Fine Arts Building (Los Angeles) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fine Arts Building |
|
|---|---|
Fine Arts Building Los Angeles
|
|
| Location | 811 West 7th Street, Los Angeles |
| Built | 1927 |
| Architectural style(s) | Romanesque Revival |
| Designated | April 17, 1974 |
| Reference no. | 125 |
The Fine Arts Building is a famous old building in Downtown Los Angeles, California. You can find it at 811 West 7th Street. People also call it the Global Marine House. It became a special historic place in 1974.
Building Design
Famous architects Albert Raymond Walker and Percy Augustus Eisen designed this building in 1927. It's a tall, 12-story building shaped like the letter "H." The outside is covered with smooth, light-colored stone.
Outside Look
The front of the building, called the façade, is very striking. The first three floors have a unique shape. The building's front is split into three main parts, just like old Renaissance palaces in Italy. The part closest to the street has the most detailed design.
The main entrance is right in the middle of the front. It has a large, rounded arch that goes up two stories high. This deep entryway has a curved top decorated with plant designs. On each side, there are many arches resting on small columns and pillars. These pillars are decorated with cool creatures and geometric patterns. The wall under the big arch is covered with detailed designs of leaves and circles that look like rope. A green marble column splits the entrance into two smaller arches.
The top three floors also look like old temples or churches. They have double rows of arches with spiral columns. The tops of the columns, called capitals, are decorated with leaves. The center of the arches has small animal heads. A special triangular space, called a tympanum, sits at the very top. It has tiny decorations and large sculptures.
Inside the Building
The main lobby inside is two stories tall. It has big arches on the walls, with smaller arches below them. Above, there's a large balcony that looks like a gallery. These spaces were made for artists' studios. In the middle of the lobby, there's a shallow pool with bronze sculptures by Burt Johnson. The pool reflects light, making the lobby feel bright.
The lobby walls are decorated with ceramic panels and small sculptures. There are also seventeen glass display cases with fancy bronze frames. These cases now show paintings, sculptures, and other artworks made by the people who work in the building.
History of the Building
A rich oilman named Russell E. Havenstrite used to own a fancy apartment at the top of the building. In June 2012, a company called Sorgente Group of America bought the Fine Arts Building.
You might have seen this building in the movie (500) Days of Summer. In the film, the main character, who wants to be an architect, says it's his favorite building.
In recent years, the lobby has also been used to show art in galleries.
Gallery
-
Façade on West 7th Street, Los Angeles
-
Main entrance on West 7th Street, Los Angeles
-
Lobby
-
Interior
-
Interior, ceiling
-
Interior, elevators
-
Lobby sculptures and pool
-
Architecture, façade sculpture at 4th floor, left side
-
Sculpture, façade sculpture at 4th floor, right side
-
Façade bas relief at top, left side
-
Façade bas relief at top, right side
