The history of architecture in Los Angeles is a testament to the city’s rich cultural heritage and its constant evolution as a hub of innovation and creativity. Beginning with the Spanish Mission-style buildings of the late 18th century, Los Angeles has seen a diverse array of architectural styles throughout its history.
As the city grew in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, architects began experimenting with new styles such as Beaux-Arts, Art Deco, and Hollywood Regency. In the post-World War II era, the International Style became a dominant influence, emphasizing functionalism and minimalism.
In the 1960s and 1970s, a new architectural style emerged in Los Angeles called Googie, characterized by futuristic designs and the use of new materials. In recent years, sustainable design and green architecture have become a focus for many architects in the city.
Today, Los Angeles is home to a wide variety of architectural styles and structures, from historic landmarks like the Griffith Observatory and Union Station to contemporary masterpieces such as the Walt Disney Concert Hall (pictured) and the Broad Museum.
Throughout its history, Los Angeles has remained at the forefront of architectural innovation, with its diverse cultural influences and willingness to embrace new ideas and technologies. As the city continues to grow and evolve, its architectural landscape is sure to remain a vibrant and exciting reflection of its rich cultural heritage and forward-looking spirit.
Below is the MUST-SEE Architecture in Los Angeles. I hope you find it useful as you drive its busy streets (there’s a map at the bottom to guide you around). If you want to see your photo featured, hashtag #AVONTUURA on Instagram and I will try my best to include it.
Onwards!
Contemporary Architecture
Walt Disney Concert Hall
Visiting Information
Architect: Frank Gehry
Built: 2003
Type: Concert Hall
Address: 111 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012, USA
Open to the Public: Yes
Cost: Free hourly tours
Website: www.laphil.com/
Caltrans District 7 Headquarters
Visiting Information
Architect: Morphosis
Built: 2004
Type: Civic (Department of Transportation)
Address: 100 S Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, USA
Open to the Public: No
The Getty Center
Visiting Information
Architect: Richard Meier
Built: 1997
Type: Museum
Address: 1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049, USA
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Daily: 11:00am – 5:30pm (9:00pm on Saturdays). Closed Mondays
Cost: Free
Website: www.getty.edu/visit/center/
Star Apartments
Visiting Information
Architect: Michael Maltzan
Built: 2014
Type: Social Hosuing
Address: 240 E 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014, USA
Open to the Public: No
Website: skidrow.org
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
Visiting Information
Architect: José Rafael Moneo
Built: 2002
Type: Cathedral
Address: 555 W Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, USA
Open to the Public: Yes
Website: www.olacathedral.org/
Pacific Design Center
Visiting Information
Architect: César Pelli
Built: 1975 (Blue Building), 1988 (Green Building), 2012 (Red Building)
Type: Office, Restaurant, Theater
Address: 8687 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069, USA
Open to the Public: Yes
Website: www.pacificdesigncenter.com/
Hayden Tract, Culver City
Visiting Information
Architect: Eric Owen Moss
Built: 1998
Type: Congress Center, Office
Address: National Boulevard 8522, Culver City, California, 90016, USA
Open to the Public: No
Modern Architecture
Eames’s Case Study House #8
Visiting Information
Architect: Charles Eames, Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen
Built: 1949
Type: Private residence
Address: 203 N. Chautauqua Blvd. Pacific Palisades, California
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Daily: 10:00am – 4:00pm (Closed Wednesdays & Sundays)
Cost: $10 (Exterior), $275 (Interior, 1-2 people)
Website: eamesfoundation.org/visit/how-to-visit/
Hollyhock House
Visiting Information
Architect: Frank Lloyd Wright
Built: 1921
Type: Private residence, now a museum
Address: 4800 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Thursday – Sunday: 11:00am – 4:00pm
Cost: $7
Website: barnsdall.org/hollyhock-house/
Ennis House
Visting Information
Architect: Frank Lloyd Wright
Built: 1924
Type: Private residence
Address: 2607 Glendower Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
Open to the Public: Unknown
Website: ennishouse.com/
Lovell House
Visting Information
Architect: Richard Neutra
Built: 1929
Type: Private residence, now a museum
Address: 4616 Dundee Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
Open to the Public: Unknown
The Stahl House (Case Study #22)
Visting Information
Architect: Pierre Koenig
Built: 1960
Type: Private residence
Address: 1635 Woods Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90069, USA
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Friday: 5:00pm – 6:00pm, Wednesday & Saturday 3:00pm – 8:30pm
Cost: $60 (1 person / 1 car), $35 each for 2 persons or more (1 car)
Website: stahlhouse.com/tours/
Watts Towers
Visting Information
Architect: Simon Rodia
Built: 1954
Type: Monuments
Address: 1765 E 107th St, Los Angeles, CA 90002, USA
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Thursday – Sunday: 10:30am – 3:00pm (12:30pm opening on Sunday)
Cost: $7
Website: www.wattstowers.org/tours
Wayfarers Chapel
Visting Information
Architect: Lloyd Wright
Built: 1951
Type: Chapel
Address: 5755 Palos Verdes Dr S, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, USA
Open to the Public: Yes
Website: www.wayfarerschapel.org/
Historic Architecture
Griffith Observatory
Visting Information
Architect: John C. Austin, Frederick M. Ashley
Built: 1935
Type: Observatory
Address: 2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Daily: 12:00pm – 10:00pm, opens at 10:00am on Saturday & Sunday (Closed Mondays).
Cost: Free
Website: www.griffithobservatory.org/
The Bradbury Building
Visting Information
Architect: Sumner Hunt, George H. Wyman
Built: 1893
Type: Commercial
Address: 304 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013, USA
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Daily: 9:00am – 5:00pm
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We do our best to provide accurate and up-to-date information, locations, and opening hours whenever possible. We recommend that you double-check any information that you may need to ensure your visit is a success.
Architect: Lloyd Wright
Built: 1951
Type: Chapel
Address: 5755 Palos Verdes Dr S, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, USA
Open to the Public: Yes
Website: www.wayfarerschapel.org/
Architect: Simon Rodia
Built: 1954
Type: Monuments
Address: 1765 E 107th St, Los Angeles, CA 90002, USA
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Thursday - Sunday: 10:30am - 3:00pm (12:30pm opening on Sunday)
Cost: $7
Website: www.wattstowers.org/tours
Architect: Sumner Hunt, George H. Wyman
Built: 1893
Type: Commercial
Address: 304 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013, USA
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Daily: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Architect: Pierre Koenig
Built: 1960
Type: Private residence
Address: 1635 Woods Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90069, USA
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Friday: 5:00pm - 6:00pm, Wednesday & Saturday 3:00pm - 8:30pm
Cost: $60 (1 person / 1 car), $35 each for 2 persons or more (1 car)
Website: stahlhouse.com/tours/
Architect: Richard Neutra
Built: 1929
Type: Private residence, now a museum
Address: 4616 Dundee Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
Open to the Public: Unknown
Architect: Frank Lloyd Wright
Built: 1924
Type: Private residence
Address: 2607 Glendower Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
Open to the Public: Unknown
Website: ennishouse.com/
Architect: Frank Lloyd Wright
Built: 1921
Type: Private residence, now a museum
Address: 4800 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Thursday - Sunday: 11:00am - 4:00pm
Cost: $7
Website: barnsdall.org/hollyhock-house/
Architect: Charles Eames, Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen
Built: 1949
Type: Private residence
Address: 203 N. Chautauqua Blvd. Pacific Palisades, California
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Daily: 10:00am - 4:00pm (Closed Wednesdays & Sundays)
Cost: $10 (Exterior), $275 (Interior, 1-2 people)
Website: eamesfoundation.org/visit/how-to-visit/
Architect: Eric Owen Moss
Built: 1998
Type: Congress Center, Office
Address: National Boulevard 8522, Culver City, California, 90016, USA
Open to the Public: No
Architect: César Pelli
Built: 1975 (Blue Building), 1988 (Green Building), 2012 (Red Building)
Type: Office, Restaurant, Theater
Address: 8687 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069, USA
Open to the Public: Yes
Website: www.pacificdesigncenter.com/
Architect: John C. Austin, Frederick M. Ashley
Built: 1935
Type: Observatory
Address: 2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Daily: 12:00pm - 10:00pm, opens at 10:00am on Saturday & Sunday (Closed Mondays).
Cost: Free
Website: www.griffithobservatory.org/
Architect: José Rafael Moneo
Built: 2002
Type: Cathedral
Address: 555 W Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, USA
Open to the Public: Yes
Website: www.olacathedral.org/
Architect: Richard Meier
Built: 1997
Type: Museum
Address: 1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049, USA
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Daily: 11:00am - 5:30pm (9:00pm on Saturdays). Closed Mondays
Cost: Free
Website: www.getty.edu/visit/center/
Architect: Morphosis
Built: 2004
Type: Civic (Department of Transportation)
Address: 100 S Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, USA
Open to the Public: No
Architect: Frank Gehry
Built: 2003
Type: Concert Hall
Address: 111 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012, USA
Open to the Public: Yes
Cost: Free hourly tours
Website: www.laphil.com/
