Shoppers browsing smartphones and laptops at 802 S Broadway are doing so under an ornate ceiling modeled after the Paris Opera House.
The Tower Theatre, originally constructed as a 1927 movie palace, now operates as an Apple retail store, bringing modern technology into a space defined by its classic architecture.
A history of entertainment firsts
When the venue first opened its doors in 1927, it was a massive technological pioneer for the city. It was the very first theater in L.A. wired for talking pictures.
It was also one of the first local venues to install air conditioning.
The building was the first movie palace designed by architect S. Charles Lee. This launched his career, and he eventually became one of the most prolific motion picture theater designers on the West Coast.
French design meets L.A. architecture
The building’s stunning aesthetic is heavily layered. The ornate interior draws direct inspiration from the Paris Opera House.
Meanwhile, the exterior features a Renaissance Revival style. It beautifully mixes French, Spanish, and Italian architectural elements.
From newsreels to a retail restoration
As the entertainment landscape shifted in the 1950s, the venue changed its focus. It transitioned to showing short-form newsreels and officially changed its name to The Newsreel Theater.
It operated under this format for decades before finally closing its doors in 1988.
The gorgeous structure sat vacant for 30 years until Apple took over in 2018. The company launched an extensive, multi-year renovation to restore the surviving architectural details.
They carefully outfitted the interior space for modern retail. The doors finally reopened in 2021, making the historic theater accessible to the public once again.
For more, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and now WhatsApp!
