Also see: Variety Arts Theatre: history + exterior views
The outer lobby:
A 1924 Mott Studios lobby photo in the California State Library collection. It's one of twelve photos of the building in their set #001384324. Figueroa St. is off to the left, the inner lobby through the doors at the right. The doors were later removed.
A lobby view toward house right. The doors at the left go to the inner lobby. Straight ahead is the elevator lobby as well as stairs to the balcony. Photo: Mott Studios - California State Library - 1924
A lounge area. Photo: Mott Studios - California State Library - 1924
A lobby view from the 2012 Curbed L.A. story "Touring South Park's...1924 Variety Arts Theatre," about the use of the building for a haunted house extravaganza. It features a wonderful 25 photo set by Elizabeth Daniels.
A look toward the exit doors. That's the elevator lobby through the doorway at the left. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
Cap Equity brokers deals between various building owners and those seeking spaces for filming or other purposes. See their Variety Arts page for nearly 200 photos of the building. Thanks to Rebecca Reynoso for the use of the firm's photos.
The view back into the main lobby from the elevator lobby. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
Looking toward the house left side of the lobby and the boxoffice windows. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
The alcove beyond the boxoffice area with stairs to the basement and up to the balcony. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
The main lobby during renovations. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
The elevator lobby:
A look at the stairs up to the balcony from the elevator lobby, off the house right (south) side of the main lobby. It's from the October 1924 issue of Architect and Engineer. They gave the building a big spread including thirteen photos in an article entitled "A New Club Building in Southern California."
The elevator lobby. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
Looking toward Figueroa St. and into the main lobby. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
The elevators. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
The stairs house right, adjacent to the elevators. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
The elevator lobby during renovations. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
The inner lobby: 
The elevator lobby during renovations. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
A nook in the inner lobby. Photo: Architect and Engineer
- October 1924
A view in from the outer lobby. It's one of 72 photos from the Variety Arts Center page of the site The Location Portal. The firm represents property owners in negotiations with companies looking for locations for filming or special events.
The inner lobby looking toward house left. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
The inner lobby toward house right. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
The auditorium of the main theatre:
A main floor view. Photo: Mott Studios - California State Library - 1924
Another look toward the proscenium. Photo: Mott Studios - California State Library - 1924
The house left wall from the main floor. Photo: Mott Studios - California State Library - 1924
A house right vista in the balcony. Photo: Mott Studios - California State Library - 1924
A ceiling detail. Photo: Mott Studios - California State Library - 1924
The house left wall from the balcony. Photo: Mott Studios - California State Library - 1924
A look down the house left aisle. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
A look down the house left aisle. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
The view from the rear of the main floor house right. Photo: The Location Portal - c.2014
An evocative look to the rear. Photo: Elizabeth Daniels / Curbed L.A. - 2012
Another look to the rear. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
A classy view from Martin that had appeared on his now-vanished site You-Are-Here.
A classy view from Martin that had appeared on his now-vanished site You-Are-Here.
A view along the house left wall from the stage. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
An impressionistic view across the house. Things were smoky for the haunted house event. Photo: Elizabeth Daniels / Curbed L.A. - 2012
Across the front from house left. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
A look back up the side aisle. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
In the corridor leading to the house left side of the balcony. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
A peek into the balcony. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
The view across from house left. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
Up toward the booth. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
A look across the house from the sidewall arcade. Photo: The Location Portal - c.2014
A balcony view toward the stage. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
From the top of the balcony. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
Toward the rear of the auditorium along the house left balcony arcade. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
A ceiling detail. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
Across the balcony from house right. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
A look toward the empty stage. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
Toward house right. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
The rear of the 1,200 seat house. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
Let's go to the booth! Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
A look across from the side colonnade. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
Power: The company switch and main control area is off right. Whatever dimmer board was in the house in the 20s has been removed.
Dressing rooms: Stacked off left as well as in the basement.
Loading: The doors are upstage center, opening onto a parking lot behind the theatre.
Looking across from stage left. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
A dressing room corridor view. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
A basement dressing room. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
Another dressing room. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
In the trap room looking toward stage left. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
On the mezzanine looking out onto the outer lobby. Photo: The Location Portal - c.2014
On the 2nd floor. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
Another 2nd floor view. Photo: The Location Portal - c.2014
The entrance to the former library during renovations. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
A closer look at the fireplace area. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
The bar at the end of the space. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
Across the balcony from house right. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
The auditorium during renovations:
A look toward the empty stage. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
Toward house right. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
The rear of the 1,200 seat house. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
Let's go to the booth! Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
A look across from the side colonnade. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
Stage and stage basement:
Counterweight system: About 30 wire guide sets, operated at stage level stage right.
Flyfloors: Both stage left and stage right. There's a walkway between the two sides up against the back wall. Access is via a ladder on the back wall stage right.
Stage floor: Masonite over wood. It's all trappable.
Orchestra pit: Needs some work, including installation of a railing, to be usable again.
Counterweight system: About 30 wire guide sets, operated at stage level stage right.
Flyfloors: Both stage left and stage right. There's a walkway between the two sides up against the back wall. Access is via a ladder on the back wall stage right.
Stage floor: Masonite over wood. It's all trappable.
Orchestra pit: Needs some work, including installation of a railing, to be usable again.
Power: The company switch and main control area is off right. Whatever dimmer board was in the house in the 20s has been removed.
Dressing rooms: Stacked off left as well as in the basement.
Loading: The doors are upstage center, opening onto a parking lot behind the theatre.
The view from upstage right. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
Another shot from stage right. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
Another shot from stage right. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
Looking across from stage left. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
A look at the electrical installation and wire guide counterweight system stage right. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
A view from stage left during renovations. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
A view into the house. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
A dressing room corridor view. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
A basement dressing room. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
Another dressing room. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
In the trap room looking toward stage left. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
In the trap room looking toward stage right -- with stairs to the now-covered orchestra pit. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
Other basement areas:
The basement lounge area, used as a bar in the Variety Arts days. Photo: The Location Portal - c.2014
Another look at the basement bar area. Photo: The Location Portal - c.2014
The bar during renovations. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
Another bar view. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
The bar during renovations. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
Another bar view. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
A basement restroom. Photo: The Location Portal - c.2014
Another basement restroom view. Photo: The Location Portal - c.2014
The restroom during renovations. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
The restroom during renovations. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
The electrical service gear. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014. See their page for photos of other basement areas.
Lost in the basement during renovations. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
Another basement view. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
The basement was once full of items left over from Milt Larsen's Variety Arts days. As seen in the photos above, most of that was cleared out during the renovations. It's unknown where it all went. Thanks to Michael Zyda for this 2011 photo of changeable neon letters stored in the basement. It's one of 67 photos he took in 2011 that can be seen in a post on the DTLA Development Facebook page.
The mezzanine between 1st and 2nd floors:
On the mezzanine looking out onto the outer lobby. Photo: The Location Portal - c.2014
On the 2nd floor. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
The space dressed up for a Halloween haunted house. Photo: Elizabeth Daniels / Curbed L.A. - 2012
Another 2nd floor view. Photo: The Location Portal - c.2014
The entrance to the former library during renovations. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
A closer look at the fireplace area. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
The bar at the end of the space. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
The smaller upstairs theatre, 3rd floor:
A corner of the room. Photo: Architect and Engineer - October 1924
The lobby area for the smaller theatre. The elevators are behind us. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
A peek in toward the proscenium. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
The room with an earlier paint job. This 3rd floor theatre has a capacity of about 250. When Milt Larsen
had the building he called it The Masquers Theatre. Photo: Elizabeth Daniels / Curbed L.A. - 2012
A main floor view of the small theatre. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - c.2012
The area on the mezzanine at the rear of the small theatre. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
The area on the mezzanine at the rear of the small theatre. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
A look down toward the stage of the 250 seat third floor theatre from the mezzanine level between 3rd & 4th floors. Photo: The Location Portal - c.2012
The rear of the third floor
theatre. Photo: The Location Portal - c.2012
The theatre during renovations. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
The theatre during renovations. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
The 4th floor ballroom space:
The foyer outside the ballroom/dining room. The windows on the left overlook Figueroa St. Photo: Architect and Engineer
- October 1924
The ballroom, here set up for a meal. We're looking east with the entrance to the kitchen behind the screen at the end of the room. Photo: Architect and Engineer
- October 1924
A peek into the ballroom from the lobby area. Photo: The Location Portal - c.2014
The 4th floor ballroom set up as a club. We're looking toward Figueroa St. Photo: The Location Portal - c.2014
Looking down into the ballroom after a bit of demo. Photo: The Location Portal - c.2014
A view back toward the kitchen. Photo: The Location Portal - c.2014
Looking back toward the ballroom lobby fronting on Figueroa St. Photo: The Location Portal - c.2014
The ballroom during renovations. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
The east end of the space. The kitchen is beyond. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
The 4th floor kitchen, on the east end of the ballroom. Photo: The Location Portal - c.2014
The kitchen during renovations. That bricked-in stack is one of the two smoke vents coming up from the theatre's stagehouse. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
Another kitchen view. We're at the east end of the building. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
The 5th floor:
Outside the elevators, on the southwest corner of the building. The rooms off to the left of the corridor overlook Figueroa St. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
Outside the elevators, on the southwest corner of the building. The rooms off to the left of the corridor overlook Figueroa St. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
Farther down the corridor. Photo: The Location Portal - c.2014
The corridor during renovations. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
The north end of the corridor. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
In the wood paneled room. We're looking west with the windows overlooking Figueroa St. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
A 5th floor meeting room. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - 2014
The meeting room during renovations. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
Another room on 5. Photo: Cap Equity Locations - July 2019
Thanks to The Location Portal for all their photos. Visit the Variety Arts Center page of their website for several hundred photos of all areas of the building. The firm represents property owners in negotiations with companies looking for locations for filming or special events. They can be reached at 310-928-3456.
| Downtown: theatre district overview | Hill St. and farther west | Broadway theatres | Spring St. theatres | Main St. and farther east | downtown theatres by address | downtown theatres alphabetical list |
| Westside | Hollywood | Westwood and Brentwood | Along the Coast | [more] Los Angeles movie palaces | the main alphabetical list | theatre history resources | film and theatre tech resources | theatres in movies | LA Theatres on facebook | contact info | welcome and site navigation guide |
No comments:
Post a Comment