Home : Architectural Critics

Architectural Critics

Posted by Donald J. Trump on 10/12/2009 at 2:48 PM
Posted in Real Estate Investing

Blog Image Over the years I have dealt with many architectural critics, some of them bad, some good, some excellent. I do not rate excellence just on what they’ve said about me, but rather on their level of taste and expertise.

One of the best I’ve ever known is the late great Herbert Muschamp of The New York Times. His reviews were not only interesting, in the terms of the building, but also literarily superb.

Generally speaking I have done well with architectural critics. I have found though, somewhat sadly, the choice of the architect is usually more important than the building itself. Certain trophy architects, who happen to be hot at the time, no matter what the design, will get a great review.

One time I was sitting with a certain architectural critic and I showed him a building I was building and I told him it was done by Philip Birnbaum, a New York architect who made lots of builders money, and who actually designed good buildings but would always get bad reviews. The critic sat at lunch and absolutely excoriated the building, he thought it was terrible. Then I told him I was only joking, the building was actually done by Philip Johnson. Over the course of the next ten minutes he started to retract his previous hatred for the building and by the end of the lunch he thought it was a great piece of art.

I used Philip Johnson at Trump International Hotel & Tower, at 1 Central Park West. It got wonderful reviews--but the building is deserving of wonderful reviews. So, architectural reviews are like menus in restaurants--everyone has their own taste and can choose accordingly.

One of the worst architectural critics I’ve encountered is Blair Kamin who writes for the Chicago Tribune. Not only is his writing at a low level, but his level of taste is even worse. He’s got, as an example, a pet building that he talks about glowingly which is absolutely terrible--a total joke. He has given me some good reviews and he has given me some negative reviews but he is a terrible architectural critic. The good news is that he probably won’t be at the Tribune much longer.

The real question is--do people value the opinions of critics? I say they probably do but in the end a great building will always be a great building.

Related Post
Top Ten Tips For Success

Related Training:
Learn real estate investing
Work With a Coach
Join Trump University's Network

Donald J. Trump is Chairman of Trump University.

Please log in or join to comment.

13 Comments

Posted by GEORGE VEDEL on 10/12/2009 5:24 PM

DEAR DONALD TRUMP!

There are very few who can estimate good from bad themselves.
People listen to authorities to tell them which is which.
To me excellence and honesty are the authorities, that is why i prefer to listen to DT.
The builder and the financing are over the architect, and the building is over the critics.

Sincerely,

George Vedel
Nedre Mosevej 61
9990 Skagen
Denmark

Posted by Brendan Ryan on 10/12/2009 9:21 PM

It can be said that a great architect will no doubt recieve great praise. However, there are the low rent kinds of architects, and the middle of the road architects, as well as praise worthy architects, the same way there are low rent architectural critics, middle of the road architectural critics, and the praise worthy architectural critics. It all comes down to refining your outlooks in terms of choosing an architect that will make you successful, and keeping your outlook's gaurd up when knowing whether to listen or not to your critcs. Use your best insights and outlooks to make yourself a success, no one else can do this for you. You are your own best friend, so don't let yourself down, and remember that you've got the help and opinions of others to help you make the best decisions possible.
Brendan Ryan
The Brendan Ryan Company
Houston, Texas

Posted by user28112 on 10/13/2009 12:01 AM

To you Trump: the Ace of Architecture. May you and your family continue to be the "Ace of Real Estate."

Sad to say there are people who will subordinate their tastes and thinking to so-called experts. Whether a critic is bad, good or excellent, an energetic person should see and or taste for his or her self while learning what they can from the "expert." Safe to say that whatever is branded with the Trump name is excellent.

Sincerely your friend and "Revolutionary Entrepreneur"
Nimrod

Dr. Nimrod Erech M. Christ Nimrod,
President, Co-founder
Self-Esteem & World Peace Association
Nimrodworldpeace@aol.com.

Posted by Rachael Sutton #1253595 on 10/13/2009 12:07 AM

Personally, I rarely pay much attention to critics because I like to draw my own conclusions. The only exception to that is when I am considering an investment or purchase, then, I want to get inspection evaluations, find out about consumer complaints, returns, etc.

Mr. Trump, in the end, what really matters isn't what the critic writes, or what masses are easily lead to believe. What matters is that you know you did your best. It is much easier to critique than to produce, and most people are more inclined to see the flaws in other's work than in their own.

I realize, for marketing purposes, what is presented can have a financial impact, and most people are easily influenced. So, having a good rapport with those critics I'm sure is crucial. In the end, though, they do exactly what their title implies, they are critics - not praisers, and you go on doing what you were born to do. You build, and you build it to last.

It stands to reason that the name of the architect has impact. We are judged by those whose company we keep. As I'm sure their affiliation with you also impacts them. So, since you are being a critic of critics, in your estimation, what makes a good critic and what makes a good architect?

Posted by member1815053 on 10/13/2009 1:53 PM

I have to say that all The Trump Buildings are very amazing and beautiful! They have been built with good taste and with professional skill and design is preeminent.

I visited that website http://www.trumpintl.com/ and I almost hold my breath and sighed: what a wonderful views! It is already pleasure to visit these websites, they give you harmony and takes you to another, beautiful world: http://www.trumpintl.com/Accommodations/packages.asp#romance.

I think all people must have rightness to his or her opinion and it is very good to have all kind of critics. If all the people only say good things about what you have done, so you can not learn to do your work more better or use better experts.

Many times it is so that critics do not have the courage to say really what they think. It is pitty. If the building is terrible but has a famous designer, it can get anyway good critiques. In the other hand if the building is beautiful but the designer is unfamous, the building can get bad critic.

Posted by user28112 on 10/13/2009 2:00 PM

Trump - The father of the Bride:

Congratulations on Ivanka's soon to be marriage. I just got the news from Regis. Ivanka is a smart woman. No doubt her choice is right on the money. But I will think about the great fantastic Ivanka who got away :) smile.

Ivanka, best wishes. May your marriage last forever and a day and 33 minutes. You looked very beautiful talking with Regis and Kelly today. Your mind was sharp. Your dress, hair and shoes were lovely. Your eyes and smile were captivating. You are in great shape. Ivanka you would look good extremely fat, bald and wearing a big flour sack, because you are beautiful on the inside as well, which is very unique. Ivanka, you said that your fiancée is a catch. But you dear lady are a "CATCH!" God is with you both.

"A virtuous wife is a crown to her husband…" (Proverbs 12:4)
"Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favor from the LORD." (Proverbs 18:22).

Don’t be too hard on Regis if he misses any of his flights and does not make it to the wedding. Regis has the best of intentions and is a really, really good guy as we all know.

Sincerely, your friend and "Revolutionary Entrepreneur"
Nimrod

Dr. Nimrod Erech M. Christ Nimrod,
President, Co-founder
Self-Esteem & World Peace Association
Nimrodworldpeace@aol.com.

Posted by member11024236 on 10/13/2009 2:06 PM

Why do people criticize? It seems to be a natural reaction to an undesirable situation. To be critical and find fault with someone and something is more easily than find solutions, offer models or simply bring in new ideas.
I embrace the idea that we shouldn’t pay attention to the critics but likewise, we shouldn’t ignore it. And as Mark Twain said: "One mustn't criticize other people on grounds where he can't stand perpendicular himself" http://www.bestwisewords.com/author/quotes/3/mark-twain-quotes

Regards,
Adina
http://www.bestwisewords.com/quotes/409/criticism-quotes

Posted by Rachael Sutton #1253595 on 10/13/2009 3:19 PM

In the words of Dale Carnegie, "Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain - and most fools do."

KeyS - What most people don't realize is that when they criticize, it says more about what they are than it does about the object of focus, just as how you react to the criticism says more about you than their words.

Posted by Cheryle on 10/13/2009 6:14 PM

Do you value the opinions of critics? I think you do. You expect them to have knowledge in their field, be open to new ideas, and be able to express themselves effectively. And they should!
Architecture is a form of art. Like painting, sculpture, fashion design and many others, interests and tastes vary. One person may like the shape but not the colors used. Another person can be fascinated by a particular era or style. Victorean homes were considered ornate homes of the rich. Some people have referred to them as "gingerbread houses." I consider them charming, elegant and well-made.
In some places, architecture is limited by strict building codes. The height of the building, number of floors and the materials used both for construction and adornment must be approved before any building can be completed. This may seem unfair to some new architects, but usually they are not considering the overall look and feel of the place where they want to create something new, and the feelings of the people who also own property in that particular location. This can create a problem especially in a highly populated area such as New York City or a diverse, but much smaller location such as Long Island.
Critics need to be respected if they want to have followers who will take their advice. So selecting a well respected architect to talk about makes sense. Comparing the shabby work of an architect also makes sense. How else will people know the difference?

Posted by member11002657 on 10/14/2009 3:49 AM

Architectural reviews inspires us new ideas.

p.s. I want to become an American.Living and working in America are my dream.

Posted by member1982261 on 10/14/2009 12:34 PM

I trust my own judgment and I don't need professional critics to tell me what to like and not to like. For me most of these critics do not offer much value.

John,
http://www.canadabanks.net/Banking_Terms.aspx

Posted by Alf J. Lundgren on 10/14/2009 4:24 PM

These critics obviously don't know their role.

Posted by u266082 on 10/14/2009 4:40 PM

LOL Al I can say is this artical made me chuckle from the inside out, truly aloud. Thanks for your humor, Mr. Trump.

Please log in or join to comment.

Newer

Older

Home