{"nrhp_refnum":"78000687","name":"Million Dollar Theater","other_names":["Edison Building"],"category":"building","location":{"address":"307 S. Broadway","address_restricted":false,"city":"Los Angeles","county":"Los Angeles County","state":"CA","lat":34.050842432000024,"lon":-118.24904349099995,"geom_source":"nps_gis"},"listed_date":"1978-07-20","is_nhl":false,"nhl_designated_date":null,"areas_of_significance":["Entertainment/Recreation","Architecture"],"significance_levels":["state"],"summary":{"what_it_is":"A twelve-story office building with a theater in its lower two floors, at 307 South Broadway on the southwest corner of Broadway and Third Street in downtown Los Angeles, built in 1917 and designed by Albert C. Martin.","why_significant":"The nomination argues the building is architecturally unique in downtown Los Angeles, combining American Commercial and Spanish Renaissance motifs. It was also a leading structure on Broadway when built, tied to promoter Sid Grauman, and its success helped establish other theaters in the district.","narrative":"Rising twelve stories at the corner of Broadway and Third Street in downtown Los Angeles, this 1917 building combines offices with a theater on its lower two floors. Architect Albert C. Martin designed it, and William L. Wollett of San Francisco handled the detailing of the lobby and auditorium. The exterior mixes American Commercial and Spanish Renaissance motifs, with terra cotta, molded theatrical figures, an ornate arched entrance, spiral columns and large decorative pendants. Sid Grauman, the motion picture promoter, controlled the theater, while the Edison Company occupied the offices above. Its success encouraged several other theaters along Broadway and helped shape the character of the district. Later changes include a remodeled lobby, new shop frontage and a new marquee, but the auditorium keeps its original proscenium, organ screen, hanging lamps and terra cotta work. It was listed for its architecture and its role in the development of Broadway as a theatrical and commercial center.","period_of_significance":"1917","architect_builder":"Albert C. Martin (architect); interior detailing by William L. Wollett (spelled Woolett in the significance statement)","architectural_style":"Combination of American Commercial and Spanish Renaissance (reviewers also note Spanish Renaissance/Baroque Revival)","criteria":[],"status_note":"Described as in excellent condition and occupied; the auditorium is nearly intact, while the lobby, shop frontage and marquee have been remodeled or added. It still offers occasional live stage entertainment.","vacant_flag":false,"machine_generated":true,"model":"claude-sonnet-5-5","prompt_version":"v1.0-2026-10-29","generated_at":"2026-10-29 02:55:31.572784-05","source_pdf":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/electronic-records/rg-079/NPS_CA/78000687.pdf"},"photo":{"url_800":"https://nationalhistoricalregister.com/media/78000687/aa3ddea77b-800.webp","url_1600":"https://nationalhistoricalregister.com/media/78000687/aa3ddea77b-1600.webp","licence":"CC BY-SA 4.0","author":"Shesmax","credit_html":"<a href=\"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Los_Angeles._Million_Dollar_Theater._2022-03-02_14-00-15_(panorama).jpg\" rel=\"noopener\">Shesmax</a>, <a href=\"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0\" rel=\"license noopener\">CC BY-SA 4.0</a>, via Wikimedia Commons","source_page":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Los_Angeles._Million_Dollar_Theater._2022-03-02_14-00-15_(panorama).jpg"},"district":{"nrhp_refnum":"79000484","name":"Broadway Theater and Commercial District","url":"https://nationalhistoricalregister.com/districts/california/broadway-theater-and-commercial-district-79000484/"},"sources":{"nps_snapshot_date":"2026-05-22","nara_catalog":"https://catalog.archives.gov/id/123859321","wikipedia":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Million_Dollar_Theatre","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12061810"},"indexable":true,"url":"https://nationalhistoricalregister.com/california/los-angeles-county/million-dollar-theater-78000687/"}