Los Angeles Famous Architecture 1 day

Description:

The largest home ever built in Beverly Hills is this 55-room English Tudor Mansion constructed by Edward L. Doheny in 1928. A gift to his son, it was built for more than $50 million dollars, and includes a 16-acre garden. The grounds have been used as a public park, and the home itself for varying purposes, most recently for the activities of the American Film Institute. Dozens of films have been shot here, including The Loved One, The Bodyguard, The Witches of Eastwick and Death Becomes Her. The interior of the mansion is closed to the public, but the exterior and surrounding park is completely open for visitors. Admission is free and complimentary parking is available within the gates.

Description:

One of the most fabulous homes in Beverly Hills has curiously never been inhabited by any of its stars. Constructed in 1921 by art director Harry C. Oliver and aptly nicknamed the "Witch's House," Spadena House really does look like it belongs in a fantasy world, with its jagged, peaked roof and mullioned windows. A testament to its true wackiness, the house was originally located in Culver City, but was moved because admirers frequently caused traffic problems. Unfortunately, today the house is a private residence and is not open to the public.

Description:

This home, just west of the UCLA campus in Westwood was designed by the Austrian architect Rudolph Schindler. Located just off Sunset Boulevard, it is just one of many notable homes in the L.A. area designed by Schindler. It is one of Schindler's last creations and considered one of his most successful. The house is geometrically sculptured and makes prominent use of plate-glass, lending to the appearance of a maritime vessel. Although the home is a private residence, feel free to drive by to gasp at this architectural marvel.

Description:

This house was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1939 for George D. Sturges. It is constructed of brick and redwood and is rectangular in shape. The house is built on a hillside and is very innovative in its design—or it was at the time it was built. This is one of many architecturally important homes in Los Angeles. It is worth a drive-by if you are in the neighborhood so be sure to put it on your itinerary.

Description:

A protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright and contemporary of Richard Neutra, Austrian architect Rudolph Schindler designed this innovative modern house for himself in 1921 and 1922. It's now home to the Los Angeles arm of Austria's Museum of Applied Arts (MAK). The house is noted for its complicated interlocking spaces; the interpenetration of indoors and out; simple, unadorned materials; and technological innovations. Docent-guided tours are conducted at no additional charge on weekends only.

The MAK Center offers guides to L.A.-area buildings by Schindler and other Austrian architects, and presents visiting related exhibitions and creative arts programming. Call for schedules.

Description:

This is certainly one of the more unique structures in Beverly Hills. Heavily reminiscent of Spain's master architect Antonio Gaudi, this home was built in the 1980s by art deco storeowner Don O'Neill. The house is a welcome architectural anomaly amidst the often-boring pseudo-classical style homes of Beverly Hills. Today, no tours are given, but it is still an interesting place to check out from the outside.

Description:

Like the more famous Whitley Heights, this community of homes built in the 1920s was one of the most exclusive areas of its time. Back in its prime (1940s-1960s), it attracted a number of stars and other entertainment industry types. The developers created a beautiful area by planting a plentiful amount of trees, infusing a Mediterranean style into the homes, and perfecting the innovation of submerging the utilities underground. The homes stretch quite a long way along Outpost Drive.

Description:

The Virginia Robinson Estate is the only home in Beverly Hills open to the public. The property consists of a modest 6,000 square-foot mansion with pristine grounds. Virginia Robinson was one of the premier party hosts in Beverly Hills. She played bridge with the likes of Fred Astaire and Charles Boyer on a regular basis. The 90-minute walking tour visits the parlor that provides views into most of the other main rooms, but the real attraction is the six acres of landscaped grounds, which include an Italian terraced hillside, a tropical area and a rose garden. The estate is located just off North Crescent Drive. Reservations must be made several weeks in advance as there are no walk-in visitors allowed.

Description:

Frank Lloyd Wright, a famed architect, built Hollyhock House for Aline Barnsdall in 1923. The heritage house was handed to the city in 1927, and has been home to many organizations over the years. Located within the environs of Barnsdall Park, the house is surrounded by galleries, studios and a theater and attracts scores of visitors. The quaint village of Los Feliz is a hop, skip and jump away. Tickets for the tours can be purchased at the Municipal Art Gallery.

Description:

This cafe has established its place as a great find for those who love curry at a friendly price. The small space is simple to the point of being bland. Perhaps it's meant to balance the amazing array of tastes on the large menu. Regulars don't come only for the decor; it's the food that keeps them coming back. The menu features wonderful flavored Naan, curry dishes that range from mild to very hot; sizzling tandoori plates and appetizers that could easily be substituted for a meal. Try the Vegetable Samosas; the outside is flaky and light and the inside hot and delicious. Beer and wine are also available.

Description:

Many consider Ennis-Brown House to be the most impressive of the Frank Lloyd Wright area residences. Built in 1924, Wright used Mayan art and architecture as his dominant influence for this home. It was given its current name in 1980 when then-owner, Augustus O. Brown donated the house to the Trust for Preservation of Cultural Heritage. The house has been featured dozens of times in film and television, most famously in the Ridley Scott sci-fi classic Blade Runner. Situated near Griffith Park, the house is highly visible from several area neighborhoods.