Historic Core of Downtown LA

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Historic Core of Downtown LA

Overview: Los Angeles is one of the most modern cities in the world. But, lest your memory lapses and your mind gets lost in Los Angeles’ modern prowess, you will be glad to know that Los Angeles does have a Historic Core in Downtown Los Angeles. Los Angeles’ Historic Core is located in central Downtown between Los Angeles St on the east, Olive St on the west, 1st St to the north and 9th St at the south.

The Historic Core of Los Angeles has seen on a boom, thriving and bustling with excitement and action. Once a foregone conclusion, the Historic Core is cashing in on new, posh tenants in fashionable lofts, new restaurants, over a dozen theatres, an emerging – if not established – art community and a slate of historic buildings, showcasing a variety of architecture. The area is clean (has been cleaned up due to aggressive revitalization efforts) and has a wonderful old-fashioned feeling which permeates the historic buildings and streets. Yet, the “old-fashioned” sense gives the Historic Core a surprising charm and all the new restaurants and entertainment venues give the area a fun and vibrant, modern feeling.

At the heart of downtown’s Historic Core is Broadway. Downtown’s Broadway is known for its numerous theatres, many of which are still active or are under renovation to bring back their former glory. The street had at one point the largest number of theatres in the nation. The theatres were lavish, expansive movie palaces designed with grandiose staircases, chandeliersa and columns. Chief among the theatres is the baroque Million Dollar Theatre (307 S Broadway, 213.617.3600), built for one million dollars in 1918 by Sid Grauman. Other famous theatres include The Orpheum (842 S Broadway, www.laorpheum.com, 213.538.3831), where Judy Garland once performed and which now has made way to television shows like American Idol, Los Angeles Theatre (615 S Broadway, www.losangelestheatre.com, 213.629.2939), which has an impressive 6 story lobby and Palace Theater (630 S Broadway, www.losangelestheatre.com, 213.629.2939), the oldest Orpheum theatre in the nation.

Theatre isn’t the only alluring spectacle of downtown’s Historic Core. Next to the Million Dollar Theatre is Grand Central Market, the oldest and largest open-air market bizaare in the nation. Close by are the Bradbury Building (304 S Broadway, 213.626.1893), the oldest commercial building in Los Angeles and a national historic landmark, Pershing Square (see Pershing Square page), founded in the 1800s and named after General John Joseph Pershing in 1918, the Angels Flight Railway (see Angels Flight Railway page), the world’s shortest railway, Broadway Department Store (401 S Broadway), built in 1913 and the grand Los Angeles Central Library (630 W 5th St, www.lapl.org/central, 213.228.7000).

Dowtown L.A.’s Historic Core offers a wealth for all your senses. Take a couple of days to discover for yourself.

Website: www.historicdowntownla.com

Cost: Free, depending on what you do and see

Accessibility: The Historic Core of Los Angeles is wheelchair accessible, complete with elevators are the various sights and/or ramps.

Getting There: www.ladottransit.com, www.metro.net