downtown's heyday 06:37

Los Angeles in 1952 before all the skyscrapers came in. One can see the Alexandria Hotel (which still exists) and the wonderful Eastern Building in the background. 

Above is the the Hall of Records which was unfortunately demolished in the 70's and below the Eastern Columbia Building. 

Above is the Richfield Building which was demolished in the 60's and below a picture of Broadway during a time when it actually flourished and was a destination for culture.

the eastern columbia building 12:47

Considered one of Los Angeles' most beautiful buildings, the Eastern Columbia sits at the end of Broadway and served as the headquarters for the Eastern Outfitting Company and the Columbia Outfitting Company. It was designed by Claud Beelman and constructed by September of 1930 in the zig-zag Moderne Style. It later became offices and slowly fell into disuse but was fortunately saved from the wrecking ball (unlike the Richfield Building). In 2006, the building was converted into condominiums by the Kor Group and now is a highly sought after place to live.

The building is cladded in turquoise terracotta tiles and accented with gilded trimmings. Christopher Hawthorne, a Los Angeles Times architectural critic wrote that it is "one of the most beautiful pieces of architecture in the city, a building that would be world-famous if it were located in Manhattan or San Francisco. Hopefully, as Downtown L.A. gentrifies and becomes a desirable area to live in, the building will indeed become well-known.

The zig-zag lines and the heavy geometric depictions characterize the zig-zag Modern Style. One can see the sun at the center of the metalwork with the rays projecting out as stylized plants. The gilding is said to be actual gold dust. 

the richfield tower 13:45

The Richfield Tower was a twelve-story art deco structure completed in 1928 and served as the headquarters of the Richfield Oil Company until 1969. In 1966, Richfield merged with Atlantic Petroleum and formed the ARCO company. The tower was then dismantled and two new skyscrapers went up for the new company. To many however, the destruction of the building was arguably one of the most regrettable decision made in Los Angeles' architectural history. 

The building was designed by Los Angeles architect Stiles O. Clements with a black and gold facade to symbolize oil as being 'black gold.' The building was crowned with a tower that was suppose to represent an oil-well gusher. The tops were also lined with sculptures of angels sculpted by Haig Patigian.

There were forty angels that were salvaged but only a handful remain. The one above is now back in downtown. Four others are in a sculpture garden at UC Santa Barbara. Below are the elevator doors that were also saved.

The ARCO towers came the replace the building. Many people today detest these modern skyscrapers but at the time it was built, I am sure that people hailed it as progress. It was modern, sleek, shiny, and very tall. Very few people in the sixties were actually concerned about preserving older buildings and therefore, I think we should be fair to the people who designed and constructed these buildings. A good historian does not think with his or her own preferences and emotions and hopefully tries his or her best to understand the people of that time. And I think we should step away from what our contemporary senses tell us and enjoy it for what it is (Although as a modern person, I would also prefer to have the old building).