Los Angeles stands as a vibrant city where architectural innovation meets rich cultural history. Known for its diverse skyline, LA offers a unique blend of styles from historic missions to modern masterpieces.
Visitors and locals alike are drawn to its iconic structures that tell stories of the city’s evolution and creativity.
Among these landmarks, some buildings have become symbols of Los Angeles itself. From the striking design of the Walt Disney Concert Hall to the historic charm of Union Station, these sites showcase the city’s architectural excellence.
Exploring these famous buildings provides a glimpse into LA’s dynamic spirit and artistic heritage, making them must-see destinations for anyone wanting to experience the heart of the City of Angels.
1. Walt Disney Concert Hall
The Walt Disney Concert Hall stands as a stunning architectural achievement in downtown Los Angeles. Designed by Frank Gehry, its curved steel exterior features signature metallic surfaces that captivate visitors.
Opened in 2003, the hall offers state-of-the-art acoustics and seating tailored for the LA Philharmonic.
Located within the LA Music Center alongside the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Ahmanson Theater, and Mark Taper Forum, it symbolizes LA’s modern cultural identity.
Visitors can tour the Music Center or attend concerts to experience this iconic venue firsthand.
2. Bradbury Building
Built in 1893, the Bradbury Building stands as downtown Los Angeles’s oldest commercial landmark.
Its Romanesque exterior gives little clue to the stunning Victorian atrium inside, which rises nearly 50 feet with open cage elevators, marble stairs, and ornate iron railings.
Designed by George H. Wyman and Sumner P. Hunt, its light-filled court has made it a popular filming location for over eight feature films, including Blade Runner (1982) and The Artist (2011).
The building’s complete 1990s restoration preserved its architectural brilliance, securing its status as a National Historic Landmark and a must-see piece of LA’s architectural heritage.
3. Getty Center
The Getty Center, designed by architect Richard Meier and completed in 1997, stands on one of Los Angeles’s highest hilltops, offering panoramic views of the city and the Pacific Ocean.
This sprawling complex blends modern architecture with natural landscapes, divided by two ridges that separate galleries from administrative spaces.
Its sleek design features travertine stone and glass, creating a bright, open environment that houses the Getty Museum’s impressive art collection and beautifully manicured gardens.
The center’s integration with its surroundings makes it a must-see landmark reflecting LA’s cultural and architectural innovation.
4. Griffith Observatory
The Griffith Observatory stands as an iconic Los Angeles landmark on Mount Lee, offering breathtaking views of the city and the Hollywood Sign. Built in 1935 during the Great Depression, it cost just $400,000, with architects John C.
Austin and Frederick M. Ashley sourcing local materials and labor to boost the economy. As one of the world’s earliest observatories and planetariums, it remains a cultural and scientific hub featured in films like Rebel Without a Cause and Charlie’s Angels.
Its Art Deco design and dedication to public astronomy make it a must-see for visitors exploring LA’s architectural heritage.
5. Capitol Records Building
Standing at 13 stories, the Capitol Records Building is a striking circular tower north of Hollywood and Vine, completed in 1956 by architect Welton Becket.
Its unique design resembles a stack of vinyl records, symbolizing its deep ties to the music industry. Serving as Capitol Records’ headquarters, it has been a recording site for legends like The Beatles and Frank Sinatra.
Positioned at 1750 Vine Street, this landmark is close to the Hollywood Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre, making it a must-see for visitors appreciating Los Angeles’ architectural innovation and cultural history.
6. Los Angeles City Hall
Standing tall since 1928, Los Angeles City Hall showcases Art Deco elegance with its sleek white concrete facade and symmetrical design.
Designed by Austin, Parkinson, and Martin, it features a grand courtyard and a tiled rotunda on the third floor.
Visitors can explore docent-led tours and enjoy panoramic city views from the 27th-floor observation deck.
Despite nearby skyscrapers, it remains a striking symbol of LA’s history, government, and civic pride, framed by soaring palm trees and American flags that highlight its timeless authority.
7. Theme Building
The Theme Building at Los Angeles International Airport stands out with its iconic futuristic design. Completed in 1961, it epitomizes the Space Age architectural style popular in mid-century LA.
Its distinctive flying-saucer shape is supported by four curved legs, creating a striking silhouette against the sky.
This landmark symbolizes LA’s forward-looking spirit and innovation in design, making it a must-see for architecture enthusiasts visiting the city.
The building also houses a restaurant offering panoramic airport views, blending function with its captivating form.
8. Eastern Columbia Building
Standing out in Downtown Los Angeles, the Eastern Columbia Building is a prime example of Art Deco architecture.
Designed by Claud Beelman and completed in 1930, its striking teal terra cotta exterior features golden chevrons, sunbursts, a towering clock, and a neon “Eastern” sign.
This iconic building has been lovingly restored and now houses upscale lofts and ground-floor retail, making it a centerpiece of the rapidly gentrifying Broadway district. Its vivid colors and ornamental details make it one of LA’s most photographed historic landmarks.
9. Union Station (Los Angeles)
Union Station stands as one of Los Angeles’ architectural jewels, blending Mission Revival, Art Deco, and Spanish Colonial styles. Completed in 1939, it’s hailed as one of America’s last great train stations.
Located downtown, it serves as a transit hub and a cultural landmark. Its elegant arcades, tile work, and grand waiting room make it a favorite for architecture tours and film shoots.
Union Station’s unique design reflects LA’s historic roots while supporting its modern transit needs.
10. Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
Located downtown, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels opened in 2002 and quickly became a modern landmark.
Designed by Spanish architect José Rafael Moneo, its contemporary geometric structure features an angel theme throughout. Inside, visitors find stunning mosaics, tapestries, paintings, and statues that create a serene atmosphere.
The cathedral houses a spacious nave, a mausoleum, gift shop, cafeteria, and conference center. Open daily from 6:30 am to 6 pm, it stands as a symbol of Los Angeles’s architectural innovation and spiritual heritage.
Alicia Richards