Gazing up at the Fine Arts Building, it’s hard not to be transported back to the Roaring Twenties. This Los Angeles landmark stands as a testament to the city’s emergence as a modern metropolis. The Fine Arts Building has been a mainstay in Los Angeles since it opened its doors on December 8, 1926.
Albert R. Walker and Percy A. Eisen designed this architectural gem. They are the same dynamic duo behind the Oviatt Building and the Beverly-Wilshire Hotel. At twelve stories high, it was the tallest a building could legally be at the time. It was designed specifically as studio and gallery space for local artists.
Walker and Eisen wanted to celebrate the art culture of Los Angeles. They hired many local artists to create standout elements. Sculptor Burt Johnson created the nude statues on the building’s facade. He even used his own children as models for a lobby statue. Pasadena tilemaker Ernest A. Batchelder and painter Anthony B. Heisenbergen also contributed. The Fine Arts Building is a masterwork of Romanesque Revival. It is a designated Historical Cultural landmark.
In its early days, The Fine Arts Building was a hub for the Roaring 20s lifestyle. There was creation and merriment. The silent film industry was booming. The Fine Arts Building represented the growth of Los Angeles. It showed Los Angeles becoming a city as auspicious as those in the East. The building housed galleries and luxury shops. It hosted galas and meetings for artistic groups. Avant-garde performances also took place here.
Unfortunately, the Great Depression struck. Artists suffered greatly. Art and craftsmanship became luxuries few could afford. Many original tenants could no longer afford to operate from The Fine Arts Building. Instead, the building became home to more standard commercial enterprises. These included oil, real estate, and medical offices.
Oil wildcatter Russel E. Havenstrite used a penthouse to throw private parties for California elites. The building was even renamed after him. Within ten years of opening, The Fine Arts Building was a shadow of its former self. The building passed through many hands. It underwent extensive remodeling in the decades that followed. The early 1970s were perhaps the darkest period. This was just before it was declared a Historic Cultural Landmark in 1974.
In 1983, the historic building was faithfully restored. The firm responsible also refurbished the Oviatt Building, Bradbury Building, and Wiltern Theatre. Brenda Levin led Ratkovich, Bowers, and Perez. They recovered the original glamor and opulence of The Fine Arts Building.
Since then, The Fine Arts Building has slowly returned to its roots. It is again a space for showcasing local talent. Today, much of the building is dedicated to office space. This includes a large WeWork coworking space. The ground floor hosts restaurants.
The Fine Arts Building lobby welcomes you with majestic marble floors. Ceilings are adorned with intricate murals that celebrate the arts. Corridors are lined with sculptures and paintings. Each is carefully curated to complement the architectural elements. The two-storey interior lobby is set in large wall arches. A large balcony-type gallery is above. Spaces are designed for artists’ studios. A shallow pool adorned with bronze sculptures reflects light.
The Fine Arts Building is more than just a structure. It is a living piece of Los Angeles history. It stands as a junction between history and the present day. All one has to do is step inside.