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Bonaventure Hotel

Westin Bonaventure Hotel
Excellent
  • Late Modern
  • Identity of Building/Site
  • History of Building/Site

Bonaventure Hotel

Credit

L.A. Conservancy

Site overview

World-renowned for his pioneering work in design and development, architect John Portman brought his innovative “atrium hotel” concept to Los Angeles in the form of the Bonaventure Hotel. This unique structure evokes a 1970s vision of the future using circular shapes, massive forms, and the concept of space as experience. The exterior of the hotel is comprised of four mirrored cylinders surrounding a slightly taller central tower. The towers sit atop a six story high concrete base, much like a rocket ship on a launch pad. Adding another futurist dimension to the hotel, pedestrian skywalks high above the city streets connect the second through sixth floors of the hotel to buildings in the surrounding area. Inside, massive circular concrete forms rise seven stories from reflecting pools to connect with curved walkways that lead to lounging, dining, and shopping areas. In each quadrant of the atrium, dark glass elevators surrounded by reflecting pools shoot through the glass roof to climb up the exterior of the building. A revolving cocktail lounge which offers 360º views of Los Angeles is located on the 35th floor of the central tower.

How to Visit

Open to the public

Location

404 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA, 90071

Country

US
More visitation information

Case Study House No. 21

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Credit:

L.A. Conservancy

Designer(s)

John Portman

Architect

Nationality

American

Related chapter

Southern California

Completion

1976

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