If you’re visiting Los Angeles, especially as a photographer or film enthusiast, you might have heard of the Bradbury building already. Movie enthusiast recognize it from various films, such as “Blade Runner”, “500 Days of Summer”, or “The Artist”.[1] Photographers know the stunning interior and natural light of this glass top atrium.
The Bradbury Building is Easy to Find on S Broadway and 3rd in Los Angeles
It’s a surprisingly small and humble looking building in downtown LA at the corner of 3rd Street and Broadway. But after entering the building the effect of marble stairs, natural light, and perfectly laid out architecture is even more impressive. The 1893 office building is one of the oldest in Los Angeles and has been a historical landmark since 1971.[2] It was originally built for Lewis Leonard Bradbury who unfortunately never managed to see its completion in 1893 (he died in 1892).[2]
Unfortunately the upper levels are closed to the public, but even from the ground floor you have some amazing views of the interior.
Here are a few pictures of my photo tour through the building, shot with a Nikon D5200 and a 35mm f1.8 lens.
Natural light thanks to the glastop atrium 
Elevator and staircase inside the Bradbury building 
Playing around with bokeh in the Bradbury building 
Going upstairs in the Bradbury building 
Stairs inside the atrium
Sources
[1] Most Popular Titles With Location Matching “Bradbury Building – 304 S. Broadway, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA”
[2] Pacific Coast Architecture Database (PCAD)
