Broadway: Historic Theater and Commercial District
The Broadway Historic Theatre and Commercial District tour explores the social, cinematic, and architectural history of this unique street.
Home to an astonishing twelve movie palaces built between 1910 and 1931, and to nearly two dozen major department and clothing stores, Broadway was once the entertainment epicenter of Los Angeles. Although the theatres no longer regularly show films (special event venue, filming location, and retail are among the current uses), their elegant presence remains. Still a vibrant shopping street, the area is also a hub of adaptive reuse projects that have turned office buildings and department stores into loft-style apartments and condos.
Places to Visit:
(note: buildings are listed by their original or common names, which is not necessarily their current name or usage)
Million Dollar Theatre*
Bradbury Building*
Broadway Department Store
Roxie Theatre
Clune’s Broadway Theatre*
Pantages Broadway Theatre
Walter P Story Building*
Palace Theatre
Clifton’s Cafeteria*
Los Angeles Theatre
Loew’s State Theatre*
Morosco Theatre
Tower Theatre
Rialto Theatre
Hamburgers/May Co Department Store
Orpheum Theatre*
Eastern Columbia Department Store
Pantages Downtown *
(*Interiors visited, subject to availability)
Tour Organizer: The Los Angeles Conservancy – (213) 623-2489 – info@laconservancy.org
Tour Schedule: Every Saturday
Start time: 10:00 am
Length: about 3 hours
Distance covered: About 1-3/4 miles total walking
Meeting Location: Reservations are required for this tour. Meeting and parking information will be provided with your reservation confirmation.
