Why Downtown Los Angeles’s Architecture Is So Diverse | Walking Tour | Architectural Digest

Today AD welcomes back architect Valery Augustin for a walking tour of Downtown Los Angeles, exploring its diverse architectural design. From Spanish Colonial and 1930s art deco to postmodern deconstructivism, Downtown Los Angeles has become a playground for design, boasting a wide variety of architectural styles spanning centuries-discover the history of this diverse district through Valéry Augustin’s expert eye.
Director: Hiatt Woods
Director of Photography: Grant Bell
Editor: J.Y. Chun
Host: Valery Augustin
Producer: Skylar Economy
Line Producer: Joseph Buscemi
Associate Producer: Brandon Fuhr; Josh Crowe
Production Manager: Peter Brunette
Production Coordinator: Fernando Davila
Audio: Will Miller
Production Assistant: Kevin Balash; Ariel Labasan
Post Production Supervisor: Andrew Montague
Post Production Coordinator: Holly Frew
Supervising Editor: Christina Mankellow
Assistant Editor: Andy Morell
Colorist: Oliver Eid
Want even more AD? Subscribe to the magazine and get a free tote ►► bit.ly/3Oh8McU
Still haven’t subscribed to Architectural Digest on KZbin? ►► bit.ly/2zl7s34
ABOUT ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST
The leading international design authority, Architectural Digest features articles and videos of the best in architecture, style, culture, travel, and shopping.

[@Lemoncatsf]

More of Valery Augustin and Los Angeles architecture. One of the exciting things about LA is that you’re constantly discovering new and beautiful things about it. It’s a gradual unfolding. Grateful to live here.

[@josephdavidis]

I pass The Broad museum daily and always wondered what the function of the walls were. Amazing.

[@babyvanderwoodsen]

I was born and raised in LA, which is a really beautiful/soulful place despite what the entire world has to say about it.. 😅It's so lovely seeing the history of my hometown, thank you AD

[@michaeltrower741]

I would love to live there.

[@babyvanderwoodsen]

@@michaeltrower741 I really hope you get the chance to!

[@redsiberian]

Los Angeles turns a blind eye to the suffering, drug addicted, and poor that’s why it gets a bad wrap.

[@kishastanley344]

LA is my favorite place to be I cry every time I have to leave🌏

[@JodyOwen-we6oo]

Redsiberian Part of why. It’s a cultural and architectural void spread over a useless chunk of an arid wasteland. Because of that it destroys the water rights of half the West. LA and Las Vegas are the extremes of America at its very worst.

[@DavidRepola]

This was a great video. As someone who has lived in LA my whole life, I’m familiar with all of these buildings but enjoyed learning a lot of their cool history!

[@laurelbarlow5733]

I was born and raised in Los Angeles. It is a beautiful city.

[@vintagegal541]

This is a interesting and entertaining history of Los Angeles. I had always thought about the Spanish inspired architecture in the residential homes, never the downtown core. Los Angeles has some beautiful historic buildings. My favorite was the Eastern Building because color terracotta tile is something that you do not see everyday and one of my favorite colors. It's whimsical and fantasy inspired. Thanks Mr. Augustin for your presentation.

[@hellpermonkey]

so facfts? ANS LOGISTICS

[@JoeyChilango]

Nothing on the Bradbury Building? Inconceivable!

[@mats7492]

Downtown LA isnt something id come up when asked about interesting architecture but this gave me a whole new perspektive

[@mrxman581]

And that's only the very tip of the iceberg.

[@lucaspadilla4815]

Everyone bad talks downtown LA some for legit reasons, but honestly it has so much potential

[@MitchellBPYao]

If you play LA noire can see traces of the past and see where these buildings are now

[@oliverwhite5567]

I would highly recommend doing of the various walking tours of downtown LA put on by the LA Conservancy.

[@susanmurphy958]

Thank you for this piece, Valery! You are Wonderful. Please do more. I live in DTLA and I am a History enthusiast and Architecture fanatic so I really enjoyed today's reel. Thanks again.❤❤❤

[@mrxman581]

Agreed. You might think about joining the LA Conservancy. It's a great organization and they have wonderful tours around the city. I've taken a few including one of the historic Broadway theaters. They also have movie screenings in historic theaters. I attended one a few weeks ago at the Million Dollar Theater. They screened Vertigo by Hitchcock. It was great.

[@JeckoSTARlaloo]

I was low-key anticipating this after the features on New York, Chicago and San Francisco. (And I am also actively waiting for MORE Chicago architectural tours)

[@Mash333]

L.A. is a gem.

[@kathythompson9931]

Thank you so much! I’ve never been on a building tour of LA, please do many more! And I love your name too!

[@mrxman581]

The LA Conservancy non profit organization has some great walking tours. I think they might have video tours on their website too.

[@jengirl2]

That Eastern Columbia building… 😍😍😍

[@adriannademadriguera4859]

mr. augustin was fantastic and this was a joy. thank you so much.

[@letprod]

This is such a great piece, downtown LA's buildings are so unique and beautiful and don't really get the global credit they deserve.

[@JodyOwen-we6oo]

That’s because it’s a jell hole of a town. There are literally tens of thousands of places far more interesting with culture and art and history LA doesn’t have. Why anyone would spend more time than a layover forces on then in that polluted , derivative, soulless waste of space defies logic.

[@eliaustin8520]

@@JodyOwen-we6ooit’s awful…. To say it is a Mecca for architects is a disgrace… That said Thom Mayne, Wes Jones & Neil Denari are the LA architects that inspire me🙌🏾

[@youski9379]

Amazing video. Love the details and history of my city’s architecture. Thank you.

[@davidburgess3882]

you should mention the Richfield Building, an Art Deco masterpiece. Demolished in the 60s. A tragedy! Also didn't mention Downtown library.

[@DavidinSLO]

My top ten list of iconic Los Angeles buildings include: - LAX Theme Building - Randy’s Donuts - Chinese Theater - Crossroads of the World - Capital Records - Stahl Case Study House #22 - Griffith Observatory - Westin Bonaventure - Walt Disney Concert Hall - LA City Hall I realize this list is very subjective. I just tried to come up with buildings (mostly historic) that truly say “Los Angeles”

[@mjthegray]

If AD can cover more facts and information about other buildings and skyline of DTLA, that would be great. Specifically about how each high rise represent maritime landscape and vessels. This is great!

[@bngr_bngr]

I would love to see the lost Victorian houses of Bunker Hill.

[@bessycorrales6405]

Beautiful. Thoroughly enjoyed touring these iconic landmarks.

[@Benjorunner]

I noticed Union Station for the first time in a movie. Its really amazing to have such a beautiful train station!

[@mrxman581]

Indeed. And it has continued to operate as a train station since it's opening. It's more popular than ever especially now that it's also the main station for LA Metro, Metrolink and Amtrak.

[@antoniahamilton3201]

Its awaiting the San Francisco/ LA Bullet Train.

[@mrxman581]

@@antoniahamilton3201 Very true. I wonder when LA Metro will start the renovations and expansion of Union Station. I have a feeling they won't start untill after the 2028 Olympics.

[@Drezzedtokill]

My beautiful hometown 😢

[@Kampy_]

Love this.... I wish it were a lot longer than 12 minutes! Or, I wish it were the first episode of a series... I want 20 more 10-12 minute videos like this!

[@drplando14]

I was born at the general hospital and we would go downtown in the 80s to watch movies at the million dollar theater (I still remember watching ET when it first came out). I loved going downtown and looking at the beautiful buildings and always wished to live there in a historic building.

[@bernicevanwinkle1769]

WHAT A GREAT TOUR!!!!!!! I LOVE THIS ARCHITECT as well! I'll be in LA in November & will MOST definitely follow this!!!!!!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!!!

[@AM-xh6sk]

Beautiful architecture - I wish the city would take care of the streets so people can freely enjoy it.

[@rudipapiri621]

Excellent!!! Insightful!!! Masterclass on the architecture, history and cultural influences of Downtown LA.

[@rhondam2631]

Excellent presentation. I learned so much in this video. Keep these videos coming!

[@JasJ8]

Love Valery and his commentary on the City of Angels. Can he please have his own PBS show? 😊

[@vladeckk21]

Interesting and enjoyable. Thanks for sharing your appreciation of these buildings.

[@danjberg]

The DWP building in downtown is my favorite - it's an absolutely perfect mid-century modern building.

[@antoniahamilton3201]

Agree. I wish they would turn on the orange lit fountains again.

[@boidesignstudio28511]

Great walking tour of Downtown LA! I love it!

[@GRIFTYRODRIGUEZ]

I would love to see more series exploring SF architecture as well in this manner! Great vid

[@sbartdbarcelona44]

Excellent/informative. Thx you!

[@nellwarnes7273]

I'm surprised that you didn't feature a single building by Paul Williams. I'd love a video on how he shaped the asthenic of LA.

[@mrxman581]

This video was specifically on DTLA. Williams was very popular in his time with the Hollywood community, but I think he also did some buildings in historically Black neighborhoods too.

[@4CHAMBuurs]

I had the same thought, you can’t talk about L.A. architecture without mentioning Mr. Paul Williams.

[@Stephen_Lafferty]

This is a great documentary walking tour! I would love to see another chapter presented by Valery Augustin, who is an excellent guide and presenter on the topic!

[@redsiberian]

La has beautiful architecture not many places in the world have art deco, Spanish, and modern architecture all in one area.

[@mrxman581]

Don't forget mid century modern architecture too. LA and SoCal has a long history of it especially in Palm Springs.

[@lunamypet]

I hope we get more LA content

[@redhen32]

Impressive!! Thanks for a fascinating video. I will share LA's architecture with others.

[@swaucepapi]

This was such a beautiful video to honor the architect of the city!

[@johnallred716]

Nice tour and history lesson! Love DTLA

[@LesterPGrant]

Stunning post. Thank you!

[@allermenchenaufder]

The Train station, very romantic 🥰 traveling experience. Always

[@tati_oak]

Wow! That's so interesting! Thanks 😊

[@jimpickard1620]

Thank you, That’s really great!

[@gedigi9010]

Thank You What a great tour of L A

[@SusanB16]

Super interesting 👀 thanks for sharing!

[@serafinacosta7118]

Great. Now we have an Architect for Los Angeles who knows his mettle. Please keep him and have him to bring us the goodies.

[@angelinesarol5616]

great video, excellent commentary I did not know how much Calif rich in Architecture

[@lilwill06]

Love the tour. Can you do an architectural tour of downtown Philly next?

[@jeffpetrie7744]

Our guide is easy on the eyes, as are all of the buildings presented. 👍🏼

[@cesarchoya6961]

As Spanish I get proud to see how many cultural features like architectural linguistic historical may have an impact in a city like LA. An that part of America embrace Spanish heritage. In the other side I realised that sometimes we don’t see the richness of our culture and sometimes degrade ourselves. Notwithstanding I hope visiting LA at least ones. And observe that unique place.

[@rossybink]

Brilliant, thank you 🙏 ❤

[@MO-sx7re]

I been in LA for almost 30 yrs and love it !

[@THECHEESIEST]

Friggen loved it. Wish it was a 2 hour doc

[@lisirchin]

The broad’s architecture is structured pretty great with the angled panels🧐

[@rodsalvador3608]

Very cool! Would have loved to see the Bradbury building on this list!

[@MrBuddygonzo]

great video!!!

[@joegordon5117]

Thank you for this - these videos are always interesting, but LA isn't a city that tends to get this treatment for architectural coverage, so it was a special treat.

[@riottonitedragon8344]

This was great.

[@DukeBX]

Would love to see a video on Pasadena’s (CA) gorgeous buildings.

[@abrahamgomez653]

I agree it is very mixed ....I walked downtown and it's seems mysterious. The vibe is different but still a great city.

[@ipsilonia]

so glad they brought valery back

[@josueruiz305]

Thank you

[@microcosm1957]

Please do a video like this for Charleston, South Carolina!

[@SwissOnZ]

Very impressive.

[@fardrives]

Do the beautiful architecture of Tent City, LA next!

[@helmutaugustin3786]

Very interesting video, thank you so much! Just al little detail: Musée des Confluences (7:22) is in Lyon, not Paris.

[@thedrunkweddingphotographer]

My only complaint, I wish Mr. Augustin didn't speed run through each building.

[@deco983]

Nice!

[@marving1416]

I've yet to see an art deco building I didn't like!

[@eduran777ify]

Make a part 2

[@hopperblue934]

beautiful way😄

[@whitetiger0802]

Do one for San Francisco!!!

[@Mooocheropordis]

I thought he was using hyperbole when he said the city hall reno was 'seismic', but being L.A he actually meant it!

[@raulmiranda737]

Reminds me of 500 days of summer.

[@Riskmangler]

This is such an informative video. The backstory on these structures are very interesting. The only suggestion would be to include the name of the general contractors who built these amazing building. Recipes are great but without a chef, they're just ink on paper.

[@rebeccaj5463]

I was confused why the Eastern Columbia building sounded so familiar... the flipping Depp Heard trial!!

[@Izzy-qf1do]

I love LA

[@WDI2008]

Buildings in Downtown LA also have to be built or retrofitted to withstand Earthquakes.

[@pasqallysquigglyjunior277]

Cool

[@celsocosta880]

Wow nice voice 👏👏👏

[@kathleenweinberg6442]

Mansion are big and has lots of space and large rooms

[@masonkim7]

Is this LA or London? the weather was horrendous for LA that day.

[@joshuabuchanan1141]

I hate when people's complain that LA is too pricey to live in and in general while yeah in some parts of LA thats true, but LA has a lot of neat architecture especially in west LA

[@letBIGGIErest]

hilarious that the one day they film outside in LA it's raining

[@huiarama]

How strong is Art Deco as an influence in Los Angeles as compared to other cities??

[@yajisc]

So when are you going to do this in Mexico City?

[@arcie3716]

Los Angels can be beautiful

[@levibates]

LA is definitely the pentacle of architecture

[@DecoratewithAtefeh]

The number of views on some of the videos on this channel is weird😅

[@chickachica2129]

This is a great video! Thank you. Is the Musee de Confluence in Lyon, France not in Paris as cited in the section where they show the architect that designed the arts school? My son and I were just in Lyon and went to this museum. I could be wrong but I did not remember one in Paris?? 😊

[@mrxman581]

Also, he references the Guggenheim in NY when he talks about the Walt Disney Concert Hall. That's incorrect. It's the Guggenheim in Bilbao, Spain.

[@chrisslater9514]

i wanna be this guys friend so bad :’)

[@pavel7700]

I have seen a lot of this buildings when i payed GTA S.A on PS2

[@ABruin-vw8bi]

I apologize to the narrator and the audience. I reacted immediately to the statement I quoted and did not continue to view the video in which the existence and culture of the indigenous peoples who were in the area prior to the Spanish were acknowledged. Again, my apologies to all.

[@Searchingtheworld7183]

Basically,it is the city of the angels.

[@OyeKLK6]

I'm sweating just looking at him