I don’t know exactly when this photo of the Los Angeles Times building, corner of 1st and Spring in downtown L.A. was taken. That tower in the background to the right is the microwave tower atop the AT&T Madison Complex Tandem Office on Grand Ave. It opened in 1961 so I’m guessing this photo is circa 1960s. But in a way, I think a photo like this is almost timeless, the way the city bathed in a black-and-white dusk.
David G says: “I think it’s indeed the late 1960s, because by the early 1970s the sign at the lower left read “Security-Pacific Bank” due to a merger-acquisition.”
Robert K says: “I have always loved the Pacific Bell tower (as I remember it) It looked amazing at night when cruising around Bunker Hill in my stroller in the early 60s. You could see the lights all over the downtown area then, not that many, but they really stood out. Richfield building tower, edison building, a giant red Pegusas, KKRD towers with blue globes. The area had magical views then for a toddler coming home from the library at dusk, I always tried to get Mom to stop at the Pershing Square fountain so I could see the colored lights in it. Didn’t know it was opened in 61, I was born at Queen of Angels in 1960, but lived on the hill until they forced us out circa 1962. Oh, and the Christmas shopping on Broadway and the daily trips on Angels Flight to Grand Central.”
I like the look of architectural confidence the building has. The publishers knew they were heavyweights in Los Angeles and not afraid to show it.
I’m working on a project memorialize California’s history and the impact of its unparalleled creative forces on the world of today and would like to see a structure built that would express the same sentiment.
Let’s hope the LA Times building survives its current threat of demolition.