Eat at Phillipe's, on Alameda St. just north of Union Station and Olvera Street.
Visited the LA Central Library this past spring. They had just begun guided tours. Well worth visiting! The library is lovely. At previews for the new JK Rowling movie, it's appears the library's grand escalator space was used as a digitally altered backdrop. We've traveled extensively and were very impressed. There is a beautiful cafe outside the library, alongside the fountain pictured, a great spot for lunch.
2
I would have included the Griffith Planetarium as one of the not to be missed architectural delights. I'm not sure if it is Art Deco, but it is memorable. Pasadena is also filled with Arts and Crafts homes, and the LA area has many other architectural delights not mentioned here.
Oh to be back in the California I once knew!
(sigh)
Oh to be back in the California I once knew!
(sigh)
4
Visions of Jake Gittes and Mrs. Mulwray! The best part about this article is that it brings back memories of "Chinatown" with its Art Deco and Film Noir. The two will always go excellently hand in hand.
There may have been a lot of demolition, due to earthquake or other natural or manmade disturbance, over the decades, but with its proximity to Hollywood, L.A. is probably the only city in the country that can bring back its Art Deco and Film Noir past in solid structures built in the 21st Century. Hollywood just has to grow up and operate maturely.
There may have been a lot of demolition, due to earthquake or other natural or manmade disturbance, over the decades, but with its proximity to Hollywood, L.A. is probably the only city in the country that can bring back its Art Deco and Film Noir past in solid structures built in the 21st Century. Hollywood just has to grow up and operate maturely.
3
Asheville NC is another great treasure trove of Art Deco architecture.
1
Bevis Hillier may have popularized the term "art deco" beginning in 1968, but she did not coin it:
"The first use of the term Art Deco has been attributed to architect Le Corbusier who penned a series of articles in his journal L'Esprit nouveau under the headline '1925 Expo: Arts Déco'." —
"The first use of the term Art Deco has been attributed to architect Le Corbusier who penned a series of articles in his journal L'Esprit nouveau under the headline '1925 Expo: Arts Déco'." —
6
I should have included the link to the above quotation: http://www.liquisearch.com/art_deco/etymology
1
Inside the Ace Hotel there is the most ornate theater I have ever seen. The Spanish Gothic imagery evokes Northern Spain and Barcelona's towering cathedral. LA is choke full of gems, but wading through the rougher sections of town could deter some from exploring. I suggest parking by the Last Bookstore and fanning out from there. Cost? $10 for the day and plenty to do, including food at the Grand Central Market.
1
Excellent as this article is, the author omits mention of one of the greatest Art Deco treasures of Los Angeles: Bullock's Wilshire (now the Southwest College of Law). This masterpiece has been painstakingly restored and at least once a year is open to the public via Los Angeles Conservancy tours. Please consult the appropriate websites for images and further information.
8
Few people may be aware of it, but the architect Goodhue worked with his architectural sculptor, Lee Lawrie (1877-1963) from 1895 until Goodhue's untimely death in 1924. During both the construction of the Nebraska State Capitol, and the Los Angeles Public Library, the "thematic consultant" was Nebraska philosophy professor Hartley Burr Alexander.
Alexander was probably the brightest guy, or at least the best educated to ever come out of Nebraska. After graduating with his Ph.D. from Columbia in 1900, his first job was helping update the Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, in the first decade of the 20th Century. He was also a linguist fluent in German, French, Greek, Latin and other languages that came to comprise the English Language. He is credited for writing the definitions of all of the word in this particular dictionary, "from 'bicycle' to marriage'."
Alexander was brought in to aid Bertram Goodhue (& Associates) with enhancing the themes of the purpose of the Nebraska Capitol, which where simple: 1) Honoring the 700+ Nebraskans killed in WWI, 2) honoring the Native Americans who were the first residents of the state, and 3) telling the story of the system of government that the Europeans brought with them into the state.
Oh, Lawrie's most famous piece is the Atlas at Rockefeller Center, circa 1936. He has sculpture all over the nation, yet he was too humble to boast of his work. See more of it at my site http://www.leelawrie.com.
Alexander was probably the brightest guy, or at least the best educated to ever come out of Nebraska. After graduating with his Ph.D. from Columbia in 1900, his first job was helping update the Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, in the first decade of the 20th Century. He was also a linguist fluent in German, French, Greek, Latin and other languages that came to comprise the English Language. He is credited for writing the definitions of all of the word in this particular dictionary, "from 'bicycle' to marriage'."
Alexander was brought in to aid Bertram Goodhue (& Associates) with enhancing the themes of the purpose of the Nebraska Capitol, which where simple: 1) Honoring the 700+ Nebraskans killed in WWI, 2) honoring the Native Americans who were the first residents of the state, and 3) telling the story of the system of government that the Europeans brought with them into the state.
Oh, Lawrie's most famous piece is the Atlas at Rockefeller Center, circa 1936. He has sculpture all over the nation, yet he was too humble to boast of his work. See more of it at my site http://www.leelawrie.com.
2
Lee Lawrie created all of the sculpture on the Los Angeles Public Library, and I have written a book about its symbolism. He was an Art Deco genius, who flew under the radar of the art history community.
www.leelawrie.com
www.leelawrie.com
2
What a fantastic article and one that brings on homesickness. I grew up within walking distance of many of the buildings cited in the story and since I also grew up carless, I know DTLA by foot well. I walked past these buildings so often and rarely stopped to appreciate their beauty. If you visit LA, take a DTLA architectural tour--well worth it. I've been away for 12 years now but visit semi-annually as my mom still lives nearby DTLA. I now take the time to look out for DTLA gems. During my last visit, I went to city hall and enjoyed the visitor's viewing floor. My first ever job was as a summer file clerk in city hall and at 14, I didn't appreciate the beauty of my work location. Another tip--from LAX, there is an express bus that goes straight to Union Station. If you are staying in or near DTLA and do not want to drive, I recommend this bus. It's affordable and hassle-free and best of all, you are dropped off at Union Station--if you can, take the time to enjoy the station.
7
Oh my, you didn't miss reporting on the Coca Cola building, did you? One of the most interesting streamline moderne buildings in the city.
4
Yes, the one on Central that looks like a ship. It plays off of the "streamline" in a playful way.
3
I am a native of Los Angeles, though I now live quite far away. All the buildings mentioned in the article are part of my childhood. My father used borrow books from the Central Library building and would take me along. I was always in awe of the structure and it's interior and was delighted when it was saved from demolition. I remember well the large mansions on Bunker Hill and becried their destruction in the name of modernity and progress. Let what happened in LA be a lesson to us all--not to destroy the past. Things can always find another life in later years.
5
This was a wonderful article, thank you. The interested fan of art deco in Los Angeles should also check-out the many public schools in the area which are wonder examples of art deco and streamline moderne. Many school districts were building frantically during the boom of the 1920's and hired local architects who incorporated the then current fashion. In 1933 the Long Beach Earthquake damaged many schools and districts, with WPA money, built many new schools. Architects made use of this fresh canvas to create many beautiful new schools.
http://www.laschools.org/documents/download/asset_management/studies_and...
http://www.laschools.org/documents/download/asset_management/studies_and...
3
Some of these houses are over 20 years old...LA Story.
Sorry, couldn't resist. Great article.
Sorry, couldn't resist. Great article.
1
Wow! Thanks for this piece! Twas good to spend a little time at home! But do add Royce Hall and the Library at UCLA. And the Rose Bowl?
4
Great article!
1
should have included all buildings inside UCLA campus and the LA cathedral. saw them when i visited LA in late september.
2
Remember the author is focussing on downtown, which is many worlds away from the UCLA campus. I also sure hope you're not referring to the modern cathedral downtown, which is horror moderne.
2
Three days a week I walk during my hour long lunch break to admire these buildings in downtown. Art Deco, Beau Arts, Mission Revival, Victorian, etc are all here to marvel. Downtown Los Angeles has the largest collection of pre-WW II buildings west of the Mississippi, I highly recommend a walking tour with the L.A. Conservancy next time you're in town.
8
Great article, but one of the most amazing, beautiful, popular, quintessential over-the-top examples of art deco opulence and extravagance in the world was missed: The Pantages theater in Hollywood. Stop in to catch a current Broadway show. The muti-layerd gold guilded ceiling alone will floor you! https://flic.kr/p/8znxvW
8
Check out the guided tours of LA's Art Deco landmark Central Library. Free, no reservations needed, they depart from the library bookstore at 12:30pm Monday through Friday, 11am and 2pm on Saturdays and 2pm on Sundays.
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great info!
1
I was once at a library in Los Angeles when I found a book, "Forgotten Art Deco From Southern California" or some title like that. I got very exited looking at the photographs of some spectacular buildings, and then my heart sank every time I read the caption, which went on to explain that the building was demolished after an earthquake.
Nonetheless, some of that architecture survives. My daughter attends USC so my wife and I stay at the Ace Hotel when we visit Los Angeles--it's pretty close to campus, the restaurant is reasonable and there's actually a number of good restaurants within walking (!!) distance. portions of the downtown area resembles 42nd street about 30 years ago, but a lot of the lovely Art Deco buildings with tiled exteriors are intact, and it's a pleasure to see them.
Nonetheless, some of that architecture survives. My daughter attends USC so my wife and I stay at the Ace Hotel when we visit Los Angeles--it's pretty close to campus, the restaurant is reasonable and there's actually a number of good restaurants within walking (!!) distance. portions of the downtown area resembles 42nd street about 30 years ago, but a lot of the lovely Art Deco buildings with tiled exteriors are intact, and it's a pleasure to see them.
7
For lovers of Air Deco and related styles a great follow up would be a profile of Napier, New Zealand. This small city was heavily damaged by an earthquake and rebuilt in the early 1930's which has left it with a beautiful collection of Architecture from the period.
http://www.newzealand.com/int/napier
Since New Zealand is 6 months out of sync with our seasons, a visit during our wintertime would be a sunny summertime visit to Hawke's Bay and Napier. Highly recommended.
Would love to see a NYT profile on the town.
http://www.newzealand.com/int/napier
Since New Zealand is 6 months out of sync with our seasons, a visit during our wintertime would be a sunny summertime visit to Hawke's Bay and Napier. Highly recommended.
Would love to see a NYT profile on the town.
6
Wonderful article on LA Art Deco. In addition to City Hall and the Title Insurance and Trust Building, Donald and John Parkinson designed other iconic LA Art Deco structures-the Coliseum, Bullock's Wilshire, and Union Station.
3
The Bullock's Wilshire (department store, now Southwestern Law School) building should absolutely be mention too. It's the building they filmed the final scene of the 1984 film Ghostbusters, on top of the building. Feast your eyes on this: https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/bullocks-wilshire-los-angeles
6
Having grown up in LA and remembering from my misspent youth arguments over the height limits on buildings to around 150 feet (roughly LA City Hall) until resolution in the mid-50s, I quibble with the suggestion that it was some kind of architectural plan that led to that height limit. My recall is that the argument centered much more around earthquakes, and that evidence that engineers in the '50s could do higher buildings and render them relatively safe won the day.
I believe "Miracle Mile" on West Wilshire was the first exhibition of higher and squared off office towers. Yes, UGH, I agree! But city planning in LA was not yet in the forefront in those days (is it now?); development and attracting newcomers was. Great article, nonetheless!
I believe "Miracle Mile" on West Wilshire was the first exhibition of higher and squared off office towers. Yes, UGH, I agree! But city planning in LA was not yet in the forefront in those days (is it now?); development and attracting newcomers was. Great article, nonetheless!
4
I LOVE LA
12
Spent 4 days at the Biltmore last week.
Still nice.
Still nice.
2
Union station is for me the end all and be all of California beauty. Santa Fe station in San Diego is wonderful too. That should begin any tour of all that LA has to offer. I really miss it and now live where timeless architecture is hard to come by.
7
I am an NYC Art Deco fan and a member of the New York Art Deco Society. I had never seen these LA beauties until now, although I know that Hollywood did have an Art Deco love affair. Thank goodness that some of these gorgeous buildings are still standing, cared, enjoyed and admired. Thank you New York Times!
12
Karen,
Get in touch with Allatair in the society. He can let you know once I publish my book on Lee Lawrie's Art Deco sculpture there at the Library. Lawrie also created the Atlas at the Rockefeller Center. Deco and ecclesiastic architectural sculpture all over the nation. See more at my site leelawrie.com.
Get in touch with Allatair in the society. He can let you know once I publish my book on Lee Lawrie's Art Deco sculpture there at the Library. Lawrie also created the Atlas at the Rockefeller Center. Deco and ecclesiastic architectural sculpture all over the nation. See more at my site leelawrie.com.
1
Another note on the Central Library, one of the loveliest buildings downtown: it was badly damaged by fire in 1986 and was rebuilt with an 8-story atrium in a coordinating style.
And how could you miss the Fine Arts Building at the northwest corner of 7th and Flower? It has several restaurants on the ground floor -- though the McDonald's has been replaced by a Coffee Bean -- and WeWork occupies the bulk of the building. The lobby is open to the public and worth stepping into.
And how could you miss the Fine Arts Building at the northwest corner of 7th and Flower? It has several restaurants on the ground floor -- though the McDonald's has been replaced by a Coffee Bean -- and WeWork occupies the bulk of the building. The lobby is open to the public and worth stepping into.
7
I was out in LA several years ago in the downtown area, and I spent time wandering in the jewelry and flower and garment (??) districts, and I was fascinated by the architecture, wandering up Broadway it was like stepping back in time to the Noire movies I loved so much, could see Phillip Marlowe pulling up in front of one of the buildings. There was a building on broadway with a radio mast on top of it, you could't get me 1930's than that. From what I understand, the old buildings down there are being renovated, not torn down, and the area has become a lot less gritty then when I was there. The fact that downtown LA is undergoing something of a renaissance is nice, because hopefully it means the architecture will be preserved instead of being allowed to go downhill into shoddy shape, and that future generations can enjoy it. The LA I saw downtown was a real city, not a sprawling suburb that much of LA seems to be, and I liked it.
15
like see a movie with these buildings in the background
1
Thank you very much - splendid article! Anyone wishing to enjoy Art Deco lodging might look nearby at the Georgian Hotel in Santa Monica or the Sunset Tower Hotel in West Hollywood.
Decades before the term Art Deco became the vernacular, it was better known as Style Moderne or sometimes simply modern architecture. What's striking is how contemporary many buildings in this style appear - even those which have not been well maintained and await restoration. It has not escaped notice many of these buildings are located in walkable urbane districts of Los Angeles.
Decades before the term Art Deco became the vernacular, it was better known as Style Moderne or sometimes simply modern architecture. What's striking is how contemporary many buildings in this style appear - even those which have not been well maintained and await restoration. It has not escaped notice many of these buildings are located in walkable urbane districts of Los Angeles.
8
The Shangri La Hotel in Santa Monica is in a similar streamline modern mode. I think that art deco is so loved (especially compared to so much of what came after) because it embraces and celebrates the city. After World War 2, we had decades of defensive, anti-urban architecture, with the fortress like Bonaventure Hotel in Downtown LA being a true low point.
1
Thank you for writing and printing this article. Art Deco is a beautiful art form. I would like to see a Neo Art Deco period.
7
These are nice - but quite frankly not more impressive than Art Deco I see in The Bronx. Though some of them need sprucing up - the Grand Concourse is like northern city version of Miami. From the Loews Theatre to all the apartment buildings. Certainly a greater concentration than most places - even though it's not covered much in the travel media.
2
Couldn't agree more. Great buildings on the Grand Concourse.
1
How could you overlook the WIltern Theater?
9
I lived in L.A. in the 1960s while attending UCLA.
All I can say is that it is too bad that these beauties are in such a big, over-amped and ugly place!
All I can say is that it is too bad that these beauties are in such a big, over-amped and ugly place!
10
I lived in New York for 15 years before moving to LA and I love how much older buildings/structures were converted or landmarked compared to New York where it seems anyone can tear down a beautiful building to put up some bland glass box.
10
Except that's not actually factual.
3
How did you miss the old Stock Exchange building on Spring Street between 5th and 6th. It's an Art Deco landmark and one of the only buildings with grand architectural finishes in its interior beyond the lobby. The grand staircase leading to the second floor trading hall is spectacular. Off of the second floor landing is beautiful small and intimate meeting room; and of course, the main trading room as a fantastic four story tall masterpiece. And, when the stock exchange moved out in the 80's they allowed the building to bed nominated for historic status so that the changes made to repurpose it for a restaurant and nightclub were done sensitively.
Also, don't miss the Bronze entrance doors. Entrance can be gained by visiting on a night when it's used for the the Exchange club.
Also, don't miss the Bronze entrance doors. Entrance can be gained by visiting on a night when it's used for the the Exchange club.
18
Many architectural treasures in Los Angeles have been demolished, and articles such as this are so important in creating public awareness. It seems that we are just now waking up to the destruction of our heritage occurring all over this city. My late mother grew up in the Bunker Hill area before it was razed in the fifties and sixties, and I remember her telling me how excited she was as a little girl when the "new" public library opened. When I walk through beautiful historic buildings I think about all who came before. By the way, a few years ago there was a huge fire at a downtown construction site near the freeway, the very ground on which my mother's childhood house had once stood. You do NOT mess with the Rosens, they have a long memory.
12
Not to be missed is the beautiful Griffith Observatory. If you find yourself in Los Angeles this is a spectacular Art Deco/Moderne building to visit. Visiting the Observatory in the early evening will give you a fabulous view of the hills surrounding Los Angeles. Stay for the sunset walks and talks and then attend a Planetarium showing.
22
If you want to see a city that has replaced gorgeous Art Deco with hideous modern skyscrapers, Minneapolis is the place for you
How the City could disfigure itself like this is beyond me
How the City could disfigure itself like this is beyond me
5
The Bullock's Wilshire Department Store, which is now SouthWestern Law School offices, is one of the most pristine and inspirational Art Deco building I have ever visited. I shopped there in the early 90s and found it a magical environment. A must see.
21
I recall in the late 70s as well the art deco I.Magnin store on Wilshire right next to the Bullocks store you mentioned. In addition across the street was the original Brown Derby restaurant.
10
In connection with the Los Angeles Central Library, mention should be made of Hartley Burr Alexander, thematic consultant for the project's decorative art. Alexander, whom Goodhue had worked with in the same capacity for the Nebraska State Capitol, planned the subject matter for the library's decorative artwork, collaborated in commissioning the project's artists, and selected or composed all the building's inscriptions. For more on the Central Library's art and architecture, see http://www.lapl.org/branches/central-library/art-architecture
A notable polymath--philosopher, playwright, poet, and ethnographer of Native American culture--Alexander taught at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln (whose Memorial Stadium bears inscriptions he authored) and then finished his career at Scripps College in Pomona.
A notable polymath--philosopher, playwright, poet, and ethnographer of Native American culture--Alexander taught at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln (whose Memorial Stadium bears inscriptions he authored) and then finished his career at Scripps College in Pomona.
8
Claremont
I have written two books about Lawrie that have garnered little attention. The first is on the sculpture of the Nebraska State Capitol, and the second is on Lawrie's sculpture at the LAPL.
Alexander was the brightest guy that ever came out of Nebraska. He also collaborated with Lawrie on the Fidelity Mutual Life Insurance Building (Now known as the Perelman Building--the annex across the street from the main Philadelphia Art Museum, and he did some consulting for the Rockefeller Center as well. Somehow, Alexander and Todd fell out, and his work was excluded from the Center.
Alexander published about 2-3 dozen books on everything from metaphysics to anthropology and mythology from around the world. He was a true genius.
Alexander was the brightest guy that ever came out of Nebraska. He also collaborated with Lawrie on the Fidelity Mutual Life Insurance Building (Now known as the Perelman Building--the annex across the street from the main Philadelphia Art Museum, and he did some consulting for the Rockefeller Center as well. Somehow, Alexander and Todd fell out, and his work was excluded from the Center.
Alexander published about 2-3 dozen books on everything from metaphysics to anthropology and mythology from around the world. He was a true genius.
Please contact me through my website. I did't know anyone else had ever even heard about Alexander, much less knew enough to praise him. find me through leelawrie.com
Nothing built in the last 25 years in Los Angeles has half the civic character as these charming, durable, and human-friendly structures. Well done with this article, I can't get enough of these photos! Wish there were more
26
I have to disagree but just a little bit. I think the Gett Center rivals anything build in L.A. It is a wonderful semipublic space. Yes you have to pay to park but otherwise it's free and it is one of the most comforting public spaces I have ever been too. And, BTW, I'm not really a fan of L.A. but I am a fan of the Getty Center. Too bad it's art collection isn't as interesting as it's buildings, gardens and open spaces
3
I agree that the Getty Center is one of the most varied and beautiful public spaces anywhere - the sunken gardens are, to me, the equal, in their own way, of the great gardens of Europe. But I disagree that the art collection isn't interesting; A) it's being added to constantly with major pieces of interest and B) if you take enough time to wander the many galleries, and if you look at them as freshly as the author of this article has at Downtown, countless treasures emerge from illuminated manuscripts to Manet. It's all in the seeing.
4
I am nuts about art deco - it really excites me; I cannot put in words how much.
Only a few days ago I explained to a friend what the Getty Center means to me - its architecture soothes and caresses me. The Getty Center alone warrants a trip to LA.
Only a few days ago I explained to a friend what the Getty Center means to me - its architecture soothes and caresses me. The Getty Center alone warrants a trip to LA.
2
Wonderful article. Thanks for writing it. Would love to see even more pictures!
13
Even though this article is about Los Angeles, fabulous examples of a couple of decades earlier, and not-quite-native to the area, Arts and Crafts Movement, can be seen in a stone throw away Pasadena.
If you are there must see things are the Greene House, designed by Green & Green, Architects, and a gem of a museum called Norton Simon.
If you are there must see things are the Greene House, designed by Green & Green, Architects, and a gem of a museum called Norton Simon.
20
The Gamble House is arguably the very best Greene & Greene design. I never tire of visiting and discovering new details.....
3
Thank you; that is indeed what the house is called, Gamble House.
The Gamble House is truly Greene & Greene or Arts & Crafts design, and a true palace. It is fantastic, but not Moderne. That said, Caltech, across town in Pasadena was designed by Goodhue, and Lawrie, who did the sculpture at the Los Angeles Public Library with Goodhue, also created the WWI Memorial Flagstaff at
W Colorado Blvd. & S Orange Grove Blvd. in Pasadena. They spent 3 years working on it, 1923-1936, during the same period that they worked on the Nebraska Capitol and the LAPL.
W Colorado Blvd. & S Orange Grove Blvd. in Pasadena. They spent 3 years working on it, 1923-1936, during the same period that they worked on the Nebraska Capitol and the LAPL.
If you have time, be sure to view the inside of the Pantages theatre on Hollywood Blvd. in Hollywood. Over the top gorgeous!
13
You left out two of my favorites: The Wiltern Theatre and the Sunset Tower Hotel. The Wiltern is one of the best smallish venues in LA for music and the Sunset Tower Hotel has a wonderful poolside brunch with great views of the west side
21
In the mid '80s the Sunset Tower was fenced off, by its then owners, and being allowed to decay -the small balconies in front and back would fill up with rain water because the drains would get clogged with debris. I knew that once the water penetrated the cement and rusted out the rebar, it would expand and crack the facade to pieces. This was something that developers counted on in those days (still?) so that a building would become unsalvageable. I 'allowed' myself in, with friends, and we would clear the drains from all the balconies and remove flammable trash from the hallways in the hopes that the building would be saved. It worked!
Also, I volunteered for L.A. Conservancy at the time and was the person who wrote most of the 'playbill' for the grand reopening of the Wiltern after the renovation was completed. Later, a good friend, Mario Tamayo, opened the Atlas Restaurant on the ground floor.
Also, I volunteered for L.A. Conservancy at the time and was the person who wrote most of the 'playbill' for the grand reopening of the Wiltern after the renovation was completed. Later, a good friend, Mario Tamayo, opened the Atlas Restaurant on the ground floor.
5
The Art-Deco period has to be my favorite.
The lines and simplicity evokes a time of style and glamour. You can easily picture the cars driving slowly down the boulevard past the amazing structures. At night, you can picture the spotlights like a movie set where women got out of those cars in fantastic gowns.
Due to the dry climate, a larger proportion of buildings survive today within the Los Angeles area. Some have been taken care of with the respect they deserve, while others have been neglected to lose some of their beauty.
I would take any of these buildings over a glass and steel box.
The lines and simplicity evokes a time of style and glamour. You can easily picture the cars driving slowly down the boulevard past the amazing structures. At night, you can picture the spotlights like a movie set where women got out of those cars in fantastic gowns.
Due to the dry climate, a larger proportion of buildings survive today within the Los Angeles area. Some have been taken care of with the respect they deserve, while others have been neglected to lose some of their beauty.
I would take any of these buildings over a glass and steel box.
28
And most have them have just been flat-out torn down because history and design has no place up against a modern ugly shopping center.
8
If you love Art Deco - you should take a tour of The Bronx if you make it to NY.
3
Numerous examples of art deco architecture architecture on Wilshire Blvd. between Fairfax and La Brea.
11
Yes, as someone who grew up in that neighborhood and later moved out of town, I have Art Deco furniture as a reminder of my childhood home.
Cafe Pinot in the courtyard aside the Central Library is a great choice for a meal - outside, sunny seating, a great Cali setting
11
True, I can't remember the quality of the food as it was a very long time ago when I dined there, but the setting is outstanding. But I'm sure the good was fine. It's rainy here today and the thought of having lunch at Cafe Pinot in sunny LA makes me smile.
A picture is worth a thousand words. Why no slide show with this interesting story?
52
You must see the Wiltern, corner of Wilshire and Western. Thus the name... www.wiltern.com
6
I was wondering why they left it out. Maybe they were concentrating on walk-ability from downtown. For all of my friends growing up in the LA area it was the easiest way to answer them when they asked 'what's Art Deco?'
3
It's probably too far for most people to want to walk, but it's a quick trip on the Purple Line if someone is downtown and wants to see the Wiltern and the old Bullocks Wilshire building (now a law school).
2
Thanks for this, I was trying to remember the name of the Bullocks' building. And I went to Law School there - Southwestern.
When I used to travel to LA on business, I'd stay at a hotel on Pershing Square and take early-morning runs around downtown. I love Art Deco and I discovered most of these buildings myself -- the Library is a special favorite. People would be surprised when I told them how much I liked the architecture in downtown Los Angeles! They had no idea all this was there.
12
Just got back from LA. I love the architecture in SoCal. We stayed in Santa Monica and both City Hall and the Georgian Hotel were Art Deco standouts for me.
11
Funny you should mention the Georgian. I never went in but always loved looking at it. When I lived out there in the 1980s (before the revitalization of the pier), it was a retirement home--seemed a little rundown but still so lovely. I used to fantasize about retiring there so I could sit on the front porch in the evening and watch the world go by. I suppose it's good that this valuable chunk of real estate is getting the recognition and income it deserves, but I'm a little sad about losing that dream.
6
"Just got back from LA. I love the architecture in SoCal. We stayed in Santa Monica and both City Hall and the Georgian Hotel were Art Deco standouts for me."
Santa Monica City Hall was designed by architect Donald D. Parkinson, who along with his father John B. Parkinson designed Union Station, the Title Guarantee and Trust Company Building (both pictured in this article), the Los Angeles Coliseum, and many many more of LA's Deco landmarks.
Santa Monica City Hall was designed by architect Donald D. Parkinson, who along with his father John B. Parkinson designed Union Station, the Title Guarantee and Trust Company Building (both pictured in this article), the Los Angeles Coliseum, and many many more of LA's Deco landmarks.
6