Creator of Paris 'marvel' reaches century mark

Louvre pyramid now considered an icon after early controversies

PARIS - The modernist architect I.M. Pei, who was once pilloried for plonking a glass pyramid into the courtyard of the Louvre, turns 100 on Wednesday with his controversial creation now an icon of the French capital.

The Chinese-American designer endured a roasting from critics before the giant glass structure opened in 1989, with up to 90 percent of Parisians said to be against the project at one point.