Crossroads of the World, Los Angeles

The Crossroads of the World on Sunset Boulevard was once a thriving shopping centre. Although this is no longer the case today, it is still worth visiting.

The centre was designed in 1936 by Robert V. Derrah, around a central building that looks like an ocean liner with a 55 feet spire topped by a revolving globe. Around this a series of cottage-like bungalows, all of different architecture, give the area a village-like atmosphere.

The Crossroads are classed as a Los Angeles Historic/Cultural Monument and are on the National Register of Historic Places, and it is easy to see why. The “Cape Cod” buildings are a group of small structures representing the best of Early American architecture with their tall pitched-shingle roofs and chimneys; the “European Village” are two houses facing each other; they have half-timbering, turret towers and dormer windows; the “Moorish” house has Arabic arches, stenciled geometric designs on the walls and a minaret.

The “Spanish” building has a lovely red-tiled roof, graceful arches and balconies with wrought-iron railings; the “French” building has beautiful stained glass windows, amazing trompe-l’oeil shutters and a fleur-de-lys in bas relief on the chimney. The “California Mediterranean” building has lovely hand-painted tiling and the “Italian” building has Venetian arches, Corinthian columns and a loggia.

The area is surrounded by cobblestone pavements, outdoor seating areas, a wishing well, fountains and even a lighthouse. The beautiful trees include a 100-year-old Valley Oak, fig, peach, walnut and palm trees.

Until the 1960s, these buildings housed a French perfumery, a beauty salon, an Oriental Arts and gift shop, a Spanish cigar-maker, a ladies dress-shop and a handkerchief shop. In 1977, the Crossroads were bought and restored by Morton la Kretz. Today they are the offices of scriptwriters, music publishers, producers, film companies and casting agencies.

Why You Should Visit:
To see an iconic bit of LA architecture featured in many movies and to go back to a simpler time in Hollywood.
If you're interested in buildings with history, it's nice to make a quick stop here.