INTRODUCTION
Originally built as a vaudeville theater and movie palace in 1931, the Wiltern Theater and Pellissier building is a stunning example of American art deco architecture. The theater is registered as a historic place, and even after changing hands and uses many times over the years, the marquee, entrance and lobby on the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Western Avenue retain their original grandeur.
DESIGN
Designed by famed architect Stiles O. Clemens, the 12-story Pellissier Building—which today houses CMS’s lobby, offices, and the Jack Pierce Museum—was the tallest privately-owned building in Los Angeles at the time. The Wiltern’s interior was designed by G. Albert Lansburgh in combination with painter Anthony Heinsbergen, who added to the theater’s art deco theme with his beautiful wall murals.
