Theme Building under construction at Los Angeles International Airport, circa early 1960s

Theme Building under construction at Los Angeles International Airport, circa early 1960sLos 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.

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15 responses to “Theme Building under construction at Los Angeles International Airport, circa early 1960s”

  1. roger j boddaert says:

    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.

  2. Chris k says:

    Would of been great if restaurant was still open.

  3. Richard E. Fulwiler says:

    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.

  4. Richard E. Fulwiler says:

    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.

  5. Gordon Sims says:

    it’s unique

  6. Matt Cairns says:

    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.

  7. Matt says:

    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.

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