THE RICHNESS OF THE DISPLAY. THE ZEISS STARMASTER IS ONE OF ONLY TWO IN THE UNITED STATES AND THE ONLY ONE ON THE EAST COAST. THE BOSTON GLOBE REPORTS THAT THE RESOLUTION IS SO GOOD THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE BINOCULARS. THE MUSEUM HAS CREATED A NEW HALF-HOUR SHOW, 'UNDISCOVERED WORLDS' THAT EXPLORES THE QUESTION OF WHETHER OR NOT OTHER PLANETS LIKE OURS EXIST. THIS HAS BEEN A HOT TOPIC IN THE NEWS LATELY. BY THE END OF 2010 SCIENTISTS KNEW OF OVER 500 OF THESE SO-CALLED 'EXOPLANETS' AND NASA'S RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT THAT ITS KELPER TELESCOPE HAD DISCOVERED 1,235 PLANET CANDIDATES MEANS THE NUMBER OF CONFIRMED EXOPLANETS COULD MORE THAN DOUBLE. THE SHOW HIGHLIGHTS THE CHALLENGES OF FINDING THESE NEW WORLDS AND SHOWCASES SOME OF THEM INCLUDING THE LAVA PLANET COROT 7B. THIS SPRING, THE MUSEUM WILL BE LAUNCHING 'NIGHT LIGHTS', AN EVENING ENTERTAINMENT SERIES THAT WILL FEATURE LIVE PERFORMANCES UNDER THE STAR-FILLED DOME AND THE NEXT GENERATION OF LASER SHOWS. A SCHEDULE OF EVENTS IS AVAILABLE AT mos.org/planetarium.

MUSEUM OF SCIENCE, BOSTON, PRESENTS ITS NEW PROJECTOR

A MILE LONG FLOATING WALKWAY ON LONDON'S RIVER THAMES IS BEING PLANNED IN THE HEART OF THE CAPITAL, ALLOWING VIEWS OF THE CITY'S HIDDEN ALLEYS, WHARVES AND LANDMARKS DATING BACK TO MEDIEVAL TIMES. THE PONTOON, KNOWN AS THE 'LONDON RIVER PARK', WILL CONNECT BLACKFRIARS BRIDGE, ON THE WESTERN EDGE OF THE ANCIENT CITY, AND THE TOWER OF LONDON. SUSPENDED A FEW FEET ABOVE THE WATER ON THE NORTH BANK, THE WALK WILL BE INTERSPERSED WITH FIVE GLASS-ENCASED PAVILIONS HOUSING A MUSEUM, A CINEMA, A CONCERT HALL AND AN ECO-PARK AMONGST OTHER ATTRACTIONS. SWIMMING POOLS ARE CENTRAL TO DRAWINGS OF ONE FUTURISTIC-LOOKING ENCLOSURE. THE 'PROMENADE', TO BE BUILT IN TIME FOR THE OLYMPIC GAMES AND THE QUEEN'S DIAMOND JUBILEE IN 2012, IF FUNDING IS FOUND, WON THE MAYOR OF LONDON'S AWARD FOR PLANNING EXCELLENCE LAST WEEK. THE MAYOR WHO HAS CHAMPIONED THE REJUVENATION OF THE RIVER AS A TRANSPORT ARTERY AND TOURIST ATTRACTION SAID IT WILL ALLOW THE PUBLIC TO 'WANDER THROUGH THE MEANDERING BACKSTREETS OF THE ANCIENT CITY.' A SPOKESPERSON FOR ARCHITECTS GENSLER, WHO DREW UP THE PLANS, SAID THE SCHEME WAS STILL AT A CONCEPTUAL STAGE BUT THAT TALKS ARE TAKING PLACE WITH A NUMBER OF INVESTORS TO FUND THE $40 MILLION PROJECT. THE ELEGANT STRUCTURE ALLOWS VISITORS TO HOP ON AND OFF THE WALKWAY VIA GANGWAYS ALLOWING THEM TO EXPLORE LANDMARKS, ALLEYS AND DISUSED WHARVES CLOSE TO THE SHORE. MANY OF THE CRAMPED COBBLED STREETS, WITH NAMES LIKE 'STEW LANE' AND 'BROKEN WHARF' HAVE BECOME DIFFICULT TO ACCESS AS THE CITY GREW EXPONENTIALLY OVER THE CENTURIES AND ARE WAY OFF THE USUAL TOURIST ROUTES. THE PONTOON RUNS PAST PROTECTED ANCIENT SITES LIKE QUEENHITHE DOCK, ONE OF THE EARLIEST OF LONDON'S HARBORS THAT DATES BACK TO SAXON AND POSSIBLY ROMAN TIMES. THE WALK WILL ALSO GIVE UNIQUE VANTAGES OF OLD BILLINGSGATE FISH MARKET, THE CENTER OF THE CITY'S FISH TRADE IN THE 16th AND 17th CENTURIES, AND CUSTOM HOUSE, A SITE FIRST USED BY LONDON'S CUSTOMS SERVICE IN 1275. AN ADVANTAGE OF THE DESIGN IS THAT IT CAN BE MOVED AND REASSEMBLED IN ANOTHER PART OF THE CITY AND THE 'PODS' GIVEN NEW THEMES TO SUIT DIFFERENT OCCASIONS.

FLOATING WALKWAY PLANNED FOR LONDON

A MILE LONG FLOATING WALKWAY ON LONDON'S RIVER THAMES IS BEING PLANNED IN THE HEART OF THE CAPITAL, ALLOWING VIEWS OF THE CITY'S HIDDEN ALLEYS, WHARVES AND LANDMARKS DATING BACK TO MEDIEVAL TIMES. THE PONTOON, KNOWN AS THE 'LONDON RIVER PARK', WILL CONNECT BLACKFRIARS BRIDGE, ON THE WESTERN EDGE OF THE ANCIENT CITY, AND THE TOWER OF LONDON. SUSPENDED A FEW FEET ABOVE THE WATER ON THE NORTH BANK, THE WALK WILL BE INTERSPERSED WITH FIVE GLASS-ENCASED PAVILIONS HOUSING A MUSEUM, A CINEMA, A CONCERT HALL AND AN ECO-PARK AMONGST OTHER ATTRACTIONS. SWIMMING POOLS ARE CENTRAL TO DRAWINGS OF ONE FUTURISTIC-LOOKING ENCLOSURE. THE 'PROMENADE', TO BE BUILT IN TIME FOR THE OLYMPIC GAMES AND THE QUEEN'S DIAMOND JUBILEE IN 2012, IF FUNDING IS FOUND, WON THE MAYOR OF LONDON'S AWARD FOR PLANNING EXCELLENCE LAST WEEK. THE MAYOR WHO HAS CHAMPIONED THE REJUVENATION OF THE RIVER AS A TRANSPORT ARTERY AND TOURIST ATTRACTION SAID IT WILL ALLOW THE PUBLIC TO 'WANDER THROUGH THE MEANDERING BACKSTREETS OF THE ANCIENT CITY.' A SPOKESPERSON FOR ARCHITECTS GENSLER, WHO DREW UP THE PLANS, SAID THE SCHEME WAS STILL AT A CONCEPTUAL STAGE BUT THAT TALKS ARE TAKING PLACE WITH A NUMBER OF INVESTORS TO FUND THE $40 MILLION PROJECT. THE ELEGANT STRUCTURE ALLOWS VISITORS TO HOP ON AND OFF THE WALKWAY VIA GANGWAYS ALLOWING THEM TO EXPLORE LANDMARKS, ALLEYS AND DISUSED WHARVES CLOSE TO THE SHORE. MANY OF THE CRAMPED COBBLED STREETS, WITH NAMES LIKE 'STEW LANE' AND 'BROKEN WHARF' HAVE BECOME DIFFICULT TO ACCESS AS THE CITY GREW EXPONENTIALLY OVER THE CENTURIES AND ARE WAY OFF THE USUAL TOURIST ROUTES. THE PONTOON RUNS PAST PROTECTED ANCIENT SITES LIKE QUEENHITHE DOCK, ONE OF THE EARLIEST OF LONDON'S HARBORS THAT DATES BACK TO SAXON AND POSSIBLY ROMAN TIMES. THE WALK WILL ALSO GIVE UNIQUE VANTAGES OF OLD BILLINGSGATE FISH MARKET, THE CENTER OF THE CITY'S FISH TRADE IN THE 16th AND 17th CENTURIES, AND CUSTOM HOUSE, A SITE FIRST USED BY LONDON'S CUSTOMS SERVICE IN 1275. AN ADVANTAGE OF THE DESIGN IS THAT IT CAN BE MOVED AND REASSEMBLED IN ANOTHER PART OF THE CITY AND THE 'PODS' GIVEN NEW THEMES TO SUIT DIFFERENT OCCASIONS.

FLOATING WALKWAY PLANNED FOR LONDON

THE HIGHEST RESTAURANT IN THE WORLD OPENED ITS DOORS IN DUBAI 23.JANUARY, PROMISING 'THE WORLD'S BEST DINING OUT EXPERIENCE'. OCCUPYING THE 122rd FLOOR OF DUBAI'S ENORMOUS BURJI KHALIFA TOWER, AT.MOSPHERE IS THE LATEST RECORD-BREAKER FROM THE EMIRATE, WHICH DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE LOST ANY OF ITS CONFIDENCE FOLLOWING LAST YEAR'S ECONOMIC DOWN-TURN. GUESTS CAN DINE ON FRESH PRODUCE, WHILE ADMIRING A VIEW MORE AKIN TO THAT FROM AN AIRPLANE WINDOW THAN A GOURMET RESTAURANT, SOME 442 METERS FROM THE GROUND FLOOR LOBBY. AT THE TOP OF A 57-SECOND ELEVATOR RIDE, THE STUNNING NEW RESTAURANT IS DIVIDED INTO TWO UNIQUE LEVELS, A TOP-NOTCH GRILL WHICH OFFERS GRILLED, BROILED OR BAKED OPTIONS, AND THE AT.MOSPHERE LOUNGE WHICH 'SERVES AS AN IDEAL STOPOVER FOR A LIGHT LUNCH OR EVEN AN AFTERNOON TEA.' HOUSE SPECIALITIES RECOMMENDED BY AT.MOSPHERE'S EXECUTIVE CHEF DWAYN CHEER INCLUDE FOIE GRAS AND BEEF TARTARE, BUT DON'T THINK THAT'S ALL YOU'LL BE HAVING. THERE'S REPORTEDLY A MINIMUM SPEND OF €90 PER PERSON IN THE RESTAURANT AND €40 IN THE LOUNGE AREA. DUBAI OPENED THE BURJ KHALIFA, THE WORLD'S TALLEST BUILDING, EARLY LAST YEAR, ONLY TO CLOSE IT AGAIN AFTER A MONTH BECAUSE OF A PROBLEM WITH THE ELEVATORS. WHEN IT REOPENED IN APRIL, BUZZ AMONG THE INITIAL GUESTS WAS SPLIT BETWEEN THE VIEWS FROM THE 124th FLOOR OBSERVATION AND THE PROSPECT OF A NIGHT IN THE WORLD'S FIRST ARMANI HOTEL, WHICH OPENED ITS DOORS WITH MUCH FANFARE 27.APRIL.2010. WITH THE NEW RESTAURANT, DUBAI HOPES TO PROVE THAT DESPITE ITS RECENT FINANCIAL TROUBLES, IT STILL CAN OFFER UNPARALLELED LUXURY TO THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD IT.

WORLD'S HIGHEST RESTAURANT OPENS

THE HIGHEST RESTAURANT IN THE WORLD OPENED ITS DOORS IN DUBAI 23.JANUARY, PROMISING 'THE WORLD'S BEST DINING OUT EXPERIENCE'. OCCUPYING THE 122rd FLOOR OF DUBAI'S ENORMOUS BURJI KHALIFA TOWER, AT.MOSPHERE IS THE LATEST RECORD-BREAKER FROM THE EMIRATE, WHICH DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE LOST ANY OF ITS CONFIDENCE FOLLOWING LAST YEAR'S ECONOMIC DOWN-TURN. GUESTS CAN DINE ON FRESH PRODUCE, WHILE ADMIRING A VIEW MORE AKIN TO THAT FROM AN AIRPLANE WINDOW THAN A GOURMET RESTAURANT, SOME 442 METERS FROM THE GROUND FLOOR LOBBY. AT THE TOP OF A 57-SECOND ELEVATOR RIDE, THE STUNNING NEW RESTAURANT IS DIVIDED INTO TWO UNIQUE LEVELS, A TOP-NOTCH GRILL WHICH OFFERS GRILLED, BROILED OR BAKED OPTIONS, AND THE AT.MOSPHERE LOUNGE WHICH 'SERVES AS AN IDEAL STOPOVER FOR A LIGHT LUNCH OR EVEN AN AFTERNOON TEA.' HOUSE SPECIALITIES RECOMMENDED BY AT.MOSPHERE'S EXECUTIVE CHEF DWAYN CHEER INCLUDE FOIE GRAS AND BEEF TARTARE, BUT DON'T THINK THAT'S ALL YOU'LL BE HAVING. THERE'S REPORTEDLY A MINIMUM SPEND OF €90 PER PERSON IN THE RESTAURANT AND €40 IN THE LOUNGE AREA. DUBAI OPENED THE BURJ KHALIFA, THE WORLD'S TALLEST BUILDING, EARLY LAST YEAR, ONLY TO CLOSE IT AGAIN AFTER A MONTH BECAUSE OF A PROBLEM WITH THE ELEVATORS. WHEN IT REOPENED IN APRIL, BUZZ AMONG THE INITIAL GUESTS WAS SPLIT BETWEEN THE VIEWS FROM THE 124th FLOOR OBSERVATION AND THE PROSPECT OF A NIGHT IN THE WORLD'S FIRST ARMANI HOTEL, WHICH OPENED ITS DOORS WITH MUCH FANFARE 27.APRIL.2010. WITH THE NEW RESTAURANT, DUBAI HOPES TO PROVE THAT DESPITE ITS RECENT FINANCIAL TROUBLES, IT STILL CAN OFFER UNPARALLELED LUXURY TO THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD IT.

WORLD'S HIGHEST RESTAURANT OPENS

THE JOHN HANCOCK TOWER IN BOSTON BY I.M. PEI & PARTNERS, HAS BEEN SELECTED TO RECEIVE THE 2010 AIA 25 YEAR AWARD. THE JOHN HANCOCK TOWER HAS DEMONSTRATED EXCELLENCE IN FUNCTION, IN THE DISTINGUISHED EXECUTION OF ITS ORIGINAL PROGRAM, AND IN THE CREATIVE ASPECTS OF ITS STATEMENT BY TODAY'S STANDARDS. THE 2010 25 YEAR AWARD WILL BE PRESENTED AT THE AIA NATIONAL CONVENTION IN NEW ORLEANS. 35 YEARS AFTER ITS DEDICATION, THE LEAN, RHOMBOID REFLECTIVE GLASS TOWER DESIGNED BY HENRY COBB, FAIA, CONTINUES TO DRAMATIZE THIS CLASSIC ARCHITECTURAL QUESTION OF AESTHETIC BALANCE. BUILT ON A SMALL SITE ADJACENT TO SOME OF BOSTON'S GREATEST ARCHITECTURAL ASSETS, THE TOWER HAD TO BE MASSIVE ENOUGH TO ACCOMMODATE THE OWNER'S REQUIREMENTS, YET ABSOLUTELY MINDFUL OF ITS DELICATE AND HISTORIC SURROUNDINGS. LOCATED IN BOSTON'S HISTORIC COPLEY SQUARE, THE HANCOCK TOWER CONTINUES TO SERVE AS AN OFFICE BUILDING. THE 60 STORY, 790 FOOT REFLECTIVE GLASS TOWER REMAINS THE TALLEST BUILDING IN NEW ENGLAND. BOSTON GLOBE ARCHITECTURE CRITIC ROBERT CAMBELL, FAIA, SAID THE TOWER IS 'ONE OF THE GREATEST OFFICE TOWERS OF THE SECOND HALF OF THE 20th CENTURY.'

JOHN HANCOCK TOWER TO RECEIVE AIA 25 YEAR AWARD

THE JOHN HANCOCK TOWER IN BOSTON BY I.M. PEI & PARTNERS, HAS BEEN SELECTED TO RECEIVE THE 2010 AIA 25 YEAR AWARD. THE JOHN HANCOCK TOWER HAS DEMONSTRATED EXCELLENCE IN FUNCTION, IN THE DISTINGUISHED EXECUTION OF ITS ORIGINAL PROGRAM, AND IN THE CREATIVE ASPECTS OF ITS STATEMENT BY TODAY'S STANDARDS. THE 2010 25 YEAR AWARD WILL BE PRESENTED AT THE AIA NATIONAL CONVENTION IN NEW ORLEANS. 35 YEARS AFTER ITS DEDICATION, THE LEAN, RHOMBOID REFLECTIVE GLASS TOWER DESIGNED BY HENRY COBB, FAIA, CONTINUES TO DRAMATIZE THIS CLASSIC ARCHITECTURAL QUESTION OF AESTHETIC BALANCE. BUILT ON A SMALL SITE ADJACENT TO SOME OF BOSTON'S GREATEST ARCHITECTURAL ASSETS, THE TOWER HAD TO BE MASSIVE ENOUGH TO ACCOMMODATE THE OWNER'S REQUIREMENTS, YET ABSOLUTELY MINDFUL OF ITS DELICATE AND HISTORIC SURROUNDINGS. LOCATED IN BOSTON'S HISTORIC COPLEY SQUARE, THE HANCOCK TOWER CONTINUES TO SERVE AS AN OFFICE BUILDING. THE 60 STORY, 790 FOOT REFLECTIVE GLASS TOWER REMAINS THE TALLEST BUILDING IN NEW ENGLAND. BOSTON GLOBE ARCHITECTURE CRITIC ROBERT CAMBELL, FAIA, SAID THE TOWER IS 'ONE OF THE GREATEST OFFICE TOWERS OF THE SECOND HALF OF THE 20th CENTURY.'

JOHN HANCOCK TOWER TO RECEIVE AIA 25 YEAR AWARD

A GIANT BLUE ROOSTER AND A BOY ON A ROCKING HORSE WILL STAND ALONGSIDE A STATUE OF MILITARY HERO ADM HORATIA NELSON IN LONDON'S TRAFALGAR SQUARE. OFFICIALS ON FRIDAY ANNOUNCED THE NEXT TWO ARTWORKS TO FILL THE SQUARE'S EMPTY 'FOURTH PLINTH', ONE OF THE CITY'S MAJOR SHOWCASES FOR PUBLIC ART. NEXT YEAR THE PLATFORM WILL HOLD A BRONZE SCULPTURE OF A BOY ASTRIDE A ROCKING HORSE BY MICHAEL ELMGREEN AND INGAR DRAGSET. THE PIECE IS INTENDED AS A THOUGHTFUL RIPOSTE TO THE SQUARE'S MILITARY MONUMENTS. IT WILL BE FOLLOWED IN 2013 BY GERMAN ARTIST KATHERINE FRITSCH'S ULTRAMARINE COCKEREL, DESIGNED TO SYMBOLIZE 'REGENERATION, AWAKENING AND STRENGTH'. MAYOR BORIS JOHNSON SAID THE 'WITTY AND ENIGMATIC CREATIONS UNDERLINE LONDON'S POSITION AS ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING CITIES FOR ART AND ARE SURE TO KEEP PEOPLE TALKING.'ONE OF LONDON'S MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS, THE SQUARE WAS NAMED AFTER NELSON'S 1805 VICTORY OVER THE FRENCH AND SPANISH FLEETS. A STATUE OF THE ONE-ARMED ADMIRAL STANDS ATOP NELSON'S COLUMN AT THE CENTER OF THE PLAZA, AND STATUES OF OTHER 19th CENTURY MILITARY LEADERS ARE NEARBY. THE FOURTH PLINTH WAS ERECTED IN 1841 FOR AN EQUESTRIAN STATUE THAT WAS NEVER COMPLETED. SINCE 1999 IT HAS BEEN OCCUPIED BY ARTWORKS ERECTED FOR ABOUT 18 MONTHS AT A TIME. THE CURRENT OCCUPANT IS YINKA SHONIBARE'S 'NELSON'S SHIP IN A BOTTLE', A REPLICA OF THE NAVAL HERO'S HMS VICTORY WITH MULTI-COLOURED SAILS OF AFRICAN CLOTH.

NEW ARTWORKS FOR 'FOURTH PLINTH' UNVEILED

A GIANT BLUE ROOSTER AND A BOY ON A ROCKING HORSE WILL STAND ALONGSIDE A STATUE OF MILITARY HERO ADM HORATIA NELSON IN LONDON'S TRAFALGAR SQUARE. OFFICIALS ON FRIDAY ANNOUNCED THE NEXT TWO ARTWORKS TO FILL THE SQUARE'S EMPTY 'FOURTH PLINTH', ONE OF THE CITY'S MAJOR SHOWCASES FOR PUBLIC ART. NEXT YEAR THE PLATFORM WILL HOLD A BRONZE SCULPTURE OF A BOY ASTRIDE A ROCKING HORSE BY MICHAEL ELMGREEN AND INGAR DRAGSET. THE PIECE IS INTENDED AS A THOUGHTFUL RIPOSTE TO THE SQUARE'S MILITARY MONUMENTS. IT WILL BE FOLLOWED IN 2013 BY GERMAN ARTIST KATHERINE FRITSCH'S ULTRAMARINE COCKEREL, DESIGNED TO SYMBOLIZE 'REGENERATION, AWAKENING AND STRENGTH'. MAYOR BORIS JOHNSON SAID THE 'WITTY AND ENIGMATIC CREATIONS UNDERLINE LONDON'S POSITION AS ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING CITIES FOR ART AND ARE SURE TO KEEP PEOPLE TALKING.'ONE OF LONDON'S MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS, THE SQUARE WAS NAMED AFTER NELSON'S 1805 VICTORY OVER THE FRENCH AND SPANISH FLEETS. A STATUE OF THE ONE-ARMED ADMIRAL STANDS ATOP NELSON'S COLUMN AT THE CENTER OF THE PLAZA, AND STATUES OF OTHER 19th CENTURY MILITARY LEADERS ARE NEARBY. THE FOURTH PLINTH WAS ERECTED IN 1841 FOR AN EQUESTRIAN STATUE THAT WAS NEVER COMPLETED. SINCE 1999 IT HAS BEEN OCCUPIED BY ARTWORKS ERECTED FOR ABOUT 18 MONTHS AT A TIME. THE CURRENT OCCUPANT IS YINKA SHONIBARE'S 'NELSON'S SHIP IN A BOTTLE', A REPLICA OF THE NAVAL HERO'S HMS VICTORY WITH MULTI-COLOURED SAILS OF AFRICAN CLOTH.

NEW ARTWORKS FOR 'FOURTH PLINTH' UNVEILED

ONE OF SAN FRANCISCO'S MOST BELOVED LANDMARKS REOPENED TO THE PUBLIC FRIDAY AFTER A SEVEN YEAR, $21 MILLION RENOVATION. THE EXTENSIVE OVERHAUL OF THE PALACE OF FINE ARTS INCLUDED SEISMIC UPGRADES, THE ADDITION OF NEW ENTRANCES AND PATHWAYS, AND THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ROTUNDA FLOOR AND THE ROOF OF ITS DOME. THE 95 YEAR OLD SITE IS THE ONLY ORIGINAL STRUCTURE LEFT FROM THE 1915 PANAMA PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL EXPOSITION. WITH ITS 30 CORINTHIAN COLUMNS FRAMING THE PALACE WALKWAY AND 1,100 FOOT WIDE ROTUNDA, IT WAS DESIGNED TO RESEMBLE A ROMAN RUIN REFLECTED IN A LAKE. FOR ITS REOPENING, CITY LEADERS AND RESIDENTS PRAISED THE PALACE WHILE PASSERBY PUSHED STROLLERS OR WALKED DOGS ALONG THE PATHS SURROUNDING THE NEWLY RESTORED LAGOON, STOPPING TO ADMIRE ITS FAMOUS WHITE SWANS. THE PROJECT WAS A PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN SAN FRANCISCO AND THE NONPROFIT MAYBECK FOUNDATION, NAMED AFTER THE PALACE'S ARCHITECT, BERNARD MAYBECK. IT WAS FUNDED BY A COMBINATION OF CITY AND STATE FUNDS AND CONTRIBUTIONS FROM OVER 1,200 DONORS. IT WAS REBUILT IN THE 1930s AND AGAIN IN THE 1960s BEFORE THE LATEST RENOVATIONS BEGAN IN 2003. A WEBSITE CREATED BY THE MAYBECK FOUNDATION, LoveThePalace.org, INCLUDES A 'MEMORY BOOK' WHERE SAN FRANCISCANS CAN SHARE THEIR PERSONAL CONNECTIONS TO THE SITE. IN AN ENTRY BY LT GOV GAVIN NEWSOM, THE CITY'S FORMER MAYOR RECALLED FISHING IN THE LAGOON, AND OCCASIONALLY JUMPING IN, AS A YOUNG BOY. 'NOW, I SEE THE PALACE AS PART OF SAN FRANCISCO'S SOUL, A BEAUTIFUL LINK TO OUR PAST AND A GATEWAY TO THE FUTURE', HE WROTE.

SAN FRANCISCO'S PALACE OF FINE ARTS REOPENS AFTER SEVEN YEAR RENOVATION

ONE OF SAN FRANCISCO'S MOST BELOVED LANDMARKS REOPENED TO THE PUBLIC FRIDAY AFTER A SEVEN YEAR, $21 MILLION RENOVATION. THE EXTENSIVE OVERHAUL OF THE PALACE OF FINE ARTS INCLUDED SEISMIC UPGRADES, THE ADDITION OF NEW ENTRANCES AND PATHWAYS, AND THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ROTUNDA FLOOR AND THE ROOF OF ITS DOME. THE 95 YEAR OLD SITE IS THE ONLY ORIGINAL STRUCTURE LEFT FROM THE 1915 PANAMA PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL EXPOSITION. WITH ITS 30 CORINTHIAN COLUMNS FRAMING THE PALACE WALKWAY AND 1,100 FOOT WIDE ROTUNDA, IT WAS DESIGNED TO RESEMBLE A ROMAN RUIN REFLECTED IN A LAKE. FOR ITS REOPENING, CITY LEADERS AND RESIDENTS PRAISED THE PALACE WHILE PASSERBY PUSHED STROLLERS OR WALKED DOGS ALONG THE PATHS SURROUNDING THE NEWLY RESTORED LAGOON, STOPPING TO ADMIRE ITS FAMOUS WHITE SWANS. THE PROJECT WAS A PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN SAN FRANCISCO AND THE NONPROFIT MAYBECK FOUNDATION, NAMED AFTER THE PALACE'S ARCHITECT, BERNARD MAYBECK. IT WAS FUNDED BY A COMBINATION OF CITY AND STATE FUNDS AND CONTRIBUTIONS FROM OVER 1,200 DONORS. IT WAS REBUILT IN THE 1930s AND AGAIN IN THE 1960s BEFORE THE LATEST RENOVATIONS BEGAN IN 2003. A WEBSITE CREATED BY THE MAYBECK FOUNDATION, LoveThePalace.org, INCLUDES A 'MEMORY BOOK' WHERE SAN FRANCISCANS CAN SHARE THEIR PERSONAL CONNECTIONS TO THE SITE. IN AN ENTRY BY LT GOV GAVIN NEWSOM, THE CITY'S FORMER MAYOR RECALLED FISHING IN THE LAGOON, AND OCCASIONALLY JUMPING IN, AS A YOUNG BOY. 'NOW, I SEE THE PALACE AS PART OF SAN FRANCISCO'S SOUL, A BEAUTIFUL LINK TO OUR PAST AND A GATEWAY TO THE FUTURE', HE WROTE.

SAN FRANCISCO'S PALACE OF FINE ARTS REOPENS AFTER SEVEN YEAR RENOVATION

AN ASTONISHING MID 19th CENTURY DESIGN FOR WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE WORLD'S FIRST SKYSCRAPER IS FOR AUCTION AT BONHAMS GENTLEMAN'S LIBRARY SALE IN LONDON ON 19.JANUARY. AFTER THE GREAT EXHIBITION OF 1851, IT WAS DECIDED TO MOVE THE CRYSTAL PALACE FROM HYDE PARK AND PROPOSALS WERE INVITED TO REDESIGN THE BUILDING. BY FAR THE MOST IMAGINATIVE IDEA CAME FROM THE ARCHITECT CHARLES BURTON WHO PROPOSED STACKING THE IRON FRAME UPWARDS TO FIFTY STORIES. THIS MADE BURTON THE FIRST MAN EVER TO SUGGEST BUILDING A SKYSCRAPER. HIS DRAWING OF THE PROPOSED 1,000ft HIGH METAL AND GLASS BUILDING IS SET IN THE CONTEXT OF OTHER FAMOUS LARGE MAN-MADE STRUCTURES, SUCH AS ST PAUL'S CATHEDRAL, THE BASILICA OF ST PETER'S IN ROME AND THE PYRAMIDS, TO SHOW HOW TALL IT WOULD HAVE BEEN. IT IS ESTIMATED TO SELL FOR BETWEEN £800-1,000. IN THE EVENT, OF COURSE, THE CRYSTAL PALACE WAS MOVED, IN AN ENLARGED FORM, TO AN AREA OF SYDENHAM IN SOUTH LONDON TO WHICH IT SUBSEQUENTLY GAVE ITS NAME. IT WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE IN 1936. BONHAMS 19th CENTURY PICTURE SPECIALIST, SAM TRAVERS, SAYS: 'THE FIRST SKYSCRAPER WENT UP IN AMERICA IN THE 1880s THOUGH THERE IS SOME DEBATE ABOUT WHICH BUILDING CAN CLAIM THE ACCOLADE. IT'S FASCINATING TO THINK THAT 30 YEARS EARLIER IN LONDON BURTON HAD QUIETLY COME UP WITH THE SAME IDEA.' THE GENTLEMAN'S LIBRARY SALE IS NOW IN ITS 11th YEAR. IT FEATURES ALL KINDS OF OBJECTS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN FOUND IN A VICTORIAN OR EDWARDIAN GENTLEMAN'S LIBRARY FROM FOSSILS TO CIGARETTE BOXES, LEATHER ARMCHAIRS TO GLOBES, CHESS SETS TO FAMILY PORTRAITS.

BONHAMS TO SELL 19th CENTURY SKYSCRAPER DESIGN

AN ASTONISHING MID 19th CENTURY DESIGN FOR WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE WORLD'S FIRST SKYSCRAPER IS FOR AUCTION AT BONHAMS GENTLEMAN'S LIBRARY SALE IN LONDON ON 19.JANUARY. AFTER THE GREAT EXHIBITION OF 1851, IT WAS DECIDED TO MOVE THE CRYSTAL PALACE FROM HYDE PARK AND PROPOSALS WERE INVITED TO REDESIGN THE BUILDING. BY FAR THE MOST IMAGINATIVE IDEA CAME FROM THE ARCHITECT CHARLES BURTON WHO PROPOSED STACKING THE IRON FRAME UPWARDS TO FIFTY STORIES. THIS MADE BURTON THE FIRST MAN EVER TO SUGGEST BUILDING A SKYSCRAPER. HIS DRAWING OF THE PROPOSED 1,000ft HIGH METAL AND GLASS BUILDING IS SET IN THE CONTEXT OF OTHER FAMOUS LARGE MAN-MADE STRUCTURES, SUCH AS ST PAUL'S CATHEDRAL, THE BASILICA OF ST PETER'S IN ROME AND THE PYRAMIDS, TO SHOW HOW TALL IT WOULD HAVE BEEN. IT IS ESTIMATED TO SELL FOR BETWEEN £800-1,000. IN THE EVENT, OF COURSE, THE CRYSTAL PALACE WAS MOVED, IN AN ENLARGED FORM, TO AN AREA OF SYDENHAM IN SOUTH LONDON TO WHICH IT SUBSEQUENTLY GAVE ITS NAME. IT WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE IN 1936. BONHAMS 19th CENTURY PICTURE SPECIALIST, SAM TRAVERS, SAYS: 'THE FIRST SKYSCRAPER WENT UP IN AMERICA IN THE 1880s THOUGH THERE IS SOME DEBATE ABOUT WHICH BUILDING CAN CLAIM THE ACCOLADE. IT'S FASCINATING TO THINK THAT 30 YEARS EARLIER IN LONDON BURTON HAD QUIETLY COME UP WITH THE SAME IDEA.' THE GENTLEMAN'S LIBRARY SALE IS NOW IN ITS 11th YEAR. IT FEATURES ALL KINDS OF OBJECTS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN FOUND IN A VICTORIAN OR EDWARDIAN GENTLEMAN'S LIBRARY FROM FOSSILS TO CIGARETTE BOXES, LEATHER ARMCHAIRS TO GLOBES, CHESS SETS TO FAMILY PORTRAITS.

BONHAMS TO SELL 19th CENTURY SKYSCRAPER DESIGN

ADMINISTRATORS OF FRANCE'S VERSAILLES PALACE SAID FRIDAY THAT THEY HAVE AGREED TO LEASE AN ADJACENT BUILDING KING LOUIS XIV's 17th CENTURY CHATEAU FOR USE AS A HOTEL. THE HOTEL DU GRAND CONTROLE, WHICH WAS HOME FOR FINANCIAL ADVISERS TO FRENCH KINGS FOR DECADES, WILL BE GETTING A $7.3 MILLION YEAR LONG FACE-LIFT BY BELGIAN COMPANY IVY INTERNATIONAL AS PART OF A DEAL CONCLUDED IN RECENT WEEKS. THE 23 ROOM HOTEL, WITH VIEWS OF THE PALACE'S ORANGERIE GARDEN, WILL OPEN IN LATE 2011. THE BUILDING PREVIOUSLY BELONGED TO THE DEFENSE MINISTRY, WHICH USED IT AS AN OFFICER'S MESS HALL, AND IT LATER FELL INTO DISREPAIR. VERSAILLES MANGERS ARE GRANTING A 30 YEAR OPERATING LEASE TO IVY. THE DEFICIT-PLAGUED FRENCH GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN LOOKING FOR WAYS TO MAKE MONEY OUT OF STATE-OWNED BUILDINGS. VERSAILLES OFFICIALS SAID THE PALACE ITSELF DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH AVAILABLE CASH TO PAY TO REFURBISH THE OUTBUILDING ITSELF. 'WE PICKED AN OUTSIDE, PRIVATE PARTNER THAT IS DOING IT FOR US', SAID MIKAEL HAUTCHAMP, AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE PALACE THAT GETS THOUSANDS OF VISITORS TO ITS LUSH GARDENS AND ORNATE ROOMS EACH DAY. 'THIS DEAL IS SAVING A BUILDING.' IN OCTOBER, A REPORT COMMISSIONED BY PRESIDENT SARKOZY RECOMMENDED MONEY-RAISING IDEAS INCLUDING OPENING LUXURY HOTELS IN ROYAL CHATEAUX ON THE STATE'S VAST REAL ESTATE PORTFOLIO, MUCH OF IT UNUSED. AND IN JUNE, THE GOVERNMENT STARTED A BIG SALE OF 1,700 STATE PROPERTIES TO SHED DILAPIDATED, EXPENSIVE TO MAINTAIN BUILDINGS. THE HOTEL DU GRANDE CONTROLE, WHICH WAS BUILT IN THE 1680s, ISN'T ON THE ACTUAL GROUNDS OF THE PALACE, A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE CONSIDERED ONE OF THE GREATEST ACHIEVEMENTS OF 17th CENTURY FRENCH ART. IT'S AS CLOSE TO ANY HOTEL PATRON CAN GET TO STAYING IN THE PALACE. 'THE VISITOR WILL HAVE THE IMPRESSION OF BEING IN THE VERSAILLES DOMAIN, NOT THE PALACE ITSELF', HAUTCHAMP SAID, ADDING THAT NO OTHER HOTEL HAS SIMILAR VIEWS. 'IT'S ABOUT 100 METERS FROM THE HEART OF THE PALACE.' ROOM RATES MIGHT SUIT NOBILITY: A VERSAILLES SPOKESMAN SAID THEY ARE EXPECTED TO RUN $650-780 PER NIGHT.

VERSAILLES TO OPEN HOTEL ON PALACE GROUNDS

ADMINISTRATORS OF FRANCE'S VERSAILLES PALACE SAID FRIDAY THAT THEY HAVE AGREED TO LEASE AN ADJACENT BUILDING KING LOUIS XIV's 17th CENTURY CHATEAU FOR USE AS A HOTEL. THE HOTEL DU GRAND CONTROLE, WHICH WAS HOME FOR FINANCIAL ADVISERS TO FRENCH KINGS FOR DECADES, WILL BE GETTING A $7.3 MILLION YEAR LONG FACE-LIFT BY BELGIAN COMPANY IVY INTERNATIONAL AS PART OF A DEAL CONCLUDED IN RECENT WEEKS. THE 23 ROOM HOTEL, WITH VIEWS OF THE PALACE'S ORANGERIE GARDEN, WILL OPEN IN LATE 2011. THE BUILDING PREVIOUSLY BELONGED TO THE DEFENSE MINISTRY, WHICH USED IT AS AN OFFICER'S MESS HALL, AND IT LATER FELL INTO DISREPAIR. VERSAILLES MANGERS ARE GRANTING A 30 YEAR OPERATING LEASE TO IVY. THE DEFICIT-PLAGUED FRENCH GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN LOOKING FOR WAYS TO MAKE MONEY OUT OF STATE-OWNED BUILDINGS. VERSAILLES OFFICIALS SAID THE PALACE ITSELF DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH AVAILABLE CASH TO PAY TO REFURBISH THE OUTBUILDING ITSELF. 'WE PICKED AN OUTSIDE, PRIVATE PARTNER THAT IS DOING IT FOR US', SAID MIKAEL HAUTCHAMP, AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE PALACE THAT GETS THOUSANDS OF VISITORS TO ITS LUSH GARDENS AND ORNATE ROOMS EACH DAY. 'THIS DEAL IS SAVING A BUILDING.' IN OCTOBER, A REPORT COMMISSIONED BY PRESIDENT SARKOZY RECOMMENDED MONEY-RAISING IDEAS INCLUDING OPENING LUXURY HOTELS IN ROYAL CHATEAUX ON THE STATE'S VAST REAL ESTATE PORTFOLIO, MUCH OF IT UNUSED. AND IN JUNE, THE GOVERNMENT STARTED A BIG SALE OF 1,700 STATE PROPERTIES TO SHED DILAPIDATED, EXPENSIVE TO MAINTAIN BUILDINGS. THE HOTEL DU GRANDE CONTROLE, WHICH WAS BUILT IN THE 1680s, ISN'T ON THE ACTUAL GROUNDS OF THE PALACE, A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE CONSIDERED ONE OF THE GREATEST ACHIEVEMENTS OF 17th CENTURY FRENCH ART. IT'S AS CLOSE TO ANY HOTEL PATRON CAN GET TO STAYING IN THE PALACE. 'THE VISITOR WILL HAVE THE IMPRESSION OF BEING IN THE VERSAILLES DOMAIN, NOT THE PALACE ITSELF', HAUTCHAMP SAID, ADDING THAT NO OTHER HOTEL HAS SIMILAR VIEWS. 'IT'S ABOUT 100 METERS FROM THE HEART OF THE PALACE.' ROOM RATES MIGHT SUIT NOBILITY: A VERSAILLES SPOKESMAN SAID THEY ARE EXPECTED TO RUN $650-780 PER NIGHT.

VERSAILLES TO OPEN HOTEL ON PALACE GROUNDS

A RARE COMIC BOOK AN 84 YEAR OLD CALIFORNIA MAN BOUGHT FOR A DIME WHEN HE WAS A TEEN HAS BEEN SOLD IN TEXAS FOR $492,937. THE COPY OF DETECTIVE COMICS NO 27 FEATURED THE DEBUT OF 'THE BATMAN'. ROBERT IRWIN SAYS HE BOUGHT THE MAY 1939 ISSUE FROM A SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA NEWSTAND WHEN HE WAS 13, AND IT'S THE ONLY COMIC BOOK HE KEPT FROM HIS YOUTH. THE WINNING BID CAME FROM A COLLECTOR WHO WISHED TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS. HE PLACED THE BID BY PHONE THURSDAY IN AN AUCTION BY HERITAGE AUCTIONS IN DALLAS. IRWIN, WHO ATTENDED THE AUCTION, SAYS HE IS ELATED AND WISHES HE HAD ANOTHER BOOK. HERITAGE SOLD A RARE COPY OF THE SAME COMIC IN BETTER CONDITION FOR $1,075,500 IN FEBRUARY.

RARE COMIC BOOK SELLS FOR $492,937

A RARE COMIC BOOK AN 84 YEAR OLD CALIFORNIA MAN BOUGHT FOR A DIME WHEN HE WAS A TEEN HAS BEEN SOLD IN TEXAS FOR $492,937. THE COPY OF DETECTIVE COMICS NO 27 FEATURED THE DEBUT OF 'THE BATMAN'. ROBERT IRWIN SAYS HE BOUGHT THE MAY 1939 ISSUE FROM A SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA NEWSTAND WHEN HE WAS 13, AND IT'S THE ONLY COMIC BOOK HE KEPT FROM HIS YOUTH. THE WINNING BID CAME FROM A COLLECTOR WHO WISHED TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS. HE PLACED THE BID BY PHONE THURSDAY IN AN AUCTION BY HERITAGE AUCTIONS IN DALLAS. IRWIN, WHO ATTENDED THE AUCTION, SAYS HE IS ELATED AND WISHES HE HAD ANOTHER BOOK. HERITAGE SOLD A RARE COPY OF THE SAME COMIC IN BETTER CONDITION FOR $1,075,500 IN FEBRUARY.

RARE COMIC BOOK SELLS FOR $492,937

THE NEW RITZ-CARLTON HONG KONG WILL BE THE TALLEST HOTEL IN THE WORLD AND THERE WILL BE AN INFINITY-EDGE POOL ON THE TOP FLOOR. THE CURRENT RECORD FOR THE HIGHEST HOTEL POOL IS THE INFINITY POOL ON THE EDGE OF THE MARINA BAY SAND HOTEL IN SINGAPORE, AN OPEN-AIR POOL PERCHED 55 STORIES UP. LIKE THE MARINA BAY SANDS, THE RITZ-CARLTON POOL WILL ALSO BE AN INFINITY POOL, BUT IT WILL BE LOCATED INDOORS ON THE 188th FLOOR. THE HOTEL IN THE MAKING WILL BE THE FLAGSHIP PROPERTY FOR THE RITZ-CARLTON IN ASIA, OCCUPYING LEVELS 102 TO 118 OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE CENTER. AT THE BASE OF THE ICC TOWER, THE ELEMENTS SHOPPING MALL OFFERS SOME OF THE FINEST LUXURY SHOPPING IN HONG KONG WITH BRAND NAMES AND INTERNATIONAL FASHION BRANDS FIGHTING FOR SPACE IN THE WORLD-CLASS LOCATION. THE BUILDING SITS DIRECTLY ACROSS VICTORIA HABOUR AND OFFERS MAGNIFICENT VIEWS OF THE HARBOR, HONG KONG AND THE NEW TERRITORIES. THE RITZ-CARLTON HONG KONG IS SET TO OPEN MARCH OF 2011.

RITZ-CARLTON HONG KONG TO HAVE WORLD'S TALLEST INFINITY POOL

THE NEW RITZ-CARLTON HONG KONG WILL BE THE TALLEST HOTEL IN THE WORLD AND THERE WILL BE AN INFINITY-EDGE POOL ON THE TOP FLOOR. THE CURRENT RECORD FOR THE HIGHEST HOTEL POOL IS THE INFINITY POOL ON THE EDGE OF THE MARINA BAY SAND HOTEL IN SINGAPORE, AN OPEN-AIR POOL PERCHED 55 STORIES UP. LIKE THE MARINA BAY SANDS, THE RITZ-CARLTON POOL WILL ALSO BE AN INFINITY POOL, BUT IT WILL BE LOCATED INDOORS ON THE 188th FLOOR. THE HOTEL IN THE MAKING WILL BE THE FLAGSHIP PROPERTY FOR THE RITZ-CARLTON IN ASIA, OCCUPYING LEVELS 102 TO 118 OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE CENTER. AT THE BASE OF THE ICC TOWER, THE ELEMENTS SHOPPING MALL OFFERS SOME OF THE FINEST LUXURY SHOPPING IN HONG KONG WITH BRAND NAMES AND INTERNATIONAL FASHION BRANDS FIGHTING FOR SPACE IN THE WORLD-CLASS LOCATION. THE BUILDING SITS DIRECTLY ACROSS VICTORIA HABOUR AND OFFERS MAGNIFICENT VIEWS OF THE HARBOR, HONG KONG AND THE NEW TERRITORIES. THE RITZ-CARLTON HONG KONG IS SET TO OPEN MARCH OF 2011.

RITZ-CARLTON HONG KONG TO HAVE WORLD'S TALLEST INFINITY POOL