Westlake Theatre

The Westlake Theatre is a three-story building in Los Angeles featuring a Spanish Colonial Revival facade and Renaissance-inspired ceiling designs. Steel-frame construction supports the entire structure and defines its architectural character.

The theater opened in 1926 as an entertainment venue for motion pictures and vaudeville performances. It became an important gathering place in the Westlake neighborhood during cinema's golden age.

The interior features detailed murals created by Anthony Heinsbergen, an artist who worked on other historic entertainment venues. These decorative elements remain visible today and reflect the artistic standards of the period.

The building is located on South Alvarado Street and currently houses a retail complex while preserving its architectural elements. Visitors can view the facade and exterior spaces to appreciate the original design of the structure.

The building preserves its original three-story red and white neon rooftop sign that once served as a neighborhood landmark during the cinema era. This sign stands as one of the few remaining original neon signs from that period in the area.

Location: Los Angeles

Inception: 1926

Address: 638 S. Alvarado Street, Los Angeles, CA 90057

GPS coordinates: 34.05834,-118.27537

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:04