With its iconic copper-clad tower looming over Wilshire Boulevard, the Bullock?s Wilshire has been a celebrated element of the Los Angeles cityscape since its opening in 1929. Known for its lavish Art Deco aesthetic, the department store made its mark as a prime shopping destination in a city filled with celebrities. But the Bullock?s Wilshire was more than a glamorous retail space; with a design centered around the automobile, it was to set a new standard for how businesses adapted to a rapidly changing urban environment.

Gjura Stojano?s mural ?The Spirit of Sports? was the centerpiece of the Sportswear Department. ImageCourtesy of Balcony Press

With its iconic copper-clad tower looming over Wilshire Boulevard, the Bullock?s Wilshire has been a celebrated element of the Los Angeles cityscape since its opening in 1929. Known for its lavish Art Deco aesthetic, the department store made its mark as a prime shopping destination in a city filled with celebrities. But the Bullock?s Wilshire was more than a glamorous retail space; with a design centered around the automobile, it was to set a new standard for how businesses adapted to a rapidly changing urban environment.
A 1946 postcard with the Bullock?s Wilshire in the background. Imagevia digitalpostercollection.com

It is unsurprising that this shift occurred in Los Angeles. The city thrived in the early 20th Century, and especial...