Goodhue Building

Goodhue Building. A prominent early Art Deco skyscraper in the financial district of Los Angeles, the Goodhue Building was designed by the renowned architectural firm of John Parkinson and Donald B. Parkinson. Completed in 1927, it stands as a significant example of the transition from the elaborate ornamentation of the Beaux-Arts tradition to the streamlined, geometric forms that defined the American architecture of the late 1920s. Named for its original primary tenant, the Goodhue Company, a major wholesale grocery firm, the building has been a fixture of the Los Angeles skyline for nearly a century.

History

The Goodhue Building was commissioned during the intense period of growth and construction that characterized Los Angeles in the 1920s, a boom fueled by the success of the oil, agricultural, and burgeoning entertainment industry centered on Hollywood. The Goodhue Company, seeking a new headquarters, selected the father-son team of John Parkinson and Donald B. Parkinson, who were already celebrated for designing landmarks like the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and the Los Angeles City Hall. Construction began in 1926 and was completed the following year, with the building opening at the height of the pre-Great Depression economic expansion. It survived the economic turmoil of the 1930s and subsequent decades, witnessing the transformation of the surrounding Bunker Hill area and the broader downtown Los Angeles landscape. In 1984, its architectural importance was formally recognized with its listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

Architecture

Designed by John Parkinson and Donald B. Parkinson, the Goodhue Building is a masterful early example of Art Deco architecture applied to a commercial skyscraper. The twelve-story structure features a tripartite vertical composition, with a distinct base, shaft, and capital, clad in gleaming terracotta and brick. Its most striking feature is the dramatic, multi-story setback crown, adorned with intricate geometric patterns, stylized floral motifs, and zigzag designs characteristic of the Art Deco style. The facade is further embellished with decorative spandrel panels and elegant metal-framed windows. The main entrance on South Broadway is a monumental portal of polished granite, leading to a lobby that originally featured lavish materials like marble, bronze, and decorative plasterwork, though much of the interior has been altered over time.

Significance

The Goodhue Building holds significant historical and architectural importance within the context of Los Angeles and American architecture. It is widely regarded as one of the first true Art Deco skyscrapers built in the city, predating more famous examples like the Eastern Columbia Building. The design by John Parkinson and Donald B. Parkinson represents a pivotal moment, bridging the ornate historical revivals of the early 20th century and the sleek Modernism that would follow. Its construction symbolized the confidence and prosperity of Los Angeles in the Roaring Twenties. As a well-preserved example of 1920s commercial architecture, it contributes vitally to the historic streetscape of downtown Los Angeles and serves as a key property within the Broadway Theater District, itself a National Historic Landmark district.

Tenants and uses

Upon its completion, the building was anchored by its namesake, the Goodhue Company, a major wholesale grocery distributor that occupied several floors. Throughout its history, it has primarily functioned as a multi-tenant office building, housing a variety of law firms, insurance companies, and other professional services that supported the financial district. Like many historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles, it has experienced periods of decline and renewal. In recent decades, there have been proposals and efforts to adaptively reuse the structure, potentially converting upper floors to residential units while preserving retail and office spaces at street level, reflecting broader revitalization trends in the area led by organizations like the Los Angeles Conservancy.

See also

* Art Deco architecture * John Parkinson * Donald B. Parkinson * Financial District, Los Angeles * Broadway Theater District (Los Angeles) * Eastern Columbia Building * Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum * National Register of Historic Places

Category:Art Deco architecture in Los Angeles Category:National Register of Historic Places in Los Angeles Category:Skyscrapers in Los Angeles Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1927