The burnished splendor of Art Deco. The clean grace of Modernism. When it comes to architecture, our city is a wonderland

Los Angeles has always been a city of whimsy and experimentation. Ours is a landscape dotted with fantastical castles built by dreamers who moved west. And have you seen the mid-century modern homes scattered among the hills? (Show of hands, who’s just here for the mid-century modern stuff?) Not to mention we’re home to world class architects and contemporary innovators cooking up solutions to the problems of homelessness and urbanization. Granted, there’s aprox. a billion more incredible buildings here that could have made this list, but hey, we’re finite people in an infinitely fascinating city, and we had to start somewhere. So without further ado, and in no particular order…

1. Walt Disney Concert Hall

Architect: Frank Gehry

Completed: 2003

A photo posted by Mike Gilbert (@magilbe2) on Feb 7, 2017 at 10:48am PST

One of the many reasons Frank Gehry is considered the world’s greatest living architect.

2. Saint Basil Catholic Church

Architect: A.C. Martin

Completed: 1969

A photo posted by Darren Bradley (@modarchitecture) on Dec 31, 2016 at 3:01pm PST

Despite being a paradigm of brutalist architecture, the building—with its angular concrete columns and aggressive stained glass windows—makes for an unexpectedly serene sacred space.

3. Emerson College



Architect: Morphosis

Completed: 2014

A photo posted by Ivan Priatman (@ivanpriatman) on Jan 14, 2017 at 5:04pm PST

A box of dorms hidden behind a metal scrim encloses a hive of classrooms and offices—all brought to you by Thom Mayne’s Morphosis Architects. No matter how nicely you ask, the security guard won’t let you inside.

4. Pico House

Architect: Ezra F. Kysor

Completed: 1869

A photo posted by Amanda Holzhauer (@mirageandlight) on Dec 28, 2016 at 3:05pm PST

Pío Pico was the last Mexican governor of California, and the hotel he ordered to be built in 1869 was the finest in Los Angeles. It’s now a historic landmark on Olvera Street.

5. Pacific Design Center

Architect: Cesar Pelli

Completed: 2013

A photo posted by Christopher Helkey (@christopherhelkey) on Jan 28, 2017 at 9:16pm PST

Pet project of world class architect Cesar Pelli, the buildings bring some bold color to West Hollywood.

6. Wilshire Grand

Architect: AC Martin

Not yet completed

A photo posted by Los Angeles Aerial Photography (@copterpilot) on Sep 30, 2016 at 6:22am PDT



The new tallest building in Los Angeles (if you count that spire).

7. LACMA

A photo posted by Notnobel (@notnobel) on Jul 9, 2016 at 5:08pm PDT

The mismatched collection of galleries has been through plenty of updates to William Pereira’s original design—including work by contemporary “starchitect” Renzo Piano—but Bruce Goff’s whimsical, right angle-devoid Pavilion for Japanese Art is the most unique.

8. Coca-Cola Building

Architect: Robert V. Derrah

Completed: 1939

A photo posted by Charles Phoenix (@_charlesphoenix) on Jun 15, 2016 at 5:14pm PDT

It’s designed in the Streamline Moderne style and is intended to look like a ship—complete with portholes, catwalk, and bridge.

9. Westin Bonaventure

Architect: John C. Portman, Jr.

Completed: 1976

A photo posted by Hans (@hansparent) on Jan 28, 2017 at 3:01am PST

The actual future doesn’t deserve this gloriously futuristic 1970s hotel.

10. Sinai Temple

Architect: Sidney Eisenshtat

Completed: 1960

A photo posted by Mike Holz (@mikeholzarchitect) on Mar 16, 2016 at 6:40am PDT

Eisenshtat’s Expressionist temple was built to house Southern California’s first conservative Jewish congregation.

11. Getty Center

Architect: Richard Meier

Completed: 1997

A photo posted by Katy O’Reilly (@thepoetoaster11) on Feb 7, 2017 at 1:36pm PST



The cream-colored stone (16,000 tons of Italian travertine, to be specific) that encrusts the exterior of Richard Meier’s modern masterwork glows beautifully in the Los Angeles dusk.

12. Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

Architect: John and Donald Parkinson

Completed: 1923

A photo posted by Viviana (@vivcall) on Feb 5, 2017 at 8:37am PST

USC’s first football game here was on October 6, 1923 (they beat Pomona 27-3). The stadium has since hosted two Olympics, two Super Bowls, and one World Series.

13. Gamble House

Architect: Greene and Greene

Completed: 1908

A photo posted by visitcalifornia (@visitcalifornia) on May 16, 2016 at 7:01am PDT

Brothers Charles and Henry Greene, masters of the Craftsman style, designed this classic Pasadena bungalow with its Southern California setting in mind, and yes there are multiple “sleeping porches.”

14. Los Angeles Times Building

Architect: Gordon B. Kaufmann

Completed: 1935

A photo posted by Urbanize.LA (@urbanize.la) on Dec 9, 2016 at 12:46pm PST

Kaufmann, the guy who designed the Hoover Dam, won a gold medal at the 1937 Paris Exposition for the Times building, which includes a gilded lobby with a massive globe that’s open to the public.

15. Magic Castle

Architect: Lyman Farwell and Oliver Dennis

Completed: 1909

A photo posted by Mimi (@mimiyavi) on Feb 7, 2017 at 8:37am PST

The victorian mansion looms over Franklin Avenue and has served as home base for an exclusive society of magicians since 1963.

16. Randy’s Donuts

Architect: Henry Goodwin

Completed: 1953

A photo posted by EricaMacori (@minona4ever) on Feb 5, 2017 at 3:10pm PST

For a while there, L.A. was really into that whole building-shaped-like-a-giant-food-item thing.

17. Norms La Cienega

Architect: Armet & Davis, interior by Helen Fong

Completed: 1957

A photo posted by Architecturelover (@architectureluvr) on Jan 12, 2017 at 10:00pm PST

In the late ’50s, Los Angeles was the place for the funky, space-age Googie style exemplified by this Armet & Davis-designed coffee shop.

18. Parker Center

Architect: Welton Becket

Completed: 1955

A photo posted by (@irosnerak) on Jan 16, 2016 at 6:34pm PST

Though the building is currently facing demolition, it was designed by Welton Becket in the International Style in 1955 as a symbolic step into the modern world for the historically corrupt LAPD. The department moved into their new DTLA headquarters in 2009.

19. Cinerama Dome

Architect: Welton Becket

Completed: 1963

A photo posted by Paul Farmer (@paulfarmerartist) on Jan 16, 2017 at 8:53am PST

Employing visionary Buckminster Fuller’s geodesic dome design, the theater is now part of the Arclight Hollywood.

20. Phineas Banning House

Architect: Phineas Banning

Completed 1863

A photo posted by Victor Atomic (@victoratomic) on Aug 15, 2016 at 3:21pm PDT

In the mid-1800s, when everyone else around him lived in adobe haciendas, Banning (the guy who built L.A.’s first railroad) constructed himself a Greek Revival mansion. It’s now a museum.

21. Hollyhock House

Architect: Frank Lloyd Wright

Completed: 1921

A photo posted by Jazzper Elijah (@jazzperelijah) on Jan 29, 2017 at 4:07pm PST

Conceived as part of an arts complex for oil heiress Aline Barnsdale, it’s the only Frank Lloyd Wright house in L.A. that offers interior tours, and it’s unique for its temple-like layout and abstracted hollyhock motif.

22. Los Angeles City Hall

Architect: John Parkinson and John C. Austin

Completed: 1928

A photo posted by Tamás Schöberl (@schoeberlt) on Feb 7, 2017 at 12:32pm PST

Designed in a style dubbed “Modern American” by one of its architects, it was meant to be a synthesis of multiple styles (though it largely falls under the Art Deco umbrella).

23. Capitol Records

Architect: Welton Becket

Completed: 1956

A photo posted by Los Angeles (@toplosangelesphoto) on Feb 7, 2017 at 6:10am PST



The single best thing about driving on the 101 is that moment when the Capitol Records building comes into view with its dramatic spire (that red light at the tip constantly blinks out H-O-L-L-Y-W-O-O-D in Morse code).

24. Pantages Theater

Architect: B. Marcus Priteca

Completed: 1930

A photo posted by ABC7 Southern California (@abc7la) on Feb 7, 2017 at 10:09pm PST

This lustrous Art Deco gem pulls all the stops—zigzags, starbursts (the design, not the candy), gold and silver adornments, and deco chandeliers. Howard Hughes owned it for a spell, and it played host to the Academy Awards all through ’50s.

25. Pann’s

Architect: Armet & Davis, interior by Helen Fong

Completed: 1958

A photo posted by We Are the Next (@next_nonprofit) on Jan 14, 2017 at 9:34am PST

With its eye-catching neon sign, floor-to-ceiling glass windows, flagstone walls, and one hell of a roofline, this is the purest of Googie.

26. The Forum

Architect: Charles Luckman Associates

Completed: 1967

A photo posted by The Forum (@theforum) on Feb 1, 2017 at 5:30pm PST

Fabulous.

27. San Gabriel Mission

A photo posted by Karla Delgado Photographer (@karlasphotographs) on Jan 27, 2017 at 2:25pm PST



In 1771 Spanish Franciscans founded the fourth of California’s 21 missions. Refer to the nearest fourth-grader for additional information.

28. Los Angeles Theater

Architect: S. Charles Lee

Completed: 1931

A photo posted by Aaron Baker (@aaron_k_baker) on Feb 2, 2017 at 1:46pm PST

Look, if we could fit every theater on Broadway into this list, we would, because they’re all sumptuous and wonderful (and if you ever get a chance to see a show inside, jump on it), but since the Los Angeles Theater is undoubtedly the most opulent, it gets the top spot.

29. Avila Adobe

Architect: Francisco Avila

Completed: 1818

A photo posted by Chad Kim (@picturinglaoc) on Mar 8, 2016 at 8:15am PST

Though it may not be the oldest building in Los Angeles (that one earned a spot on our greatest hidden gems list), the Olvera Street landmark is perfectly emblematic of the first houses built here by Spanish settlers.

30. Beverly Hills Hotel

Architect: Elmer Grey, with an expansion by Paul R. Williams in the 1940s

Completed: 1912

A photo posted by Live. Love. Travel. (@wwwedaways) on Feb 7, 2017 at 10:25am PST

Elizabeth Taylor spent six of her eight honeymoons in Bungalow 5 at the pink palace.

31. Bullocks Wilshire

Architect: John and Donald B. Parkinson

Completed: 1929

A photo posted by Patrick McGowan (@mcgowanjpatrick) on Aug 9, 2016 at 4:24pm PDT

An absolute paradigm of Art Deco design, the building housed the nation’s first car-centric department store (there were huge display windows in front, and a ton of parking out back).

32. Case Study House #22

Architect: Pierre Koenig

Completed: 1959

A post shared by @columninches on Jun 1, 2017 at 3:02am PDT

This is the iconic mid-century modern home, boasting matchless views over the city through its glass walls. If you do any architectural house tour in Los Angeles, make it this one.

33. Pasadena City Hall

Architect: John Bakewell and Arthur Brown, Jr.

Completed: 1927

A photo posted by Liahn Hayul Park (@liahn.park) on Feb 7, 2017 at 1:45pm PST



The Mediterranean-style monument has graced the city of Pasadena for 80 years and your Instagram feed for at least five.

34. Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels

Architect: José Rafael Moneo

Completed: 2002

A photo posted by @_losangelesphotography_ on Feb 5, 2017 at 9:49am PST



Spanish architect José Rafael Moneo eschews tradition for a deconstructivist church designed to be reflective of the city’s diversity.

35. Los Angeles Central Library

Architect: Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue

Completed: 1926

A photo posted by Megan Jicha (@meganjicha) on Feb 2, 2017 at 5:53pm PST

Every world class city needs at least one vaguely Egypt-themed library, right?

36. Chemosphere

Architect: John Lautner

Completed: 1960

A photo posted by Daily Architectural History (@arch_history) on Jan 25, 2016 at 12:44pm PST

It’s for sure a UFO.

37. Griffith Observatory

Architect: John C. Austin and Frederick M. Ashley

Completed: 1935

A photo posted by Sam Goetz (@goetzamuel) on Feb 7, 2017 at 6:13pm PST

Griffith J. Griffith may have shot his wife in the face (she somehow survived), but that didn’t stop the city from accepting his gift of a beautiful public observatory with his name on it.

38. Covina Bowl

Architect: Powers, Daly, & DeRosa

Completed: 1956

A photo posted by @opticgroove on Feb 7, 2017 at 8:26am PST

Pretty much indisputably the world’s most glorious mid-century bowling alley.

39. Department of Water and Power Building

Architect: A.C. Martin

Completed: 1965

A photo posted by Habitus Real Estate (@habitusrealestate) on Feb 1, 2017 at 11:52pm PST

If you’re downtown at night, there’s nothing more serene than a walk around the rectangular pool surrounding the LADWP headquarters.

40. Eastern Columbia

Architect: Claud Beelman

Completed: 1930

A photo posted by Bob Phibbs (@bobphibbs) on Jan 6, 2017 at 3:29pm PST

Another of the city’s finest examples of the Art Deco style, its turquoise terra cotta exterior and neon-lit clocktower make it an unmissable downtown landmark.

41. Ennis House

Architect: Frank Lloyd Wright

Completed: 1925

A photo posted by Bryant (@_brytality) on Feb 28, 2016 at 8:03am PST

Frank Lloyd Wright’s most impressive “textile-block” house was built with more than 27,000 patterned concrete blocks. It’s one of the finest examples of Mayan Revival architecture out there.

42. Schindler House

Architect: Rudolf Schindler

Completed: 1922

A photo posted by kessler (@kessler) on Dec 28, 2016 at 9:24pm PST



Designed by Schindler in early ’20s to be an experiment in shared living (he and his wife Pauline shared it with another couple), the residence basically set the stage for Southern California modernism.

43. Burbank Bob’s Big Boy

Architect: Wayne McAllister

Completed: 1949

A photo posted by Angelica (@kabuki16photography) on Jan 11, 2017 at 7:57pm PST



This Wayne McAllister-designed monument to double-decker hamburgers is the oldest remaining Big Boy restaurant.

44. Sheats Goldstein Residence

Architect: John Lautner

Completed: 1963

A photo posted by Filming Locations (@filming.locations) on Jan 31, 2017 at 10:44am PST

John Lautner’s incredible concrete and glass masterpiece (you remember it from The Big Lebowski) is owned by basketball superfan James Goldstein, who recently donated the house to LACMA.

45. Saint Vibiana’s

Architect: Ezra F. Kysor

Completed: 1876

A post shared by Jason Rhee 🎭👰🏼🎉👨🏻‍💻📋🥃 (@jasonroars) on May 14, 2018 at 8:42pm PDT

Designed by the same architect who built Pico house, the cathedral was vacated by the Archdiocese after the Northridge quake, but was saved by preservationists. It now functions as an event space and houses the restaurant Redbird.

46. LAX Theme Building

Architect: Paul Williams, William Pereira, and Welton Becket

Completed: 1961

A photo posted by Sean (@tiki_room_lb) on Aug 18, 2015 at 8:26am PDT

The space age was a great age.

47. US Bank Tower

Architect: Pei Cobb Freed & Partners

Completed: 1989

A photo posted by Los Angeles Aerial Photography (@losangelesaerial) on Nov 8, 2015 at 10:26pm PST

Though it’s now the West Coast’s second-tallest building, it still boasts the highest observation deck.

48. Lovell House

Architect: Richard Neutra

Completed: 1929

A photo posted by Montse Tanús (@ladidot) on Jun 4, 2016 at 12:03pm PDT

Built into the side of a cliff in Los Feliz, this is first steel frame house in the United States and widely considered one of the most important homes of the 20th century.

49. Boyle Hotel

Architect: W.R. Norton

Completed: 1889

A photo posted by Esotouric bus adventures (@esotouric) on Sep 26, 2015 at 4:16pm PDT

Mariachi musicians used to pack out the hotel and then perform in the plaza (now Mariachi Plaza) across the street. And yeah, we can all agree that more buildings should have a Queen Anne-style turret like this one.

50. Bradbury Building

Architect: Sumner P. Hunt and George H. Wyman

Completed: 1893

A photo posted by David Scharschmidt (@davidschar) on Feb 3, 2017 at 10:11am PST

The glass ceiling, Victorian court, and ornate wrought iron railings within downtown treasure were inspired by the utopian sci-fi novel, Looking Backward, which explains why the building shows up so much in Blade Runner.

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