𝗙𝗢𝗖𝗨𝗦 𝗢𝗡 𝗠𝗔𝗜𝗡: Venice’s Iconic Binoculars Undergo Restoration at Google-Occupied Landmark

 

Under clear coastal light on Friday, November 28, 2025, crews were seen high on lift platforms actively refurbishing the Giant Binoculars on Main Street — a rare restoration on one of Venice’s most recognizable landmarks. Primer patches and resurfaced sections marked visible progress on the sculpture’s exterior, signaling an ongoing effort to preserve its distinctive matte finish and structural detail.

Designed in 1991 by architect Frank Gehry in collaboration with artists Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, the oversized binoculars have long served as both sculpture and functional gateway. For years, vehicles passed directly through the lenses to enter the courtyard, a signature example of postmodern design that blurred the boundary between utility and monumental art. The structure remains a defining presence in Venice’s architectural identity — surreal, playful, unmistakably bold.

The building that sits behind the binoculars, once home to the advertising agency Chiat/Day, is now occupied by Google, extending the location’s creative legacy into the digital era along the booming tech corridor known as Silicon Beach.

The refurbishment is being carried out by Randall/McAnany, a Southern California company established in 1978 by William A. Randall and Timothy J. McAnany. Originally operating from a 200-square-foot office with a small warehouse, the firm has since grown into a Gardena headquarters with 1,800 square feet of office space and 15,000 square feet of warehouse capacity. After Randall’s retirement in 1994, McAnany became President and C.E.O., later transitioning to Chairman of the Board as Stefan Politz stepped into the executive role in 2009 — marking nearly five decades of continuous operation in the region.

Workers appeared to be sanding, resurfacing, and applying new coatings to the binoculars throughout the day — part of a larger preservation effort to ensure the sculpture remains structurally sound and visually striking for years to come. Once refinished, the binoculars are expected to return to their deep, uniform tone, restoring the iconic street-level silhouette that has drawn curiosity, cameras, and architectural study for more than thirty years.

Still standing at the crossroads of art, industry, and imagination, Venice’s binoculars remain a landmark worth watching.