The Wiltern is a celebrated concert venue and Art Deco landmark at 3790 Wilshire Boulevard in the Koreatown neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Built in 1931 as the Warner Bros. Western Theatre, the 12-story Pellissier Building was designed by architect Stiles O. Clements of Morgan, Walls & Clements. Its striking blue-green glazed terra-cotta exterior and sunburst ceiling interior make it one of the finest examples of Art Deco architecture in the United States.
After decades of decline, the venue underwent a sweeping restoration beginning in 1981 and reopened on May 1, 1985, as a live music and performing arts destination. Now operated by Live Nation, The Wiltern hosts a year-round calendar of rock, pop, electronic, and indie acts, welcoming up to 1,850 guests for seated shows or 2,300 for general-admission standing concerts.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Koreatown, Los Angeles, California
- Address: 3790 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010
- Opened: 1931 (restored and reopened May 1, 1985)
- Capacity: 1,850 seated / 2,300 standing
- Operator: Live Nation (Los Angeles division)
- Architectural Style: French Zig-Zag Moderne Art Deco
- Famous for: Art Deco architecture and intimate midsize concert experience
An Art Deco Masterpiece
The Pellissier Building that houses The Wiltern rises 12 stories and 155 feet above the corner of Wilshire and Western Avenues, clad entirely in blue-green glazed architectural terra-cotta tile. The auditorium interior, designed by G. Albert Lansburgh with murals by Anthony Heinsbergen, centers on a dramatic sunburst ceiling where each ray resembles a miniature Art Deco skyscraper. On opening night in 1931, a bridge was constructed so that Hollywood luminaries including Clark Gable, Joan Crawford, and James Cagney could make grand entrances — a fitting debut for a building that has anchored Los Angeles’s cultural skyline ever since.
The theater originally housed the largest pipe organ in the western United States. A major restoration effort that began in 1981 — led by developer Wayne Ratkovich — saved the building from demolition and extended the stage by 15 feet, transforming it from a deteriorating movie house into a world-class performing arts venue. The complex was reopened in 1985 and has been a protected Los Angeles landmark ever since.
A Stage for Legends
Since its 1985 reopening, The Wiltern has earned a reputation as one of the premier midsize concert venues in the United States. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were among the first acts to grace the restored stage, and the venue has continued to attract a remarkable range of talent. In 2019, Madonna performed 10 consecutive concerts there during her Madame X Tour, drawing devoted fans from around the world.
The Rolling Stones recorded a live album at the venue, and countless critically acclaimed artists have chosen The Wiltern for intimate residencies precisely because of its ideal combination of capacity and acoustics. Its flexible floor — 1,200 permanent seats were removed in 2002 to allow standing configurations — lets promoters tailor the experience to each artist, making every show feel both accessible and special.
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The Wiltern FAQs
Where is The Wiltern located?
The Wiltern is located at 3790 Wilshire Boulevard in the Koreatown neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, at the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Western Avenue. It sits directly across from the Wilshire/Western Station on the Metro D Line.
What is the capacity of The Wiltern?
The Wiltern holds up to 1,850 guests for fully seated shows and up to about 2,300 for general-admission standing concerts. The flexible configuration was made possible after 1,200 permanent ground-floor seats were removed in 2002.
Who operates The Wiltern?
The Wiltern is operated by Live Nation’s Los Angeles division. The Pellissier Building itself is privately owned, but Live Nation manages the concert programming and day-to-day venue operations.
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Photo: Carol M. Highsmith / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.