Bullock’s Wilshire

This five-story Art Deco building stands at 241 feet (73 m) tall with a distinctive tower, featuring a terra cotta facade and decorative green copper accents along Wilshire Boulevard.

Constructed between 1928 and 1929 by architects John and Donald Parkinson, the building opened as the first major department store outside downtown Los Angeles and closed in 1993.

During its heyday, the store attracted Hollywood stars including John Wayne, Greta Garbo, and Clark Gable, who frequented its upscale boutiques and penthouse Tea Room for social gatherings.

Southwestern Law School acquired the building in 1994 and completed a 29 million dollar restoration, transforming it into an 83,000 square foot law library and academic center by 1997.

Herman Sachs painted a ceiling mural celebrating early 20th-century transportation modes including air, rail, and ocean liners but deliberately omitted automobiles, which were still emerging at the time.

Location: Los Angeles

Inception: 1928

Architects: The Parkinsons

Architectural style: Art Deco architecture

GPS coordinates: 34.06160,-118.28800

Latest update: December 20, 2025 16:00