The building's iconic red light has blinked 'HOLLYWOOD' in Morse code continuously since 1956.
The 13th-floor balcony is not officially floor-numbered, as it was designed to accommodate the building's circular geometry.
Frank Sinatra recorded many of his most famous tracks in Studio A, utilizing the building's signature subterranean echo chambers.
The structure was designed to look like a stack of records, with the rectangular base serving as the 'sleeve' for the cylindrical tower.
A life-sized mural of jazz legend Miles Davis is painted on the building's north wall.
The Capitol Records Building is a 13-story landmark in Hollywood designed to resemble a stack of vinyl records with a stylus-shaped spire. Completed in 1956 by architect Welton Becket, it was the world's first circular office tower. The building serves as the headquarters for Capitol Records and houses legendary recording studios, including the echo chambers located 30 feet underground. The blinking light at the top of the tower spells out the word 'HOLLYWOOD' in Morse code. It is designated as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument. The structure is reinforced with concrete to withstand seismic activity, contributing to its distinct cylindrical shape. It remains an active corporate office and recording facility, meaning public access to the interior is generally restricted. The exterior architecture serves as a symbol of the Mid-Century Modern style in Southern California.
The sidewalk on Vine Street directly across from the building, providing a clear vertical angle of the record-stack design.
View the building from the corner of Vine Street and Yucca Street for the best perspective of the cylindrical architecture.
Visit during the evening to see the Morse code light flashing at the top of the spire.
Combine your visit with a walk along the nearby Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Do not attempt to enter the building, as it is a private office and professional recording facility with high-security access.
