Los Angeles Theatres: Mayan Theatre: recent exterior views

The theatre and its new high-rise neighbor to the north. Photo: Bill Counter - August 9, 2024

The big dig north of the Mayan and Belasco for the 60 story residential tower developed by the Onni Group. That's Olympic Blvd. on the left. Thanks to Mike Hume for getting this 2023 shot from Google Earth. See the page about the Mayan on his Historic Theatre Photography site.

A last look at the roof sign before the new building went up to the north. Photo: Mike Hume

Fencing was up and removal of asphalt had begun in the big parking lot at Olympic and Hill. Photo: Bill Counter - March 2022

A look in the Onni Group gate. Photo: Bill Counter - March 2022

It was reopening night after being dark since March 2020 due to Covid restrictions. The theatre didn't have a vertical when it opened but this one has been on the building since the 30s. Photo: Bill Counter - June 19, 2021

A view south by Ian Logan that appeared with "LA's Shuttered Movie Theaters and Venues Are Using Their Marquees to Speak to the City," an April 2020 Los Angeles Magazine story by Mr. Logan and Cindy Whitehead that included eleven additional photos. Thanks to Yasmin Elming for spotting it.

Another view south with a bit of the Belasco Theatre on the right. The elaborate paint job dates from the 1960s. Photo: Bill Counter - 2018

A view to the north. Photo: Bill Counter - 2018

Looking in at the entrance. The anodized aluminum doors are obviously not original. The ticket lobby used to be open to the street. Photo: Bill Counter - 2018

A look at the roof sign. When the building opened there was a neon roof sign that was a tower above the center of the facade that just said "MAYAN." This readerboard dates from the 30s. Photo: Bill Counter - 2018

The northwest corner of the building. Thanks to Shawn Dudley for his 2017 photo. It's one of five views in a post of his on the LAHTF Facebook page.

The LAHTF is actively involved in the study and preservation of the vintage theatres in the Los Angeles area. The group frequently supports events and offers tours of the buildings. www.lahtf.org | group Facebook page | official FB page

A view through the trees from the south. Photo: Shawn Dudley - 2017

A closer look at the warriors. Photo: Shawn Dudley - 2017

Looking up from under the marquee. Photo: Shawn Dudley - 2017

The vertical sign from the south. Photo: Shawn Dudley - 2017

The facade at night. It's a photo from the LAHTF Facebook page used to advertise their 2016 "all-about" tour of the theatre.

The facade from above. It's a shot from from Ian Wood's "Downtown Los Angeles" on Vimeo. He spent several months in 2014 shooting downtown theatres and other historic buildings from a drone that resembled "a mutant chicken." It's four minutes and forty five seconds of wonder that's not to be missed.

The Mayan from across Hill St. Thanks to Stephen Russo for his 2012 photo, one appearing on the LAHTF Facebook page.

The top of the facade. Thanks to Stephen Russo for his 2012 photo from the LAHTF Facebook page.

A corner view on a busy night in 2012. Thanks to Hunter Kerhart for his photo. Keep up with his recent explorations: HunterKerhart.com | on Flickr | on Facebook

The view from across the street in 2012. Photo: Hunter Kerhart

The theatre in a purple mood. It's a 2012 photo by Ken McIntyre.

Signage at night. Photo: Bill Counter - 2010

Another view of the vertical. Thanks to Mark Peacock for his 2010 photo. See his Vintage Theatres album on Flickr for other great work.

A nearly vertical view of the vertical. Thanks to Don Solosan for his 2009 photo.

A 2009 photo by Don Solosan for the LAHTF. Note that part of the roof sign neon was on.

The vertical from the north. Thanks to Don Solosan for his 2009 photo taken for the LAHTF.

The south end of the marquee at dusk. Photo: Don Solosan - LAHTF - 2009

The theatre during a blue phase. Photo: Don Solosan - LAHTF - 2009

A detail of the ornament on either side of the marquee. Thanks to Don Solosan for his 2009 photo taken for the LAHTF.

Another look at the front of the marquee. It's a shot from a forty photo 2008 Mayan Theatre album by Jeff Bridges on Flickr.

A tropical view south on Hill St. Photo: Ken McIntyre - 2007

Under the marquee looking south. Photo: Ken McIntyre - 2007

A marquee soffit detail. Photo: Ken McIntyre - 2007

The south face of the marquee. Photo: Bill Counter - 2007

Not much foliage in front. Photo: Bill Counter - 2007

A detail of the north window. Photo: Bill Counter - 2007

One of the vicious looking guys. Photo: Bill Counter - 2007

In the south exit passageway:

Looking east from the Hill St. end of the passage. The door at the left goes into the boxoffice area. At the end of the passage there's an open door from the side of the auditorium as well as an open doorway to get to the stairs to the stage basement. Photo: Bill Counter - 2016

The stairs to the stage basement at the end of the south passageway. Photo: Bill Counter - 2016

At the stage end looking back toward Hill St. Photo: Bill Counter - 2016

Looking up to the mid-balcony exit at house left end of the crossaisle.Photo: Bill Counter - 2016

Down the stairs from the mid-balcony exit. The exit at the top of the balcony on either side doesn't use the fire escape -- there are enclosed stairwells for those. That's the Belasco on the right. Photo: Bill Counter - 2016

A bit lower on the stairs. Photo: Bill Counter - 2016

A closer look at a reproduction of an ad for a 1930 production that's on the landing. Photo: Don Solosan - LAHTF - 2009

Over on the Belasco's fire escape looking toward the alley. Photo: Bill Counter - 2016

In the north exit passageway:

Looking toward the stage end of the passage. Exit doors to Hill St. are behind us. Photo: Bill Counter - 2016

A ladies room tucked in at the west end of the passage to satisfy ADA requirements. It's using part of what was a coat check room. The original restrooms are still in use but they're up in the balcony lobby. Photo: Bill Counter - 2016

An added men's room near the Hill St. end of the north passageway. It was a busy show the night before -- the staff hadn't had time to clean up yet. Photo: Bill Counter - 2016

A peek into the rear of the auditorium. Photo: Bill Counter - 2016

Looking toward the stage end of the passage. Photo: Bill Counter - 2016

The stage right stairs to the basement. Photo: Bill Counter - 2016

The view back toward Hill St. Photo: Bill Counter - 2016

The north side of the building:

Looking back toward the alley. Photo: Bill Counter - 2007

Looking south from Olympic Blvd. Down the alley note a bit of Julia Morgan's Herald-Examiner Building. The north half of the block has been a parking lot for decades but there's a new project proposed for the site. Photo: Bill Counter - 2013

Around the back:

The Mayan and Belasco stagehouses from up in the Case Hotel Building on the east side of Broadway. Thanks to Hunter Kerhart for his 2016 photo.

Checking out the ductwork on the roof of the Mayan stagehouse. Thanks to Keri Freeman for sharing her 2024 photo taken from the rooftop restaurant at the Hoxton Hotel.