1. The problem is to find the vertex of the quadratic function $$y = - (x + 4)^2 - 4$$. 2. The vertex form of a quadratic function is $$y = a(x - h)^2 + k$$, where $$(h, k)$$ is the vertex. 3. In the given function, $$y = - (x + 4)^2 - 4$$, rewrite $$x + 4$$ as $$x - (-4)$$ to identify $$h = -4$$ and $$k = -4$$. 4. Therefore, the vertex is $$(-4, -4)$$. 5. This means the parabola opens downward (since $$a = -1 < 0$$) and its highest point is at $$(-4, -4)$$.