Wait a minute. This picture isn't from South Pasadena! You're right, I crossed the border into Pasadena for this one. I was so charmed by the multi-textured planes of this walkway, I just couldn't resist snapping and sharing. Besides, generations of South Pasadena shoppers have ventured over to this department store on South Lake Street. It's part of our shared history.
Originally a Bullocks and now a Macys, it was designed in 1947 by the divine Welton Becket. Becket's design house created several other iconic Los Angeles structures. Here's one of my favorites. And here's another one.
Back in 2008 the South Lake store was closed for renovations. I was afraid it was going to be stripped of all charm, but instead it was thoughtfully restored and revitalized with beautiful attention to the store's historic period details. (I'm particularly fond of the Men's Department mural and the etched brass elevators.)
For more on Welton Becket, click here.
15 comments:
Unique, stylish and very pretty!
stavangerdailyphoto.com
Gunn
You know how much I love that store!!!
This is a textural overload. Is it slate? I love slate.
Great photo of a great building!
I'm familiar with all of the iconic buildings you've pointed out to us but not the architect himself. Thanks for creating the connection
I can't believe the border police didn't stop you.
It will always be Bullock's to me.
I was afraid they were going to ruin it when it closed too, Laurie!!! My mom took us to that Bullock's when we needed something special...I still have a bit of a problem with Macy's being there...Bullock's was so much more....uh...for lack of a better term...upscale!!!
I was surprised to see that the Capitol Records building and the Cinema building were built by the same architect. Any time I need to go to a department store...I tend to go there...I still love the building!!!
I'll think of this photo next time I walk the walk. This place has always evoked memories for me, memories I'm not sure are mine.
Well something that I remember HAS been ruined.
In the past...when?...I don't quite know but on the lower level, ther was a round area (atrium?) with a fountain in the center. At Christmas time the tree was there.
Around the wall were niches with a bench to sit on. I would sit and ponder. It was lovely.
NOW there are racks and racks of stuff in that area. I really miss that round area with the domed ceilng.
I forgot about that Shanna!!! You're absolutely right!!!
I desperately miss the Bullocks Tea Room, where ladies would go to lunch and see a fashion show with a real runway and the models stopping by each table.
I knew the end must be near when a couple of men walked in wearing baseball caps and didn't take them off when they sat down. The Tea Room's closure a few years ago was the end of civilazation altogether. Now it's the furniture section.
But I still love the building with all its historic exterior and interior features!
Why yes, I do know how to spell civilization!
It's a great store. I haven't been over there in a while. You are sooo right.
Oh Laurie, how DID you get past the border police? Oh wait, they were let go...
Bullock's, as it will always be for me as well, was a magical place for me. The atrium is a place I would "get" to sit, while my mother shopped, or where my Grammie would give me a penny and we'd make a wish, except during Xmas. It was in that atrium that my mother found a lamp sitting on a table that eventually went in my room, that I still remember fondly.
The Tea Room...oh dear, is gone. Grammie and I would go there to enjoy a bite and to watch the runway models.
And not far from this shot, was where I would go sit on Santa's lap.
Times do change, but it is hard to believe that some of the old Bullock's couldn't be kept...but I guess progress moves on...
Thanks for reminding me of some good times with people who are no longer around.
Heh. Anyone remember Iver's in Highland Park?
Someone check my memory now.
Oh yeah, google to the rescue. Closed in '84..
An old favorite of my Grandma's.
Yeah - Bullocks is another old timer lost to us forever.. Only thing that's permanent is change folks.
Post a Comment