The Wonderful Landmarks of DTLA!
L.A. has a history that is rich in architecture, with Art Deco buildings designed in the 1920s being the norm. Two main events contributed to LA’s massive growth: the discovery of oil in the 1890s and the completion of the Los Angeles Aqueduct in 1913, which delivered water to the city from Eastern California. The city is now home to over 4 million people (the second largest city in the U.S.) and everyday there’s an influx of people from all over the world who want to live in a place where the people are beautiful and the sun always shines. I’ve spent a lot of time visiting DTLA (Downtown Los Angeles) and all the cityscape has to offer. Although many new buildings are popping up on every corner, there are still some buildings that have stood the test of time. In this article, I wanted to explore some of the oldest architectural buildings in Downtown, many that tell stories and serve as a commonplace for people to come together, as well as some of the newer ones: The Walt Disney Concert Hall, The Grand Central Market, The Bradbury Building and the Ahmanson Theater, just to name a few. All of these amazing buildings are beautifully designed and are landmarks in a city that banks itself on being brand new historically-speaking.
The Walt Disney Concert Hall- one of the more newer buildings on the block, Frank Gehry designed this masterpiece in 2003. It serves as the home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and and seats 2,265 people. Such an exquisite structure and one of my favorites in Downtown!
2. The Grand Central Market- located in the Homer Laughlin building, this market is the oldest public market in the city. There are so many amazing vendors located in the market including Eggslut, McConnells Ice Cream, The Juice Bros, and Olio Wood Fired Pizzeria. The iconic food market has garnered much acclaim including being one of the “Hot 10” restaurants nationwide by Bon Appetit Magazine in 2014.
3. The Bradbury Building- being that it’s almost Halloween, I wanted to venture into one of the oldest buildings in Downtown, The Bradbury Building. It is located at 304 S. Broadway Street and was built in 1893. It has an extraordinary atrium composed of skyways and stairs, and the design is very ornate. It is one of my favorite buildings ever and it has been featured in many films including, “500 Days of Summer” and “The Artist.”
4. The Ahmanson Theater- one of the four main venues that comprise the Los Angeles Music Center. It has the largest theatrical season-ticket subscription base on the West Coast. The season begins in early fall and lasts through late summer. Right now, you can go see one of my favorite musicals, “Dear Evan Hansen” there! Get your tickets here!