Capitol Records Building

This iconic Los Angeles building is recognizable even to those who have never stepped foot in California. The tower is 13-stories in eight and has withstood numerous Southern California earthquakes. Originally, the height of the building was dictated by the earthquake restrictions which were later removed in the 1960's when other ways of protecting buildings were developed. When EMI bought Capital Records in the mid-1950's, they requested this building to be built at the famed intersection of Hollywood and Vine. Its location in the Hollywood Boulevard Commercial and Entertainment District is listed on the Registered Historic Places in Los Angeles. While the building's design was not intended to look like a record, many believe this is exactly what it resembles. There is a blinking light on top of the building that spells Hollywood in Morse Code in a marketing effort thought up by then-president of Capitol Records, Alan Livingston. The first record ever recorded in the building was Frank Sinatra Conducts Tone Poems of Color, released in 1956. Today, Capitol's famed echo chamber and studios in the building are still used for recording albums for the well-known record label. It is also a popular destination for tourist photos and often attracts the attention of visitors to the city.