Step back in time to the golden age of entertainment with a stroll through the Broadway Historic Theatre District in Downtown Los Angeles. This vibrant stretch of Broadway is a hub for history buffs with it’s architectural beauty, cultural significance, and a slice of L.A.’s storied past. With opulent theaters, vintage storefronts, and revitalized urban spaces, this walking tour is a great way to bring back the nostalgia of downtown L.A.
To Get There
The Los Angeles Conservancy, a nonprofit devoted to preserving and celebrating L.A.’s historic architecture and cultural heritage, offers incredible tours. We joined the Broadway Historic Theatre District Walking Tour, where knowledgeable guides shared fascinating insights into the history of the district’s magnificent theaters during an engaging three-hour journey.
Broadway Historic Theatre District Walking Tour
This tour’s itinerary may vary depending on theater availability for entry. We got to go inside three theaters on our tour and see the facades of several others. The theaters we went inside were the Los Angeles Theater, Tower Theater (open to public), and The United Theater on Broadway.
Los Angeles Central Library
The Broadway Historic Theatre District tour meets to begin the walk at the stunning Los Angeles Central Library in downtown. Designed by architect Bertram Goodhue, the library is a stunning blend of art deco and ancient Egyptian revival styles, creating a unique and captivating facade. It’s a great place to start the tour, another slice of L.A. history.
Roxie Theater
First on this tour we passed The Roxie Theatre, the last theatre to open on Broadway in 1931 and is the only Art Deco-style theatre in the area. Designed by architect John M. Cooper, the theatre was initially a glamorous movie palace with stylish Art Deco features. Sadly it was abandoned and you can see it’s in pretty bad shape. Efforts to preserve and restore it are ongoing, with hopes of revitalizing the space, though it remains a challenging project due to the building’s deterioration over the years.
If you want to see what this Palace theater looks like on the inside, visit Los Angeles Theaters blog. This site has several interesting photos of what these theaters used to look like in the past and today.
The Los Angeles Theatre
We were able to head inside to explore The Los Angeles Theatre, the crown jewel of the Broadway District, opened in 1931 as the most extravagant of the movie palaces designed by S. Charles Lee. Its French Baroque interiors, modeled after the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles, feature crystal chandeliers, marble, gold leaf, and silk damask wall coverings. It’s amazing to see this kind of European architecture in the middle of downtown L.A.
Insider Tip: Check for special events or movie screenings to experience this space as it was originally intended.
With a 2,000-seat capacity, the theatre included amenities such as a children’s playroom, a smoking room, and even soundproof “crying rooms” for mothers. The theatre premiered Charlie Chaplin’s City Lights on January 30, 1931, with Chaplin helping finance its completion. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and designated a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument.
Palace Theater
The Palace Theatre, opened on June 26, 1911, was the third Los Angeles venue of the Orpheum Vaudeville circuit and is the oldest remaining Orpheum theatre in the U.S. Designed by G. Albert Lansburgh in a Florentine Renaissance style, it featured almost 2,000 seats and lavish décor in shades of gold, pink, and blue, with marble walls and mosaic tiles. Originally known as the Orpheum, it became the Broadway Palace Theatre in 1926 and transitioned to a silent movie house before adding sound. It was designated a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 1989.
Tower Theater
Opened in 1927, the Tower Theatre was architect S. Charles Lee’s first design and the first in L.A. wired for sound, hosting a preview of The Jazz Singer, the groundbreaking film that ushered in the era of “talkies.” Its “modified French Renaissance” style combines French, Spanish, Moorish, and Italian influences in terra-cotta details. Designated a Historic-Cultural Monument in 1989, the theater was transformed into a flagship Apple Store in 2018.
Apple went to great lengths to preserve Tower Theaters architectural legacy. The project, completed in collaboration with Foster + Partners, restored the ornate Renaissance Revival details, including the terra-cotta exterior, a grand entry arch, and the iconic stained-glass window. Inside, the building’s breathtaking vaulted ceiling, wood paneling, and elaborate murals were meticulously repaired and enhanced. This was quite an expensive undertaking, it makes me happy to see what they’ve accomplished in the name of preservation.
Orpheum Theater
Opened in 1926, the Orpheum Theatre has hosted legendary performers like Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, and Aretha Franklin, as well as iconic rock and jazz acts. Designed by G. Albert Lansberg in a Beaux Arts style, it features a 1928 Mighty Wurlitzer organ, one of the few remaining in Southern California. The beautifully restored venue still hosts live performances and frequently serves as a film location. We were only able to see this theater facade on the tour.
The United Theater on Broadway
Located at Broadway and 9th Street, the Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles was originally built in 1927 as the United Artists Building, featuring a stunning Spanish Gothic design inspired by Segovia Cathedral. Its 1,600-seat United Artists Theatre, designed by Anthony B. Heinsbergen, boasts murals celebrating the film industry and a dazzling crystal-studded dome. This is one of the more actively used modern theaters, where I’ve attended both a design conference and several concerts. We were able to head inside and tour this theater.
Additional Tips
Here are some things to keep in mind for the Broadway Historic Theatre District tour.
- Wear comfortable shoes: The tour covers about 6 blocks in approximately 3 hours, but you’ll want to linger at each stop.
- Guided vs. Self-Guided Tours: While self-guiding is fun, joining a guided tour can provide deeper insights into the district’s history.
- Best Time to Visit: Early mornings or late afternoons are ideal to avoid crowds and enjoy cooler weather.
- Be mindful of your surroundings: While downtown L.A. has experienced revitalization, it’s still important to stay alert as you may encounter individuals facing mental health challenges.
Exploring the Broadway Historic Theatre District offers a fascinating glimpse into Los Angeles’ vibrant cultural and architectural history. Each theatre tells a unique story of the city’s entertainment legacy, from vaudeville to silent films to modern-day performances. Whether you’re a history buff, architecture enthusiast, or simply curious, this walking tour brings the grandeur of L.A.’s golden age to life, making it an unforgettable experience.
Love historic architecture? Check out my post Tour the Architecture of Historic Downtown Los Angeles