Photography by Stephanie Plomarity
Opened 1893, the Bradbury Building is Los Angeles’ oldest landmarked building. Located in downtown L.A. near the Grand Central Market, within the modest Romanesque exterior, there lies a magical light-filled Victorian court that rises almost fifty feet with open cage elevators, ornate iron railings, glazed and unglazed yellow and pink bricks, and marble stairs.
Top Downtown L.A. Tours
For a deeper understanding of Downtown L.A., taking a guided tour is a fantastic way to gain historical insights while exploring old buildings like the Bradbury Building. Here are a few that are highly rated on Get Your Guide.
- Downtown Los Angeles: Food, Arts and Culture Walking Tour
- The History and Architecture of Downtown LA
- Los Angeles: Downtown Historic Highlights Bike Tour
You can also consider purchasing the book Secret Walks (Amazon), which offers several downtown strolls for exploring the architecture of Downtown L.A.
History
The building was commissioned by Los Angeles gold-mining millionaire Lewis L. Bradbury.
Currently the LAPD has a 50-year lease on this space. Even so, it’s open for tourists to walk in and see for free, but you can only go up to the first landing. If you book a tour you can get further access.
The Bradbury Building is so stunning, many films and TV shows have featured the space. Some notable movies are Blade Runner, 500 Days of Summer, and Mission: Impossible.
The Bradbury building is right next to Grand Central Market, a highlight in downtown to get some delicious cuisine.