The Million Dollar Theater
On my recent trip to Los Angeles I walked the historic downtown area – a fascinating neighborhood packed with interesting old buildings that tell the history of Los Angeles from 1890’s to the present.
I was surprised to learn that there is a huge theater district built mostly in the 1920s and 30s and it contains the largest concentration of theaters located within on city block in the nation. Take a walk down Broadway St. – from beaux arts to art deco, it’s an architects dream come true.
The whole area was once the center of art and culture in Los Angeles, but was mostly abandoned by the 1990’s. However there is a movement to revitalize the area, and funding has been approved to install a downtown streetcar. There are rumours of big name retailers like Urban Outfitters moving into the area as well. Many of the buildings are already being converted into lofts, however there are still a lot of buildings that look only partially refurbished – it looks like a very long term project.
Detail, Million Dollar Theater
A great place to start your walk is at the corner of Broadway and 3rd. On one side is the Million Dollar Theater and the Grand Central Market, and across the street is the famous Bradbury Building. The Bradbury is the oldest commercial building in Los Angeles, and it is working building so you can only visit the first floor. The beautiful French wrought iron, five story atrium, and wood and terra cotta details of the interior, were inspired by a futuristic novel from 1887 called, “Looking Backward,” by Edward Bellamy. Interesting anecdote, parts of the building were used in the science fiction film, Blade Runner.
Interior: The Bradbury Building
Adjacent to the Million Dollar Theater is Grand Central Market, the oldest open air market in Los Angeles and it’s still a hopping place. You can find everything from tacos to fresh fruit smoothies here.
Grand Central Market
Walk through Grand Central Market to the other side and across the street you will see the world’s shortest railroad, the Angel’s Flight funicular built in 1901. Ride it to the top for just 50 cents and experience a bit of L.A. history.
Angels Flight
Go back to Broadway to continue your tour of the amazing theater district.
The Los Angeles Theater was built in 1931 at a cost of 2,000,000 dollars! The owner went in the hole pretty quickly and Fox took over the theater until the 1980’s. Check out this link for photographs of the interior which is magnificent!
The Tower Theater
The Palace Theater
The Palace Theater was built in 1911 and was one of the first of the Orpheum Vaudeville Theaters.
There are many other buildings of historical significance aside from the theaters. If you can plan in advance (I did not), the Los Angeles Conservancy offers tours of the various neighborhoods and styles of architecture for only $10.00. Some include the interiors which I’d love to see!
The Chester Williams Building
For more information on theater district visit Bringing Back Broadway
All materials ©PennySadler 2013
Adventures of a Carry-on 
Love the old theaters! We have several in San Antonio that are still in operation and the ornate beauty is just marvelous.
Hey Tin Man, how are things in SA? I went to one of those old theaters once, near the Riverwalk, can’t remember the name, but it was really beautiful. Take some pics! 🙂
As often as I’ve visited Southern California, I’ve never seen this historic side of LA. Thanks for sharing!
That’s great Sandra. Glad I was able to share something new. 🙂
Oh, interesting! I love LA, if you dig deeply it’s definitely not the cultural wasteland that everyone thinks it is…
You don’t really have to dig that deep. There’s plenty of culture in LA. It’s one of the oldest cities in the US!
love these photos!
Great post and photos. A perfect example of why cities need to protect their heritage.
Great set of photos. Just goes to show how important it is for “newer” cities to protect their history. It might not be as old as things in other cities around the world but it’s still fascinating and full of history.
Thanks Paul. I’m always amazed at what I find, even in Dallas. It’s great when it’s all concentrated in a small area like this though.
It’s also very close to Union Station and Olvera St. Lots of history to visit in lA.
Wonderful to see that these old gems still exist, especially in Southern California, where so much is brand new!
I know you have an art deco theaters board on Pinterest – next time you’re in LA I think this is a must do for you. 🙂
Great pictures! I never really thought about doing this kind of tour in LA. I was more focussed on star spotting!
Haha. You know I’ve never seen a “star” in LA aside from the ones on Hollywood Blvd. 🙂
Love the architecture and embellishments. Bet they are gorgeous inside to. Really brings back the romance of the times they were built.
I lived in California for about 4 years but never ventured to such amazing places and historic treasures. Now you inspired me to go back…even for a week of Summer break. Thanks. Awesome post!
LA has a lot to offer that seems to go unnoticed!
I’m really looking forward to the day I make it to Los Angeles. I love to see Art Deco pieces of which I’ve not seen enough to date.
Especially going to try the Art Deco tour that you pointed out, such a shame you didn’t get to.
The good news is, I go to LA often so I can do it next time. 🙂
You take some really amazing pictures 🙂
Managed to see a few of these places last time I was in L.A. and this post is really making me want to go back!
What a nice comment. Thank you! I want to go back too and visit the interiors. I’d also like to take the tour with the LA Conservancy.