Up today, we’re featuring what just might be the West Coast’s most perfect art deco venue….
In 1925, James Oviatt was already a successful businessman. His department store, Alexander & Oviatt, had been attracting a high-end Los Angeles clientele in downtown LA for nearly a decade. He was in the midst of plans for their next expansion, a new building, constructed from the ground up…
… when he took a business trip to Europe. The original building design was in Italian Romanesque style, but luckily for us, he happened to find himself in Paris at the dawn of a new age… 1925 was the year of Paris Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes, the birthplace of Art Deco.
Oviatt was awed by these new designs, and upon his return to the States, he ordered the architects to construct the new building in the brand new style. He spared no expense, importing over ten tons of Lalique glass for use throughout the building.
And so the first true art deco building made its debut in Los Angeles in 1928 (and it included a 10 room art deco penthouse on top for Oviatt’s own residence.) The store closed in the 60s, but both the main space (a restaurant and venue now known as “Cicada“) and The Oviatt Penthouse are available for weddings and events, and they are the perfect backdrop to a Los Angeles art deco wedding. Take a look!
(also: If you are an art deco fan who happens to be visiting Los Angeles, be sure to check out the wonderful LA Conservancy and their incredible walking tours. They have an Art Deco Tour that features Cicada and the Oviatt Penthouse, and the other stops on the tour are a delight as well. They do great work!)
This incredible vintage style New York City wedding, from photographer Brian Hatton, is a straight-up stunner from start to finish. Dominique and Roberto flew 200+ guests and loved ones from Mexico to NYC to celebrate their vintage inspired wedding at the Central Park Boathouse. The couple’s portraits in the city and park are some of …
Up today we’ve got this lovely, romantic vintage style wedding in Orlando, FL, sent to us from Krista Lajara Photography. With delicate hues of pink and blush paired with bold gold, this sweet and elegant vintage inspired wedding is pure romance. Photographer: Krista Lajara Photography // Bridesmaid Dresses: Brooklyn, from Adrianna Papell + BHLDN // …
Absolutely adore this elegant 1920s style wedding in Hartford, Connecticut. Sent to us by photographer Michael Justin Studios, these two grooms celebrated their big day with carefully selected vintage design elements, a fabulous art deco venue and quite possibly the world’s best wedding tuxes (LOVE.) Click the images below for larger photos and more details …
The American love affair with trains and train travel may have waned a bit in recent times, but thankfully some of our most beautiful train stations are still around. There has always been a romantic appeal to rail travel, and even in cities where the stations are no longer a travel hub, we’re lucky that …
Art Deco Venue | Cicada + The Oviatt Penthouse
Up today, we’re featuring what just might be the West Coast’s most perfect art deco venue….
In 1925, James Oviatt was already a successful businessman. His department store, Alexander & Oviatt, had been attracting a high-end Los Angeles clientele in downtown LA for nearly a decade. He was in the midst of plans for their next expansion, a new building, constructed from the ground up…
Photo via Flickr user Floyd B. Bariscale
… when he took a business trip to Europe. The original building design was in Italian Romanesque style, but luckily for us, he happened to find himself in Paris at the dawn of a new age… 1925 was the year of Paris Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes, the birthplace of Art Deco.
Paris Art Exposition, c.1925
Oviatt was awed by these new designs, and upon his return to the States, he ordered the architects to construct the new building in the brand new style. He spared no expense, importing over ten tons of Lalique glass for use throughout the building.
And so the first true art deco building made its debut in Los Angeles in 1928 (and it included a 10 room art deco penthouse on top for Oviatt’s own residence.) The store closed in the 60s, but both the main space (a restaurant and venue now known as “Cicada“) and The Oviatt Penthouse are available for weddings and events, and they are the perfect backdrop to a Los Angeles art deco wedding. Take a look!
(also: If you are an art deco fan who happens to be visiting Los Angeles, be sure to check out the wonderful LA Conservancy and their incredible walking tours. They have an Art Deco Tour that features Cicada and the Oviatt Penthouse, and the other stops on the tour are a delight as well. They do great work!)
Related Posts
Vintage Style New York City Wedding | Dominique + Roberto
This incredible vintage style New York City wedding, from photographer Brian Hatton, is a straight-up stunner from start to finish. Dominique and Roberto flew 200+ guests and loved ones from Mexico to NYC to celebrate their vintage inspired wedding at the Central Park Boathouse. The couple’s portraits in the city and park are some of …
Vintage Style Wedding | Lauren + Jeff | Orlando, FL
Up today we’ve got this lovely, romantic vintage style wedding in Orlando, FL, sent to us from Krista Lajara Photography. With delicate hues of pink and blush paired with bold gold, this sweet and elegant vintage inspired wedding is pure romance. Photographer: Krista Lajara Photography // Bridesmaid Dresses: Brooklyn, from Adrianna Papell + BHLDN // …
1920s Style Wedding | Kurt + Justin | Hartford, Connecticut
Absolutely adore this elegant 1920s style wedding in Hartford, Connecticut. Sent to us by photographer Michael Justin Studios, these two grooms celebrated their big day with carefully selected vintage design elements, a fabulous art deco venue and quite possibly the world’s best wedding tuxes (LOVE.) Click the images below for larger photos and more details …
Vintage Venue | Union Terminal | Cincinnati, OH
The American love affair with trains and train travel may have waned a bit in recent times, but thankfully some of our most beautiful train stations are still around. There has always been a romantic appeal to rail travel, and even in cities where the stations are no longer a travel hub, we’re lucky that …