Wow. Look at that building. The Petersen Automotive Museum. Isn’t it stunning?
This isn’t just any car museum. It’s a testament to automotive history and artistry. It began on June 11 1994. Robert E Petersen and his wife Margie founded it. They poured $40 million into their dream. It started within the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Later it found a permanent home in a former department store. That building a historic landmark designed by Welton Becket opened in 1962. It briefly housed a Seibu Department Store. Then it became Ohrbach’s from 1965 to 1986. Mr. Petersen chose this location. It was largely windowless. This was perfect for protecting the cars from sunlight.
But the Petersen Automotive Museum’s story isn’t just about cars. Tragically the building witnessed a pivotal event in history. On March 9 1997 the Notorious B.I.G. was murdered outside. He had attended a party here earlier that night.
The museum underwent a huge transformation. In 2014 and 2015 a $125 million renovation took place. Kohn Pedersen Fox redesigned the facade. The result? A spectacular stainless-steel ribbon design. It’s made of 100 tons of steel. It features 308 sections 25 supports and an astonishing 140000 custom screws. The interior was reimagined too. New themes and exhibits were created. The designers at The Scenic Route worked hard. They collaborated with Matt Kirchman of ObjectIDEA Planning and Design.
Today the Petersen Automotive Museum houses over 100 vehicles. They are displayed across 25 galleries. A vast collection waits in a basement vault. Accessing this special collection requires an additional fee. The ground floor showcases artistry. The second floor dives into the industry. The third floor explores the history of the automobile particularly Southern California’s car culture. It even displays cars from famous movies like the Batmobile and Herbie the Love Bug. You’ll find a 1956 Jaguar XKSS owned by Steve McQueen. A DeLorean time machine from Back to the Future is here too. There’s even Luke Skywalker’s landspeeder. The museum even has a Popemobile.
The Petersen Automotive Museum is more than a collection of cars. It’s a living museum. It tells a story of innovation design and cultural impact. It’s a place where history and Hollywood collide. It’s a place that has seen both the glamour of celebrity and the tragedy of violence. It’s a place where you can experience the thrill of driving simulators and explore the evolution of automotive design. It is truly a must-see destination. Enjoy your visit to this remarkable piece of Los Angeles history.