Theme Building – LAX

One of the peeves I have is being late, as much as I try to avoid it, sometimes its impossible to prevent especially during the holidays. So as I sit here at the terminal awaiting my flight, I decided to make the best of the 2 hour delay and walk over to the LAX Theme Building. I can gladly mark it off my bucket list of places to see in LA. The building is an icon of the Los Angeles, its one of the first buildings everyone sees when they first arrive to this crazy town.
Its located right in the center of the airport, its impossible to miss unless you are walking in the tunnels. The building used to house several restaurants but currently is vacant. Luckily LAX is keeping the observatory deck open to the public. The only down side it is only open on the weekends during day light hours. To access the deck, you will need to visit the front desk at the main lobby. The guard will take your id due to high security requirements in the area. Also must forewarn that there is no elevator access, you’ll have to climb several flight of stairs to the top.
Fortunately due to the winter, the sun sets much sooner, so if you time it right, you can view a beautiful orange glow casting over the city of Angeles. Its one of the rare spots to view the sunset due to its location. The biggest plus is watching these jumbo jets land and take off. As cool as I am, sometimes its hard to avoid feeling like a little kid watching these guys land. Truly enjoyable any time you are stranded at the airport or have a long lay over. Highly recommend hitting this spot.

A classic building that is iconic to LAX!

One of the coolest looking Los Angeles landmarks. Inaugurated by then VP Johnson during the Kennedy administration, this place is sure to bring memories for Angelenos and visitors alike.
The restaurant on top is vacant for now but the cafeteria down below is open for business.

Not much to say. It’s an iconic LAX building, you have to go at least once.

My fave cocktail bar in LA. I know, it’s kitsch. I like it.

Neat building off in the distance as you approach. Like Rebecca D. writes the first thought is that it is an alien tripod machine from War of the Worlds.
Seeing it up front and in person it is slightly less exhilarating than that — but still neat.

Love seeing this iconic building when I visit or have to fly out of LAX.
LAX is a hit and miss for me and never would come here if I didn’t have too.

I heard about the observation deck being a neat place to check out planes. I thought it was ok. You’re not that close to the runways to get a clear view plus you’re not that higher than the terminal buildings. If you want a closer look at landings, go to the park across the street from the In N Out by the north runway. Much better experience.

I’ve been waiting for the Theme Building to open for quite some time now after undergoing construction for years. Now that I finally got my chance to spend a couple of hours at LAX, I couldn’t miss out.
The building features a wonderful observation deck, which is open every day 8am-​5pm. All you have to do is sign in with the cop downstairs, take the elevator up, and you’re there. From the observation deck, you have 360 degree views of the entire airport, which is perfect for airplane photographers.
The only bad thing here is that the glass is reflective, which makes it tough to take clear photos. Other than that, a great spot for any aviation enthusiast who has plenty of time at LAX.

You don’t know how awesome this thing is until it’s right on top of you!

Above the famous Encounter restaurant, I can see LAX. The Gateway to the world.

It reminds me of an alien tripod machine from «War of The Worlds.» I feel like one of these days it’s going to detach it’s legs from the ground and start walking down Sepulveda enroute to El Segundo for some friendly demolition, hopefully destroying a few Prius’ on it’s way too!
A girl can dream, can’t she?

The theme building, despite what you might think about the restaurant called «Encounter» within, is essential Los Angeles retro-​future architecture.
This building symbolizes «the optimism of a futuristic Los Angeles in the space age,» and is the one unique part of an airport otherwise generally disliked — even though you get to take off over the beautiful blue pacific.
Has the building stood the test of time? Perhaps you find it anachronistic, or it makes you wax nostalgic for the recent lounge culture trend of the nineties. I’d side with Alan Hess and the disciples of Googie. I think it makes LAX worth seeing. For me, it’s on par with Terminal Five in NYC and The Gateway Arch (St. Louis) — both Eero Saarinen. Do yourself a favor next time you’re there and simply take a stroll around it – take in it’s size and structure. Admire the space it creates.
Bravo, Mr. Williams et al. I have one dry martini, just for you.

What a building; the Theme buidling who’s principal architect was Paul Williams (the architect not the actor-​singer). This building which is the most visible and enigmatic symbol of LAX is as remarkable today as it was when it was built yesteryear. This building represents a westward view of design, architecture. This view is, as I see it, as optimism /​futurism — that progress promised better things. The Theme Building is so important to keep us focused on the power of travel and transport. it seems so common to fly but there is something magical about time and place. At one time, there were observation decks at airports – this one not excepted – the top of the theme building use to be LAXs ob deck but not more. not sure how this is a security risk but that is what i understand is why the deck closed. one thing I do note when I fly in /​out o fLAX is that it is smaller than I expect but I love this building regardless. Size is not everything.