HISTORY

The Bradbury Building, built in 1893 is considered as one of the finest architectural masterpieces in Southern California. The dramatic central court made of glazed brick walls, ornamental cast iron made in France, tiling, stairs of Belgian marble and polished wood railings is flooded in the light from the huge skylight five stories above.

The history is as dramatic as the architecture itself. Lewis Bradbury was a mining millionaire turned real estate developer when, in 1892, he decided to construct a five story building at Third and Broadway. The plans developed by a well known architect, Sumner Hunt disappointed Mr. Bradbury who wanted something unique.

Believing in a potential of an obscure draftsman, he asked 32-year old George Wyman to create a design. At first, Wyman declined the offer, but after debating the matter, he decided to get an advice from his brother, who was then...dead for six years. The forerunner of the quija board wrote down a "spirit" message that read: "Take Bradbury Building. It will make you famous".

Encouraged by the message "from beyond" Wyman decided to design the building based on Edward Bellamy's science fiction story "Looking Backward" published in 1887, which described a utopian civilization in the year 2000. In the book, one of the author's imagined visions resembles the interior of the Bradbury building:

"A vast hall of light, received not alone from the windows on all sides but from the dome, the point of which was a hundred feet above...The walls were frescoed in mellow tints, to soften without absorbing the light which flooded the interior."

Los Angeles developer and former owner, Ira Yellin hired architect Brenda Levin to renovate the building. The two year renovations also brought the building up to building codes. Elements such as alabaster lighting sconces, fire exit lights and sprinkler system and hardware to meet ADA requirements were added.  $2.4 million was invested to bring the building up to California's earthquake codes by anchoring the exterior walls at each floor level. Concrete frames behind the storefront piers and block shear walls were placed between the basement and second floors for stiffness. Decorative sandstone facade elements were also secured from behind.

Bradbury is also certified as National Historic Landmark. Over the century old Bradbury still offers modern office environment to its Tenants and a convenient walking distance location near the major cultural and business centers. 

CHARLIE CHAPLIN SCULPTURE AT BRADBURY 

The building offers a photo opportunity next to the sculpture of the comedian actor Charlie Chaplin in the main lobby. The sculpture was created by a Russian sculptor living in New York, Emmanuil Snitkovsky in 1989. The sculpture represents a life-size Charlie Chaplin in his famous role "The Little Trump". It was exhibited as part of a tribute back then to the actor's 100th birthday and organized by the Hollywood Arts Council. 

"Charlie Chaplin" was the first of a series of sculptures to be grouped on "The Bench of Comedians" proposed in the courtyard of the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood.  Because of the recent extensive renovations of the hotel, a new home for the sculpture has now been found here at the Bradbury building. Charlie Chaplin was once a highlight in this neighborhood, which in the early 1920's was a "walk of fame" as Hollywood is today. In 1931, the most splendid Los Angeles Theatre, built to resemble the Hall of Mirrors of the Palace of Versailles in Paris on 615 S. Broadway opened its doors for the first time with the gala premiere of the movie "City Lights" with Charlie Chaplin in his masterpiece role.  A United Artists Theater built in 1927 was financed by the original partners of United Artists: Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks and Charlie Chaplin who are pictured in the auditorium murals.

Broadway Street, being the largest historic theatre district in the United States with other grandiose movie houses of the early 20th Century, such as Million Dollar Theatre and Orpheum Theatre - the oldest in the world, marked Charlie Chaplin as one of the most recognized stars of the silent movie era.

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