Talk:Dingbat (building)

Topics to cover

 * Earthquake safety


 * I was just coming here to suggest mentioning that the structure that fell down in the Northridge earthquake was a dingbat; although apparently it was not built to code, and similar buildings nearby were not affected so severely. Might be useful info at the daunting Seismic retrofit.  &mdash; Catherine\talk 03:24, 5 January 2006 (UTC)


 * Dingbats as investment vehicle: Dingbats are many small investors' first choice: the simplicity of the building, its high cash flow, and low expenses make most dingbats "cash cows" for their owners. Immigrants, from out of state or country, (who have no appreciation for the architectural or landscape design priciples of Los Angeles) find dingbats a perfect vehicle for Home Depot improvement projects.  Example--Koreatown: did dingbats choose the Koreans, or did Koreans choose the dingbats?  DesignerJimO 04:01, 28 March 2007 (UTC)


 * Saving the Dingbat: It would also be important to note that not only simple gentrification and nostalgia for the imagined swinging lifestyle of the 1960s is saving the dingbat. Many dingbats are saved by being converted to condos (especially with the recent run-up in values) thus assuring that many dingbats will continue to be maintained as their new owners make 30-year payments on individual units.  DesignerJimO 04:01, 28 March 2007 (UTC)

POV
Ok, having lived in "dingbats" for fifteen years in LA, I find this article (more than) a bit biased toward the negative. At least that's my first impression. Statements such as "Like a great deal of American vernacular architecture—Quonset huts and storefront churches come to mind—dingbats are meant to be purposeful, not lovable" is POV. The Apple Pan is vernacular, but completely loveable from some POV's.

There also needs to be more citations in general and a few positive ones showing another perspective would be give it some balance. I also find there's too many generalizations, but maybe that's a product of the negativity. Or maybe my bias based on my former neighborhood. Also, the picture needs to indicate that this is a rear view (I believe) and the addition of a front view would be helpful. I'd also choose a building with more parking bays, say four, which according to the article, is the average.OwenSaunders (talk) 02:26, 7 July 2008 (UTC)


 * Yes, this article needs something of an attitude adjustment. I'm working on it. Dreamyshade (talk) 05:21, 7 September 2009 (UTC)

Yes its important to revise this. The type still represents improved intensification over single family homes. The decorative fronts presumably respond to the driving experience. Rare clear example of mid-rise North American type? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.31.42.147 (talk) 16:42, 3 September 2010 (UTC)

I suggest that either one of two things be done with the Gary Indiana quotes: (a) translate them into Plain English, as most normal people I know don't speak Pretentious Hooey English, or (b) delete them, because who the heck is this guy anyway? I don't see how his opinion is worth any more than that of my cat. Just sayin'. 12.31.187.178 (talk) 22:39, 22 June 2016 (UTC)

Melbourne, Australia
Wow this style of apartment building is extremely common in Melbourne throughout dozens of the older suburbs, where they replaced older houses that were on large blocks. Everything is the same, the general look, size, layout, cursive script building names based on the name of the street, suburb, or some obviously untrue/outlandish idea such as "Royal Apartments", "Bella Vista", "Luxury Towers". Only thing different is that the name "dingbat" is never used or even heard of. They do not really have a particular name here and tend to simply be called "1960s flats". Format (talk) 21:15, 25 June 2011 (UTC)

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Four-plus-one
In Chicago these are called a four-plus-one. They have the some structural characteristics, but not the Mid-Century modern and kitsch aesthetic. BradVesp (talk) 11:34, 27 September 2022 (UTC)