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About the

Bradbury Building

LEWIS BRADBURY, SR.
(c. 1823-1892)
The story of The Bradbury Building is as dramatic as its interiors. Inspired by an 1880s science fiction story, designed with an assist from the occult by a draftsman with no architectural training, and built by a mining millionaire as his final monument, it’s the perfect answer to a highly imperfect set of circumstances.
The story of The Bradbury Building is as dramatic as its interiors. Inspired by an 1880s science fiction story, designed with an assist from the occult by a draftsman with no architectural training, and built by a mining millionaire as his final monument, it’s the perfect answer to a highly imperfect set of circumstances.

A MONUMENTAL VISION

The ill and aging gold-mining millionaire Lewis Bradbury wanted to create one last building, a living legacy to perpetuate his name. After approaching a well-known architect whose plans proved to be disappointing, Bradbury engaged 32-year-old George Wyman, a draftsman for the underwhelming architect.

Wyman was hesitant to accept the project, but one fateful evening, Wyman’s deceased brother Mark allegedly communicated, “Take Bradbury Building. It will make you famous,” through a Ouija board. With this assurance from the spiritual world, the Bradbury-Wyman partnership began.

The ill and aging gold-mining millionaire Lewis Bradbury wanted to create one last building, a living legacy to perpetuate his name. After approaching a well-known architect whose plans proved to be disappointing, Bradbury engaged 32-year-old George Wyman, a draftsman for the underwhelming architect.

Wyman was hesitant to accept the project, but one fateful evening, Wyman’s deceased brother Mark allegedly communicated, “Take Bradbury Building. It will make you famous,” through a Ouija board. With this assurance from the spiritual world, the Bradbury-Wyman partnership began.

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Image Credits: Creative Commons
Image Credits: Creative Commons
Image Credits: Creative Commons

DESIGNING THE FUTURE

Wyman was greatly influenced by the 1887 story “Looking Backward,” which portrays a utopian civilization in the year 2000. In the story, a commercial building was described as a “vast hall full 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.” This vision of a sundrenched, skylit interior clearly informed the design of The Bradbury Building.
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ORNATE DESIGN DETAILS

The interior is covered with ornately designed wrought iron railings, which give the illusion of hanging vegetation. The wrought iron decoration was made in France and first displayed at the Chicago World’s Fair before installation in the Building.

BITTERSWEET COMPLETION

The original building estimate was over $175,000, but by the time it was completed, Bradbury had invested $500,000 in it—an astounding sum for the era. It was precisely Bradbury’s desired monument, but he never saw it completed. He died a few months before its opening in 1893. The building was Wyman’s singular masterpiece, despite enrolling in a course and pursuing a career in architecture.

The Design Details

AN ARCHITECTURAL MONUMENT

The Bradbury Building is known for its extraordinary skylit atrium of wrought iron walkways, marble stairs and “birdcage” elevators.

A brightly lit staircase with a wooden railing and a glass ceiling. The viewer is looking up the stairs from the bottom. The staircase appears to be in a modern office building

ICONIC IRONWORK

One of downtown’s most photographed icons, the singular, sun drenched Victorian court features grand marble staircases, polished wood, and glazed brick crowned by an extraordinary skylit atrium.

SKYLIT VISTAS

Flooded with natural light, The Bradbury Building’s iconic atrium is a living window on the landmark’s signature ironwork, marble stairs and birdcage elevators–an incomparable atmosphere for gathering and connecting.

INSPIRING SPACES

The Bradbury Building has been thoughtfully reimagined as a suite of creative spaces, embodying the futuristic vision of its patron with modern glass offices and design-forward common spaces juxtaposed against original hardwood and exposed brick.

A modern office space with a wooden table and chairs set around it. A brick fireplace is behind the table. There are large windows on the left side of the image.
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AN ARCHITECTURAL MONUMENT

The Bradbury Building is known for its extraordinary skylit atrium of wrought iron walkways, marble stairs and “birdcage” elevators.

ICONIC IRONWORK

One of downtown’s most photographed icons, the singular, sun drenched Victorian court features grand marble staircases, polished wood, and glazed brick crowned by an extraordinary skylit atrium.

SKYLIT VISTAS

Flooded with natural light, The Bradbury Building’s iconic atrium is a living window on the landmark’s signature ironwork, marble stairs and birdcage elevators–an incomparable atmosphere for gathering and connecting.

INSPIRING SPACES

The Bradbury Building has been thoughtfully reimagined as a suite of creative spaces, embodying the futuristic vision of its patron with modern glass offices and design-forward common spaces juxtaposed against original hardwood and exposed brick.

Courtesy of The Stephen Vaughan Archive
Courtesy of The Stephen Vaughan Archive
Courtesy of The Stephen Vaughan Archive
Courtesy of The Stephen Vaughan Archive
Courtesy of The Stephen Vaughan Archive
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Filming at the Bradbury Building

With a storied history of appearances in over 100 world-class feature films, television episodes, music videos, and commercials since 1942, The Bradbury Building is the perfect backdrop to memorable productions. We accept long-term film bookings 6+ months out.
NOTABLE PRODUCTIONS

Bladerunner
500 Days of Summer
The Artist
Justin Timberlake (Say Something)
Janet Jackson (Rhythm Nation)
Bosch
Pushing Daisies

INQUIRE

Bradbury Ownership

& Management

Downtown Properties
GAW CAPITAL PARTNERS

The Bradbury Building ownership team includes Downtown Properties, a multifaceted real estate investment, development, and management company focused on uncovering opportunities and adding value at every point, from every angle. Based in Downtown Los Angeles since 1996, Downtown Properties employs a team of dedicated and experienced property management professionals that take a hands-on, personal approach to overseeing all of its assets, including the Bradbury Building.

An affiliate of Gaw Capital Partners, a global real estate private equity firm, Downtown Properties has over 25 years of expertise in all aspects of real estate, with a portfolio of commercial, residential, land, and hospitality assets spanning Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, and Hawaii.

The company’s passion for creating signature experiences has produced a list of renowned properties, from the likes of the Bradbury Building to The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.

Neighborhood

The revitalized Downtown Los Angeles neighborhood represents a compelling mix of historic and modern, buzzing with trendy restaurants, cultural attractions, shopping, and even major league sports.

Attractions

Cocktails

Coffee

Food

Shopping

The letter B in a brown circle.

304 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA

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