Bullocks Wilshire building: an Art Deco classic in Los Angeles

A store like no other, the architectural gem is considered a national treasure, part of the fabric of Los Angeles, indelibly etched into the city's cultural soul. Historian David Gebhard calls the building “one of the key monuments of the art deco style in America and the most beautifully and consistently carried out.” Noted Los Angeles architect, Albert C. Martin says, “Bullock's was a magnificent architectural expression, a high quality design using outstanding materials. It created a new spirit in retailing.” Historian Kevin Starr wrote that Bullock's Wilshire “celebrated and climaxed the expansion of a decade… reflecting the confidence and optimism of Los Angeles.” (from Balcony Press)

In 1988-1989, I dated a woman who worked as a buyer for Bullocks Wilshire. In the morning, she'd drop me off at my job at McManus & Morgan (see my blog post) on 7th Street, a few blocks away. After I got off work at 5:30pm (a 9 hour day, a job I worked for eight years) I'd walk over to this amazing building and wait for her in the building's famous porte-cochere, through which wealthy Angelenos drove their pricey cars.

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