In Avengers Campus (or California Adventure more broadly), there is no building that stands out quite like the Collector’s Fortress. This looming, mysterious structure houses one of the most popular attractions at the resort (Mission Breakout), and is home to just a fraction of the Collector’s massive store of treasures.
But why does this building look the way it does? Let’s take a closer look.
Despite the massive library of Marvel source material Avengers Campus pulls from, there really wasn’t anything to use as a reference for the exterior of the Fortress. We do see the exterior of the Collector’s Museum (his main gallery) in several Marvel movies. But the concept of a teleporting fortress that makes its way to earth was a new idea designed for California Adventure.
Imagineers couldn’t exactly start from scratch with this project, though. They had to use the bones of its predecessor: The Hollywood Tower Hotel. You’ll see the base shape of both buildings are identical; the differences come in the details.
First, the building took on a much more Marvel-esque color scheme, with golds, reds, and blues. Next, the facade transformed with tons of layered decorations, some appearing to be practical for a teleporting building (thus so many satellite dishes and fuel pipes), and others perhaps just additional pieces of the collection on display.
This new design became part of Marvel lore when it made two official appearances. The Fortress makes a brief cameo on the planet Sakaar in Thor: Ragnarok. And you can also see the building’s comic debut in Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout.
Source: Disney Fandom
I’ll be totally honest with you. I find this building absolutely hideous. I don’t think the color scheme looks other-worldly the way it intends to. Much of the facade details just appear stuck on without much design purpose – which is why I guessed they might be part of the collection. But whether I like it or not, The Collector feels its rightful home is Avengers Campus, with open doors welcoming recruits to explore the massive store of treasure from across the universe.
