The main thing that will catch your eye once up step inside the Bradbury Building in Downtown Los Angeles is the glass ceiling. Inside this building is a lobby that is truly unlike any other spot in LA. The building, commissioned by Lewis L. Bradbury, was built in 1893. Nowadays, this is still a building that thrives with several businesses occupying the space. And it has even been listed as a National Historic Place.
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Because of its unique appearance, this building has been used in movies like The Blade Runner and 500 Days of Summer. In the original Blade Runner, this was the toymakers’ house. There’s a plaque in the lobby with information about how the building was used in Blade Runner. This is the office building where Joseph Gordon Levitt has his big interview in the final scene of 500 Days of Summer. However, the very first on-screen appearance was in 1942 in the movie China Girl.
You can step inside the building but since it is a working location you will only be granted access to the lobby and the first level landing area. It is free to go inside. The Bradbury Building is located on the corner of 3rd Street and Broadway. You are able to visit Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 6:00pm and Saturday – Sunday, 9:00:am – 5:00pm.
Across the street, you’ll find the Million Dollar Theatre which opened in 1918 and still shows movies occasionally throughout the year. Some of the movie screening series that host movie nights include Last Remaining Seats and Street Food Cinema. This theatre is also used in 500 Days of Summer. This is where Summer and Tom see The Graduate.
Also, across the street from the Bradbury Building is Grand Central Market a food hall that is a staple in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles.
Angels Flight is another wonderful place to check out within walking distance from the Bradbury.
