Los Angeles has more than its fair share of iconic buildings (L.A. City Hall, Capitol Records, Griffith Observatory, Disney Concert Hall, Grauman’s Chinese, Hollywood Bowl, to name a few) but there is nothing like the Theme Building that stands in the middle of L.A. International Airport. Work started on this striking building in 1957 and by the time this photo was shot, it unique form had taken shape, so I’m guessing the date is 1960 or ‘61. I also love how the street lamps were laid out in preparation for them being hoisted into place. It makes for such a dramatic photo.
The Theme Building is still there, but unfortunately the fabulous Encounter restaurant is no longer open. The last time I checked, it is now an observation deck open on the weekends. This image is from January 2018.
I WORKED FOR THE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT WHO DID THE LANDSCAPE DESIGN FOR THE L.A.X. NEW AIRPORT. MY JOB WAS TO LOCATE IN SOUTHERN CA. THE SPECIMEN BOXED TREES TO BE PLANTED AROUND THE THEME BUILDING BACK IN THE EARLY 60’S.
BEFORE THE NEW AIRPORT, MY DAD WAS THE CATERING MANAGER AT CHASEN’S RESTAURANT IN BEVERLY HILLS WHO SUPPLIED THE FOOD FOR T.W.A. AIRLINES.
Would of been great if restaurant was still open.
I believe you may be correct with the photo’s date as being 1960 or ’61, though with the support scaffolding in place, I would favor 1959 or ’60. The photo’s view is from the west side of the ‘ Theme Building ‘ looking NNE.
My Dad as a Pacific Telephone engineer, he managed the installation of the first ESS ( Electronic Switching System ) in Los Angeles at the W. 96th Street office, west of Sepulveda Blvd., dedicated to support the telephone needs of the expanded terminal facilities. Later, Dad flew Continental Airlines ” Golden Jet ” service out of the then completed LAX terminal area, flying back to Chicago and Bell Labs to participate in a telephone switching system design project in mid-’61. This is why the dates I gave would suggest a shift of those you gave.
I need to edit my last input. The January 2018 is looking ENE from the west side of the ‘ Theme Building ‘, where the construction photo is from the north-side loop looking NSE. The new control tower’s vertical lines can be seen under the bottom left ( north ) arc of the Theme Building’s supports.
it’s unique
THE OLD L.A.RESTAURANT& BAR AT THE AIRPORT WAS MIKE LYMANS PRE-THE-NEW L.A.X. OF THE 60’s
Look back to this extensive conversation regarding the Flightdeck Restaurant and Rocket Room . . .
https://martinturnbull.com/2014/10/21/mike-lymans-flight-deck-rocket-room-los-angeles-international-airport/
The observation deck is located on top of the Theme Building. There are even 4 free telescopes. I’m not sure if it’s currently open. It was definitely closed during Covid.
Thanks, Matt. I might check it out the next time I’m at LAX.
As a kid, saw this place from its late ’60s “Playboy Club in the Sky” prime through its mid ’70s decline. Can’t believe no one’s mentioned the restaurants’ unique original feature – the place revolved! Of the maybe dozen times I’ve been there, recall the restaurant only revolved twice. Rotation was slow so patrons didn’t get “sea sick”. The mechanics needed to maintain must have been a nightmare.
I did some research on that and the consensus seemed to be that the restaurant never revolved. So are you *sure* it did?
Absolutely positive. Know it’s become an “urban myth” to think it ever rotated. I wouldn’t believe it if I hadn’t experienced it.
It’s sort of like the long gone “The Luau” restaurant in Bevery Hills. Lot stood over 3 underground rivers with half the main dining room a lake with little concrete bridges to “island” dining tables. Never read about these features when the much-missed restaurant is mentioned.
Visited the Laua in Hollywood, with Maj-Tais long ago.
A variation of Trader Vics at the Hilton Hotel,
They used to float fresh gardenia flowers in their Maj-Tais….aromatic drink to savor
Was beginning to believe an alternate reality was playing out, with me knowing the place once rotated & no-one confirming it… Low & behold, a “gold standard”, the DWP, came through:
https://waterandpower.org/Museum2/Theme_Building_LAX.html
Skimming thru found following pics was going to use for my argument the place rotated. Shows restaurant windows glass “unattached” from structural roof, inside & out.
https://waterandpower.org/E%20Historic%20Photos%20E/Theme_Building.jpg
https://waterandpower.org/B%20Historic%20Photos%20B/Theme_Restaurant.jpg
Just below above photos found:
“Historical Notes
Originally the the restaurant rotated slowly giving the visitors a 360-degree dining experience, however, it is now stationary.
The Encounter Restaurant closed for business in December 2013 with no future plans to reopen, although the building’s observation level is still open on weekends.”
Not always right, but sure try to be.
Really like the late ’60s “LA Boosterism” as exemplified by:
architectural drawing from 1961
https://www.atomic-ranch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/download-1-e1572025887360.jpeg
Thanks for that great research, Matt. And congrats on not going bonkers. I sure know how that feels!