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City of Angels

Los Angeles architecture

The original Spanish name for Los Angeles was 63 characters long: 'El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles de Porciúncula.' Today, it is a global entertainment capital where the historic Hollywood sign overlooks a sprawling metropolis of 88 distinct incorporated cities.

  • 15Landmarks
  • 1893Oldest · The Bradbury Building
  • 335 mTallest · Wilshire Grand Center
  • 15Architects

Before you go

  • Fly intoLos Angeles Int'l (LAX)

    The airport is anchored by the iconic 'Theme Building,' a Space-Age mid-century landmark that looks like a landed UFO on four concrete legs. LAX is currently undergoing a massive multi-billion dollar modernization project that includes a new automated people mover to connect travelers to the metro rail.

  • CurrencyUS Dollar ($)
  • LanguageEnglish & Spanish

    Los Angeles is a massive multicultural melting pot where 'Valley' slang, entertainment industry shorthand, and Spanish loanwords frequently intermingle. It is a city where conversations are as likely to revolve around film production as they are to be held in a mix of English and various Asian or Latin American languages.

  • Getting aroundLA Metro

    The A Line is now the longest light rail line in the world, stretching from Long Beach to Azusa. Metrolink provides regional heavy rail service that reaches out to six different Southern California counties. The iconic Angels Flight funicular is the world's shortest railway and serves the steep Bunker Hill district.

15 landmarks in Los Angeles

  1. Walt Disney Concert Hall

    111 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012

    A landmark of contemporary architecture, this building is clad in matte-finish stainless steel panels that curve and billow like sails. The auditorium interior is designed to feel like a wooden ship with a massive pipe organ resembling a bundle of french fries. It is globally recognized for its acoustic perfection and its role in revitalizing Downtown Los Angeles. Visitors can explore the hidden rooftop garden which offers a quiet escape from the urban bustle. The structure remains one of the most photographed examples of deconstructivism in the world.

    Built
    2003
    Architect
    Frank Gehry
    Style
    Deconstructivism
    Height
    50 m (164 ft)
    Stories
    4
    Today
    Concert Hall
  2. Apple Tower Theatre
    Photo: Succubussy, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Apple Tower Theatre

    802 South Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014

    This project is a meticulous restoration of Los Angeles' first cinema designed specifically for talkie movies. The renovation included seismic strengthening and the full reconstruction of a long-lost exterior clock tower. Original terra-cotta, marble, and decorative plaster were carefully cataloged and restored to their 1927 glory. The central dome features a stunning new fresco of the California sky that illuminates the interior. Today, the theater’s balcony serves as the Genius Level, overlooking a modern retail forum located under the restored proscenium arch.

    Built
    1927
    Architect
    S. Charles Lee / Foster + Partners
    Style
    Renaissance Revival
    Height
    25 m (82 ft)
    Stories
    3
    Today
    Retail / Event Space
  3. Griffith Observatory
    Photo: Matthew Field, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

    Griffith Observatory

    2800 East Observatory Road, Los Angeles, CA 90027

    Perched on the slope of Mount Hollywood, this building is a blend of Greek and Beaux-Arts styles with Art Deco touches. It features three distinctive copper-clad domes and offers panoramic views of the Hollywood Sign and the Pacific Ocean. The interior contains the famous Foucault pendulum which visually demonstrates the Earth's constant rotation. It has served as a key filming location for Hollywood classics like Rebel Without a Cause. Since its opening in 1935, it has remained one of the most popular public observatories in the United States.

    Built
    1935
    Architect
    John C. Austin & Frederick M. Ashley
    Style
    Art Deco / Egyptian Revival
    Height
    47 m (154 ft)
    Stories
    3
    Today
    Observatory / Museum
  4. The Bradbury Building
    Photo: Carol M. Highsmith, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    The Bradbury Building

    304 South Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013

    As the oldest commercial building in the central city, its unassuming brick exterior hides one of the most beautiful interiors in California. It features a stunning five-story central court illuminated by a massive overhead skylight. The space is famous for its open-cage elevators, marble stairs, and intricate wrought-iron railings. It is considered a masterpiece of Victorian design and was famously used as a futuristic set in the film Blade Runner. The building continues to house active offices while remaining a mandatory stop for architectural tourists.

    Built
    1893
    Architect
    George Wyman
    Style
    Victorian / Romanesque
    Height
    22 m (72 ft)
    Stories
    5
    Today
    Office / LAPD Internal Affairs
  5. Theme Building (LAX)
    Photo: monkeytime | brachiator, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Theme Building (LAX)

    201 World Way, Los Angeles, CA 90045

    An icon of Mid-Century Modern Googie architecture, this structure resembles a four-legged UFO that has just landed. It was built as the ambitious centerpiece of the jet-age expansion for Los Angeles International Airport. The dramatic arches are constructed of steel-reinforced concrete that support a suspended observation level. The building originally housed a revolving restaurant that offered guests a 360-degree view of the busy runways. It was designated as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 1993 to preserve its unique space-age silhouette.

    Built
    1961
    Architect
    Pereira & Luckman / Paul R. Williams
    Style
    Googie
    Height
    24 m (79 ft)
    Stories
    2
    Today
    Event Space / Landmark
  6. Hollyhock House
    Photo: Teemu008 from Palatine, Illinois, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Hollyhock House

    4800 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90027

    This UNESCO World Heritage site represents Frank Lloyd Wright’s first significant commission in the city of Los Angeles. The design utilizes a transitional style called California Romanza which features heavy, sloped walls and cast-concrete floral motifs. The house is centered around a courtyard to blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living spaces. This layout acted as an important precursor to the modern California lifestyle and open-plan architecture. Today it serves as a public museum and a centerpiece for the Barnsdall Art Park.

    Built
    1921
    Architect
    Frank Lloyd Wright
    Style
    Mayan Revival / Modernism
    Height
    12 m (39 ft)
    Stories
    2
    Today
    Museum / Public Park
  7. The Getty Center
    Photo: Jelson25, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    The Getty Center

    1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90049

    This massive campus of travertine-clad buildings overlooks the Santa Monica Mountains from a prominent hilltop. The architecture is a study in light and grid-based design, utilizing over 1.2 million square feet of Italian stone. The complex is designed to feel like an Italian hill town, featuring circular galleries and peaceful gardens. A central stream acts as a natural cooling system for the outdoor plazas and walkways. It serves as one of the world's most influential centers for art research and public exhibition.

    Built
    1997
    Architect
    Richard Meier
    Style
    Modernist
    Height
    30 m (98 ft)
    Stories
    4
    Today
    Art Museum
  8. Wilshire Grand Center
    Photo: Alek Leckszas, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Wilshire Grand Center

    900 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90017

    This skyscraper stands as the tallest building in the United States west of the Mississippi River. It is the first major Los Angeles tower to feature a curved, sloping roof instead of a flat helipad design. Its glass 'sail' shape is topped with a massive LED spine that displays digital art across the city. The building serves as a luxury hotel and premium office space in the heart of the Financial District. Its innovative structural design was engineered to withstand significant seismic activity while maintaining a slender profile.

    Built
    2017
    Architect
    AC Martin Partners
    Style
    Contemporary / Postmodern
    Height
    335 m (1,099 ft)
    Stories
    73
    Today
    Hotel / Office
  9. Eastern Columbia Building
    Photo: Galkab, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Eastern Columbia Building

    849 South Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014

    Often called the 'Jewel of Downtown,' this Art Deco skyscraper is clad in brilliant turquoise terra cotta. The exterior is trimmed with gold leaf and deep blue accents to create a striking visual presence. It features a prominent four-sided clock tower that has become a landmark of the Broadway corridor. Originally a department store, it is now one of the city's most prestigious residential loft addresses. The structure remains a prime example of the Zigzag Moderne style that defined 1930s Los Angeles.

    Built
    1930
    Architect
    Claud Beelman
    Style
    Art Deco / Zigzag Moderne
    Height
    80 m (262 ft)
    Stories
    13
    Today
    Luxury Lofts
  10. Stahl House (Case Study House #22)
    Photo: Ovs at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    Stahl House (Case Study House #22)

    1635 Woods Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90069

    This minimalist glass-and-steel box appears to float over the glowing lights of the Los Angeles basin. Built as part of the Case Study House program, it demonstrated modern materials for post-war living. It is one of the most famous houses in history, representing the ultimate dream of Hollywood Hills luxury. The L-shaped plan wraps around a swimming pool that cantilevers over a steep hillside precipice. It continues to inspire architects globally as a masterwork of Mid-Century Modern residential design.

    Built
    1960
    Architect
    Pierre Koenig
    Style
    Mid-Century Modern
    Height
    4 m (13 ft)
    Stories
    1
    Today
    Private Residence / Landmark
  11. Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
    Photo: Downtowngal, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

    6067 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036

    This complex blends the historic 1939 May Company department store with a massive new glass-and-concrete sphere. The 'Sphere Building' houses a 1,000-seat theater and is topped by a terrace with Hollywood Hill views. Advanced engineering was utilized to 'float' the sphere above the ground on massive seismic base isolators. The interior galleries showcase the history, technology, and social impact of global cinema. It serves as a major cultural anchor on the Miracle Mile, celebrating the art of filmmaking.

    Built
    2021
    Architect
    Renzo Piano
    Style
    Contemporary / High-Tech
    Height
    45 m (148 ft)
    Stories
    6
    Today
    Film Museum
  12. Union Station
    Photo: Basil D Soufi, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Union Station

    800 North Alameda Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

    Known as the 'Last of the Great Railway Stations,' this terminal is a gateway to the American West. Its architecture is a stunning blend of Spanish Colonial Revival and Art Deco motifs. The interior features massive leather club chairs, terracotta tiled floors, and enclosed garden courtyards. The soaring ceilings and hand-painted wood beams have made it a favorite backdrop for Hollywood noir films. It continues to serve as the main transit hub connecting the entire Southern California region.

    Built
    1939
    Architect
    John and Donald Parkinson
    Style
    Mission Revival / Art Deco
    Height
    38 m (125 ft)
    Stories
    2
    Today
    Transit Hub
  13. Capitol Records Building
    Photo: Downtowngal, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Capitol Records Building

    1750 Vine Street, Los Angeles, CA 90028

    This is the world's first circular office building, designed to resemble a stack of vinyl records. A red light at the peak blinks the word 'Hollywood' in Morse code for the city. Below ground, it houses legendary echo chambers used by artists from Frank Sinatra to The Beatles. The spire on top completes the silhouette, resembling the needle of a classic record player. It remains one of the most recognizable icons of the Hollywood skyline and the music industry.

    Built
    1956
    Architect
    Welton Becket
    Style
    Mid-Century Modern
    Height
    46 m (151 ft)
    Stories
    13
    Today
    Recording Studio / Office
  14. Chiat/Day 'Binoculars' Building
    Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Chiat/Day 'Binoculars' Building

    340 Main Street, Venice, CA 90291

    This whimsical masterpiece of Postmodernism is located in the coastal neighborhood of Venice. The building is split into three distinct styles, including a forest of copper-clad columns. Its most famous feature is the massive black binoculars that serve as the entrance to the garage. It represents the quirky, artistic spirit of the California tech and advertising boom of the 1990s. The structure now serves as an office for Google, maintaining its legacy of creative innovation.

    Built
    1991
    Architect
    Frank Gehry
    Style
    Postmodern
    Height
    22 m (72 ft)
    Stories
    3
    Today
    Google Office

  15. Apple The Grove

    189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90036

    This project is a stunning example of transparent retail architecture in a popular outdoor mall. The store features a massive 60-foot glass facade with two giant doors that slide open completely. Inside, a mirrored ceiling creates a sense of infinite height and reflects the activity below. A lush indoor forest of ficus trees reflects the surrounding outdoor California landscape. It is considered a masterpiece of light, air, and minimalist engineering within a commercial setting.

    Built
    2021
    Architect
    Foster + Partners
    Style
    Contemporary / Glass Minimalism
    Height
    18 m (59 ft)
    Stories
    2
    Today
    Retail

More cities in North America

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