- THE AMERICANA AT BRAND TROLLEY
- Designed by George McGinnis the open-style trolley at The Americana at Brand is a richly colored and ornately articulated transport that circumnavigates the property.
- Built and engineered in Iowa by The Gomaco Trolley Company, which specializes in authentic trolley construction and restoration, the gently arched roof has a wood sub-frame, aircraft plywood base and canvas and fiberglass finish. It features a clear story with beautiful stained glass window panes designed and built by James Thomas Stained Glass of Studio City, Calif.
- The interior is cherry wood ceilings, floors and seats, accommodating 35 passengers plus two conductors in the trolley and 30 passengers plus one conductor in the trailer car.
- It is powered by 30 lithium-phosphate maintenance-free batteries that are half the weight of similar-sized lead acid batteries but deliver twice the run time. A wheelchair passenger lift is located in the rear of the engine car.
- Pick up points are at Americana Way in front of Chico’s and Caruso Avenue in front of Lucky Kid.
- HOURS OF OPERATION:
- Sunday – Thursday 11:00am – 7:45pm
- Friday and Saturday 11:00am – 8:45pm
- Daily Break Time 4:00am - 5:00pm
- THE DANCING FOUNTAIN & LIGHT SHOW
- Visitors will be amazed and delighted by the spectacular animated fountain that serves as a focal point of The Green at The Americana at Brand.
- Vibrantly illuminated with white lights for a strong nighttime presence and musically programmed to dance rhythmically to the sounds of Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Andrea Bocelli and other favorites, the fountain provides a dramatic performance.
- Brand Ave. at Caruso Ave.
(enter by the Excelsior Sales Center, just south of the Self Parking entrance)
- Created by Wet Design of Sun Valley, California, the leading designer of imaginative water and fire attractions for major venues throughout the world, including the animated fountains at The Bellagio in Las Vegas, the fountain at The Americana at Brand is sure to mesmerize and enthrall all who view its breathtaking performances.
- HOURS OF OPERATION:
- Every hour, 10am – 10:30pm
- THE SPIRIT OF THE AMERICAN YOUTH RISING FROM THE WAVES
- A true celebration of our country’s history, this sculpture came to grace The Americana at Brand through a serendipitous turn of events.
- The original was created in 1949 by the visionary American sculptor, Donald Harcourt De Lue (1897-1988), as the centerpiece of The Omaha Beach Memorial in France.
- “The Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves,” commemorates D-Day, the Allied invasion of Normandy, which was a turning point of WWII. It personifies the unbreakable spirit, honor and idealism of the thousands of soldiers who fought to liberate Europe.
- How “Spirit” came to be here is a story unto itself. In 2007, while strolling Boston’s Newberry Street with his family, Rick J. Caruso, Founder and CEO of Caruso Affiliated, spied a beautiful, heroic figure in a gallery window. It was Sunday, and the gallery was closed, but he was so intrigued by its quiet majesty that he postponed his return home.
- When the gallery finally opened, he learned the piece was a maquette of the De Lue sculpture, “America,” a true replica of which resides atop the domed roof of Excelsior at The Americana at Brand.
- The gallery owner gave Mr. Caruso a book on De Lue, which fell open to the page featuring “The Spirit of American Youth.” Thinking of his project in Los Angeles, The Americana at Brand, Mr. Caruso recognized this remarkable good fortune.
- After months of searching, he had finally found the cornerstone for his vision of a place that honored the history of America and celebrated its future. He felt this art was meant to be shared with the people of Los Angeles.
- The original plaster prototype for “Spirit” was located in a warehouse in Boston. De Lue’s apprentice, William Kilpatrick, who had worked by his side for years, was available to recreate the bronze sculpture. To finish the masterpiece, he reunited with old friends of his and De Lue’s at the Polich Tallix Foundry in New York, where the original “Spirit” was created.
- The heart of The Americana at Brand, this sculpture pays homage to one of the finest artists of The Greatest Generation. Its creation brought together old friends and made new ones.
- Its journey to this place has been one of discovery, ingenuity, creativity and dedication.
- Its story reflects the story of our country—of people coming together with hope in their hearts to make something truly great.
- At over 18-feet tall, this enlarged silicone bronze replica of "Spirit,” finished in 23-carat gold leaf is probably the largest gilded statue in the country. It weighs over 2,500 pounds.
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