The Velaslavasay Panorama

Last time I was in Los Angeles, I visited this hotel with a family member. I thought it was fascinating. They owned these “panoramic theaters” before almost anyone could visit movies, TV and world tours, where you could catch a glimpse of distant lands. This is the last one - climb the stairs and you will find yourself on the central observation deck surrounded by the Arctic scenery, accompanied by howling winds. Unless you can imagine going back to the early 1900s and imagining the Arctic they would never see for themselves, they would be very kitty and might be caught off guard. The gardens are nice too.

I love this place in the West Adams Historic District offering both a glimpse of how a movie theater would've been at the height of the silent movie era, as well as its function today as a celebration of the visual arts in-the-round. The Panorama is a 360º work of art to give viewers the impression of a continuous space: think of it as the 18th Century equivalent of an IMAX screen. This is offbeat, quirky LA at its best.