The 5 greatest Googie-style buildings in Los Angeles

Googie is an architectural style popular in the mid-20th century and created in LA that captures the futurism of the time with buildings marked by aerodynamic lines, vaulted roofs, and gorgeous signage that played to the automobile age. Chips is a classic example of this popular style and has been in continuous operation since it opened in 1957.

This restaurant, designed by the influential architectural firm of Armet & Davis, exemplifies Googie style. It’s also the oldest location of the Norms chain, which has locations around Southern California and is a quintessential California coffee shop.

Pann’s is a perfect California coffee shop. Opened by George and Rena Panagopoulos in 1958 and designed by the legendary Armet & Davis, it’s on the way to LAX so always a good way to say goodbye or hello to Los Angeles. The neon sign, like the fried chicken, is a thing of beauty.

It’s worth crossing Fairfax Avenue from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art to see this shuttered example of a Googie coffee house. Designed by Armet & Davis and opened in 1956, this space held a series of coffee shops before closing in 2000. Since then, the building has been used strictly as a film location.

Googie was a popular style, not an elite one, so it’s no wonder the finest examples are places of everyday experiences – coffee shops, gas stations, grocery stores. Architect William Pereira originally designed the swooping boomerangshaped roof for LAX, but when it wasn’t used there, he repurposed it here.