Bonaventure Hotel – Los Angeles, California – 1977
Sit and spin! Second only to the Walt Disney Concert Hall the Bonaventure is the most unusual building downtown. Its shape and style is late- space-age architecture at its most extreme.
Ironically very similar looking structures were illustrated by legendary science fiction artist Frank R. Paul in the 1940s. Originally when it opened in 1977, it was called the Bonaventure Hotel and Shopping Gallery. The eight stories of shops that surround it never took off. But the interior furnishings and fixtures, pools and fountains and landscaping and lighting were amazing. Falling vines of Devil’s Ivy were everywhere. It was high, high seventies.
Besides being the largest hotel downtown by far, it has many unusual features. Those scary exterior elevators never fail to remind me of my fear of heights. If the outside isn’t sci-fi enough for you, step inside and have a look at the rat maze-like lobby. The only interior space more unique in town is that of the Bradbury Building built in 1893.
I dream of the day when the Bonaventure gets the interior design treatment it deserves. It needs a Wallpaper Magazine style make over. Twenty plus years of replacement furnishings and fixtures have not been kind to the original look and feel. This is a prime high-fashion building that quite clearly has the potential to be an out-of-this-world hotel.
The sitting and spinning takes place on the 35th floor in Southern California’s only revolving cocktail lounge. The first time I ever went there I went up the lounge, walked in like I owned the place, sat down and ordered a Pina Colada. They didn’t even card me. I was sixteen. All these years later I must say it’s my favorite place in town to have a drink – especially on a crystal clear evening. Of course the best time to arrive is just in time to watch the sun set. The spectacular 360- degree birds-eye view of Los Angeles (along with your cocktail of choice) is intoxicating.
GOD BLESS AMERICANA and BONEVENTUREIANA
I remember vividly the Beatlefest days at the Bonaventure. It was the best place for Beatlefest. We had so much fun there, riding the elevators, etc.
I recently found you site Charles, and I am addicted to it. Totally fabulous!
The Bonaventure Hotel slide brings back so many neat memories to me. My grandfather was the construction superintendent for the Bonaventure. When they excavated for the foundation they came across tons of fossils from the way back when. My brother and I both got to go with grampa and collect armloads of fossils. Many of them we later donated to the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History. When they discovered the fossils, it was kept hush hush, since the owners didn’t want to delay the construction of the hotel
I was actually the manager of the revolving lounge for two years in the early 90′s. I could seriously write a book about all the stuff I saw happen there, not to mention all the nice and not so nice famous people I met. I always got a kick when I escorted someone to their table and it was in front of a pillar, they would say ” I want a table with a view” to which I would casually reply “wait 30 seconds and you will”. That happened about 20 times a day.
So “THAT’S” the history of this “Logan’s Run” like/”STAR WARS”: Imperial Senate Chamber hotel!
Nephew Timmy and I opted to stay at the circa-60′s Royal Viking in what is now… THE HOOD (the Las Vegas Foisel Family stayed there in the less intimidating days of 1965. “No wait. There WAS… something called THE WATTS RIOTS happening further downtown. I guess no time is without it’s violence and drama.”).
After a walking tour of downtown LA we retired to the veranda (carport roof) of the Royal Viking for burritos and the never-ending drama PROJECTED from the windows of the high rise, barrio, apartments directly adjacent.
My friends and I stayed in teh Bonaventure for four days. I love, love, LOVE that hotel! The mattresses are so soft I wanted to buy it and take it home! The lobby is MAGNIFICENT and the workout floor is amazing. I ran track there while my friends were in the workout room, watching The O.C. on their machines! I recommend this hotel!
I’ll be staying at the Bonaventure in just 3 weeks!! Can’t wait to have a drink in the revolving bar….and I might even just order a Pina Colada in your honor!
Aloha,
TK
I used to attend the BeatleFest Beatles conventions held there off and on from 1978 to 1989. Great memories. My friends and I would have “elevator races”. You’d plant an object just outside the elevator door on floor 16. Then starting from the bottom floor, you’d split up into the 4 elevators, ride to the top, stop to retrieve the planted object, and return to the lobby floor. 1st one wins. Of course, after I turned 21, we would simply have a few drinks at the top. Hmmm…I think I’ll take my date there this week….
Whenever I go in here, I’m reminded of the film LOGAN’S RUN (1976), which had a similar interior decor. This place in 30 years old this year! It also has a cameo in THIS IS SPINAL TAP.
Me and my college buddies back in 1982 had a dinner in chinatown and then went for a few beers at the revolving lounge. We were shocked that they charged 3.50 for a beer at that time. Fortunately it was a really clear evening and you could see the city lights spreading out to Santa Monica.