Hollywood in Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Capitol Records Tower

— 1750 Vine Street —

Photographed by Craig Baker, August 18, 2024

1. Capitol Records Tower Marker

Inscription.
The world's first circular office structure was designed to resemble a stack of 45 rpm records. Artists recording in its studios since its completion in 1956 have included such luminaries as Frank Sinatra, Nat "King" Cole, Peggy Lee, Dean Martin, the Beatles and the Beach Boys. The rooftop beacon flashes "Hollywood" in Morse Code. The architects were Welton Beckett & Associates.

Erected by Hollywood Historic Trust - Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. (Marker Number 19.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument, and the The Beatles series lists.

Location. 34° 6.193′ N, 118° 19.596′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Hollywood. It is on Vine Street north of Hollywood Boulevard, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1750 Vine St, Los Angeles CA 90028, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hollywood Playhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Hollywood & Vine (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line);

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Knickerbocker Hotel (about 500 feet away); Bank of Hollywood (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Hollywood & Vine (about 500 feet away); Pantages Theatre (about 600 feet away); Hollywood and Vine (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Hollywood & Vine (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.

More about this marker. This marker is part of a series of 47 Hollywood Historic Site markers along a three-mile walking tour of historic Hollywood, beginning eastbound on the north side of Hollywood Blvd and ending westbound on the south side of Hollywood Blvd at Sycamore Ave.
The Hollywood Historic Site signs were originally installed circa 1999. They were updated and replaced in August 2024.

Regarding Capitol Records Tower. This building was not designed to resemble a stack of records. It was designed to be the first round office building west of the Mississippi River.

The photo on the original marker features a scale model of the building presented by Frank Sinatra.

This is Los

Capitol Records Tower Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, August 18, 2024

2. Capitol Records Tower Markers

Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument No. 857, designated in 2006.

Original marker text:
Capitol Records Building.
The world's first circular office structure was designed to resemble a stack of 45 rpm records. Artists recording in its studios since its completion in 1956 have included such luminaries as Frank Sinatra, Nat "King" Cole, Peggy Lee, Dean Martin, the Beatles and the Beach Boys. The rooftop beacon flashes "Hollywood" in Morse Code. The architects were Welton Beckett & Associates.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. - Hollywood Historic Site markers, walking tour with map.

Also see . . . Angels Walk L.A. Self-guided walking tour of historic Hollywood. (Submitted on February 15, 2026.)