{{Short description|Building in Los Angeles, California, US}} {{Use American English|date=February 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}} {{Infobox building | name = Capitol Records Building | image = Capitol Records sunset.jpg | image_size = 250px | caption = | alternate_names = Capitol Records Tower<br>Capitol Tower | address = 1750 Vine Street<br />[[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]], California<br />90028 | coordinates = {{coord|34.103085|-118.326189|region:US-CA|display=inline,title}} | construction_start_date = 1955 | completion_date = 1956 | building_type = Commercial offices | antenna_spire = {{convert|46|m|abbr=on}} | roof = | top_floor = | floor_count = 13 | elevator_count = 3 | embedded = {{Designation list|embed=yes|designation2=Los Angeles|designation2_number=857|designation2_date=November 15, 2006|designation1=NRHP|designation1_number=100010883|designation1_date=September 26, 2024}} | cost = | floor_area = <!-- {{convert||sqft|abbr=on}} --> | architect = [[Louis Naidorf]]<ref name=latimes/><br>[[Welton Becket|Welton Becket and Associates]] | architectural_style = [[Googie architecture|Googie]] | structural_engineer = | main_contractor = | developer = | owner = [[Argent Ventures]] 50%<br />[[Universal Music Group]] 50%<ref>[https://www.costar.com/article/1412609868/universal-music-group-buys-50-stake-in-owner-of-hollywoods-iconic-capitol-records-building Universal Music Group Buys 50% Stake in Owner of Hollywood's Iconic Capitol Records Building] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210003051/https://www.costar.com/article/1412609868/universal-music-group-buys-50-stake-in-owner-of-hollywoods-iconic-capitol-records-building |date=February 10, 2023 }} (Retrieved from CoStar.com news service on 16 October 2023)</ref> | operator = | public_transit = {{LACMTA link logo}}{{LACMTA icon strip|Red}} [[Hollywood/Vine (Los Angeles Metro station)|Hollywood/Vine]] | references = <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.emporis.com/buildings/116599 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107221216/https://www.emporis.com/buildings/116599 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |title=Emporis building ID 116599 |work=[[Emporis]]}}</ref><ref>{{glasssteelandstone|3663}}</ref><ref>{{skyscraperpage|4115}}</ref> }}
The '''Capitol Records Building''', also known as the '''Capitol Records Tower''', is a 13-story tower building in the [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]] neighborhood of [[Los Angeles]], California, United States. Designed by [[Louis Naidorf]] of [[Welton Becket Associates]], it is one of the city's [[List of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monuments in Hollywood|landmark]]s,<ref name="Chris">{{cite news|title=Critic's Notebook: Hollywood landmark at a crossroads|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-xpm-2011-may-29-la-ca-capitolrecords-20110529-story.html|access-date=18 April 2013|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=29 May 2011|first=Christopher|last=Hawthorne|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109161512/http://articles.latimes.com/2011/may/29/entertainment/la-ca-capitolrecords-20110529|archive-date=9 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> and is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]]. Construction began soon after British music company [[EMI]] acquired Capitol Records in 1955, and was completed in April 1956. Located just north of the [[Hollywood and Vine]] intersection, the Capitol Records Tower houses the consolidation of [[Capitol Records]]' West Coast operations and is home to the [[recording studios]] and [[echo chamber]]s of [[Capitol Studios]]. The building was designated as a [[Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument]] in 2006<ref name=latimes/> and sits in the [[Hollywood Boulevard|Hollywood Boulevard Commercial and Entertainment District]]. The Capitol Records Building, designed by architect Louis Naidorf is considered to be the world's first circular office building ever constructed.<ref>{{cite news |title=World's First Circular Building Readied Here |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/166913154 |access-date=10 June 2020 |agency=Los Angeles Times (1923-1955) |date=April 8, 1956|id={{ProQuest|166913154}} }}</ref><ref name=latimes>{{cite news |first=Pamela |last=Chelin |title=Louis Naidorf, architect behind L.A.'s iconic Capitol Records Building, dies at 96 |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2025-08-14/louis-naidorf-architect-capitol-records-building-dies-at-96 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |publisher= |date=2025-08-14 |access-date=2025-08-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250820183509/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2025-08-14/louis-naidorf-architect-capitol-records-building-dies-at-96 |archive-date=2025-08-20 |url-status=live}}</ref>
The building is known as "The House That Nat Built"<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=et1MelF41-QC&q=%22the%20house%20that%20nat%20built%22&pg=PA16349 | title=Congressional Record| access-date=24 December 2013}}</ref><ref name=Seetoo>{{cite web |last1=Seetoo |first1=John |title=A Visit to Capitol Studios |url=https://www.psaudio.com/copper/article/a-visit-to-capitol-studios/ |website=PS Audio |date=August 16, 2021 |access-date=7 October 2021 |archive-date=October 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027202737/https://www.psaudio.com/copper/article/a-visit-to-capitol-studios/ |url-status=live }}</ref> due to the vast number of records and merchandise [[Nat King Cole]] sold for the company.
==Design== The building's design is based on the graduate school drawings of Louis Naidorf who, as the primary architect, designed the first circular office building when he was 24 years old.<ref name=latimes/><ref>{{cite web|title=Millennium Hollywood: Lou Naidorf|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QptTZbaXvTI|work=YouTube|publisher=Google, Inc|access-date=September 25, 2013|author=MillenniumHollywood|format=Video upload|date=October 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017190050/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QptTZbaXvTI|archive-date=17 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=A star was born|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jan-16-wk-arch16-story.html|access-date=25 September 2013|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=16 January 2003|first=Jessica|last=Hundley|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317015020/http://articles.latimes.com/2003/jan/16/news/wk-arch16|archive-date=17 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The wide curved awnings over windows on each story and the tall spike emerging from the top of the building resembles a stack of [[gramophone record|records]] on a [[phonograph|turntable]] with the spindle pointing skyward.<ref name="kcet.org">{{cite video | people=Huell Howser; Sue Satriano| title=Exploring L.A. with Huell | url=http://kcet.org/explore-ca/huells/pop.php?ID=CAPITOL+RECORDS&Res=High | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071208045252/http://kcet.org/explore-ca/huells/pop.php?ID=CAPITOL+RECORDS&Res=High | medium=video | format=mp3 | location=Hollywood, California | publisher=KCET | archive-date=8 December 2007 | date=1988| access-date=22 September 2010}}</ref> This resemblance, however, was coincidental, as Welton Becket kept the client's identity secret. Upon first seeing the design, Capitol Records' president Glen Wallichs insisted on a rectangular building, so Naidorf provided Wallichs with both. Wallichs presented both designs to his lender, who felt the round design would attract attention, which would make it easier to lease. Wallichs conceded, choosing Naidorf's initial round design.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Myers |first1=Marc |title=The Truth About The Tower |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-truth-about-the-tower-1479505726 |website=Wall Street Journal |date=November 18, 2016 |publisher=Dow Jones & Company, Inc. |access-date=6 October 2021 |archive-date=October 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006215906/https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-truth-about-the-tower-1479505726 |url-status=live }}</ref> The rectangular ground floor is a separate structure, joined to the tower after completion.
The 13-story building conforms to the {{convert|150|ft|m|adj=on}} zoning height limit in place at the time of its construction. Height restrictions were lifted in 1956.<ref>{{cite web|title=L.A.'s Changing Skyline: A Brief History of Skyscrapers in the City of Angels|url=http://www.kcet.org/updaily/socal_focus/history/la-as-subject/las-changing-skyline-a-brief-history-of-skyscrapers-in-the-city-of-angels.html|work=KCET|publisher=KCETLink|accessdate=3 October 2013|first=Nathan|last=Masters|date=23 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203195052/http://www.kcet.org/updaily/socal_focus/history/la-as-subject/las-changing-skyline-a-brief-history-of-skyscrapers-in-the-city-of-angels.html|archive-date=3 February 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[thirteenth floor]] of the tower is the "Executive Level" and is represented by an "E" in the building's two elevators.<ref>{{Cite web|title=About|url=https://www.capitolrecordsbuilding.com/about-the-capitol-records-building|access-date=2020-06-10|website=Capitol Records Building|language=en|archive-date=September 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918105857/https://www.capitolrecordsbuilding.com/about-the-capitol-records-building|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Notable features=== The blinking light atop the tower spells out the word "Hollywood" in [[Morse code]]. (.... --- .-.. .-.. -.-- .-- --- --- -..)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Capitol Records Building Morse Code|url=http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/capitol-records-building-morse-code|access-date=2020-06-10|website=Atlas Obscura|language=en|archive-date=June 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610202508/https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/capitol-records-building-morse-code|url-status=live}}</ref> This was an idea of Capitol's then-president, [[Alan Livingston]], who wanted to advertise Capitol's status as the first record label with a base on the west coast. It was switched on by Leila Morse, granddaughter of [[Samuel Morse]].<ref name="kcet.org"/> During 1992, the light blinked "Capitol 50," in honor of the label's fiftieth anniversary.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-05-28-ca-57-story.html|title=Pop/rock|last=MacMinn|first=Aleene|date=1992-05-28|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035|access-date=2016-04-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221211210/http://articles.latimes.com/1992-05-28/entertainment/ca-57_1_capitol-records-building|archive-date=2016-12-21|url-status=live}}</ref> A black-and-white graphic of the building appeared on the albums of many Capitol recording artists, with the phrase, "From the Sound Capitol of the World".
In April 2011, Capitol Records and artist [[Richard Wyatt Jr.]] restored his Hollywood Jazz Mural on the south wall of the Capitol Records building.<ref>{{cite web|title=Capitol Records Jazz Mural restored!|url=http://millenniumhollywood.net/2013/01/30/capitol-records-jazz-mural-restored/|work=Millennium Hollywood|publisher=Millennium Hollywood Partners|access-date=18 April 2013|date=30 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525215122/http://millenniumhollywood.net/2013/01/30/capitol-records-jazz-mural-restored/|archive-date=2013-05-25|url-status=dead}}</ref> Restored in hand-glazed ceramic tile, the mural spans {{convert|26|by|88|ft}}<ref>{{cite news|title='Hollywood Jazz' mural lives on more brightly|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/culture/la-et-cm-hollywood-jazz-mural-20130219,0,1467048.story|accessdate=18 April 2013|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=18 February 2013|first=Randy|last=Lewis|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130220202614/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/culture/la-et-cm-hollywood-jazz-mural-20130219,0,1467048.story|archive-date=20 February 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Entitled "Hollywood Jazz: 1945-1972", it presents "larger than life" images of a number of notable jazz musicians.
===Capitol Studios=== {{Main|Capitol Studios}} The building houses the Capitol Studios, a recording facility which includes eight echo chambers engineered by guitarist [[Les Paul]] and three main studios, A, B, and C. [[Frank Sinatra]] had a close association with the studios, and the [[Georg Neumann]] [[Neumann U47|U 47]] microphone he carried around with him is there, often used and maintained for studio sessions. The first album recorded in the tower was ''[[Frank Sinatra Conducts Tone Poems of Color]]''. In 2012, Studio A received a new [[AMS Neve]] 88R mixing console, designed and built for [[Al Schmitt]] and [[Paul McCartney]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Capitol Studios|url=http://mixonline.com/recording/facility_profiles/capitol_studios|access-date=October 8, 2014|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=November 1, 2012|first=August|last=Brown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019160810/http://www.mixonline.com/recording/facility_profiles/capitol_studios/|archive-date=October 19, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Recent history== In September 2006, EMI sold the tower and adjacent properties for {{US$|50 million}} to New York developer [[Argent Ventures]]. The studio claimed that noise from construction of a [[Condominium (living space)|condominium]] threatened it, as well as an underground parking lot by building firm Second Street Ventures would have heavy equipment working within {{convert|18|ft|m}} of its renowned underground echo chambers, which are themselves over {{convert|20|ft|m}} below ground level.<ref name="poolmove">{{cite news | first=Bob | last=Pool | title=Capitol Fears For Its Sonic Signature | work=Los Angeles Times | date=June 18, 2008 | page=B2}}</ref>
In November 2012, [[Steve Barnett (music executive)|Steve Barnett]] was announced as the new Chairman and CEO of the Capitol Music Group and the company stated his office would be in the building.<ref>{{cite news|title=Steve Barnett to lead Capitol Music Group|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-steve-barnett-capitol-music-group-20121126,0,2641587.story|accessdate=3 October 2013|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=26 November 2012|first=August|last=Brown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121129034004/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-steve-barnett-capitol-music-group-20121126,0,2641587.story|archive-date=29 November 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> This coincided with Capitol Music Group becoming part of [[Universal Music Group]], assuring its new parent company two Los Angeles headquarters.
==Gallery== <gallery class="center" mode="packed-hover" heights="250"> File:Aerial Capitol Records Building.jpg|An aerial view of the Capitol Records Building File:CapitolRecords.jpg|Viewed from [[Hollywood and Vine]], 1997 File:Capitol Records Building LA.jpg|Parking lot mural titled ''Hollywood Jazz'' File:Capitolrecords 032806 kdh.jpg|Taken on 2006-03-28 File:Capitol Records Tower from 101 Freeway, Hollywood, CA (3).jpg|Viewed from the 101 Freeway </gallery>
==In popular culture== * The 2009-2010 series ''[[Life After People]]'' has one episode feature the Capitol Records Building crumbling 175 years after humans vanish, although the echo chambers are shown to have survived the collapse. * The 2005 video game ''[[Tony Hawk's American Wasteland]]'' features the Big Buck Building; players can skate down the building from the top to receive a giant needle for their skatepark.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamepressure.com/tonyhawksamericanwasteland/hollywood-3/z94ad|title=Tony Hawk's American Wasteland: Hollywood #3|date=May 11, 2016|access-date=July 17, 2025|website=gamepressure.com|publisher=[[Gry-Online]]}}</ref> * The 2013 video game ''[[Grand Theft Auto V]]'' features the Badger Building, based on the Capitol Records Building.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://gamerant.com/grand-theft-auto-v-locations-real-life/|title= GTA 5 Locations That Are Based On Real-Life|first1=Ritwik|last1=Mitra|first2=Ben|last2=Painter|date=May 19, 2024|work=Game Rant}}</ref> * The 1990 film ''[[The Adventures of Ford Fairlane]]'' features the building prominently in the climactic scene.<ref>{{cite web | title=The Adventures of Ford Fairlane (1990) - Filming & production - IMDb | website=[[IMDb]] | url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098987/locations/ }}</ref> * The 2004 film [[The Day After Tomorrow]] features the building being torn apart by a tornado.
==See also== {{Portal|Los Angeles}} * [[List of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monuments in Hollywood]] * [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Los Angeles]]
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Capitol Records Building}} *[http://www.capitolstudios.com Capitol Studios official website]
{{Greater Hollywood}} {{LAHMC}}
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Hollywood, Los Angeles]] [[Category:Capitol Records]] [[Category:Skyscraper office buildings in Los Angeles]] [[Category:Headquarters in the United States]] [[Category:History of Los Angeles]] [[Category:Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monuments]] [[Category:Landmarks in Los Angeles]] [[Category:Culture of Los Angeles]] [[Category:Office buildings completed in 1956]] [[Category:Welton Becket buildings]] [[Category:Futurist architecture]] [[Category:Modernist architecture in California]] [[Category:Round buildings]] [[Category:1956 establishments in California]] [[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Los Angeles]]