Archive and Events
Southwestern Law School has occupied the historic Bullocks Wilshire building since 1995, following the closure of the iconic department store. As demonstrated by the award-winning adaptive reuse and restoration work by and on behalf of Southwestern, the school is dedicated to continuing to support the preservation of this architectural treasure and the legacy of the department store that was once synonymous with the glamour of Hollywood.
To be notified of future salon and Friends of Bullocks Wilshire events, please join our Friends of Bullocks Wilshire mailing list.
Join the Friends of Bullocks Wilshire Mailing List
Since its construction in 1929, the Bullocks Wilshire Building has been a proud part of Los Angeles history. It was designated a Los Angeles Cultural Monument in 1969 and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1978. Today, the Bullocks Wilshire Building is both a beloved iconic landmark for the city and a vibrant academic center for training future leaders of the community. In 1994, Southwestern Law School purchased the landmark Bullocks Wilshire Building from the R.H. Macy Company- an event that marked the beginning of a new era for the law school and the building. Since then, the former department store has undergone extensive restoration and renovation, reclaiming its original art deco glamour in an adaptation that has created a stunning law library, a functioning courtroom, classrooms, offices, and spectacular public rooms for a variety of functions.
Bullocks Wilshire Open House Weekend
Saturday, August 3, and Sunday, August 4, 2024.
Because it is part of the Southwestern Law School campus, the Bullocks Wilshire Building is not open to the public on a day-to-day basis. However, once a year, the building is open to the public for two special events.
Open House Sunday
Sunday, August 4
This is a great opportunity for the public to enjoy the treasures of this historic landmark, where our self-guided tour pamphlets will be provided to help you explore the building throughout the day.
Available start times:
10:30 a.m. | 11:00 a.m. | 11:30 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. | 12:30 p.m.
Tea and Tour Saturday
Attendees’ travels to the past begin with a docent-led tour of the restored architectural jewel that is the Bullocks Wilshire Building. This fully guided tour is only offered to the public once a year and includes every major section of the restored building. It includes rare glimpses at the original walnut-laden office of John Bullock, a prime view of the Bullocks Wilshire tower from the Dean’s private balcony, the southwestern flair of the Salle Moderne, and the chinoiserie of the Coco Chanel Room.
Each of the first five tours culminates with a luncheon, and the last tour ends with high tea - all of which feature specialty items from the original Bullocks Wilshire menu served seated on linen and china in the legendary Tea Room. All those on our mailing list will receive an invitation to this event. Join the mailing list.
Tea and Tour reservations have sold out. Those who support Friends of Bullocks Wilshire at the Sponsor Level ($100) and above receive early access to registration. Consider becoming a Sponsor Level Donor to receive early registration for next year.
All purchases are final. Tickets are non-refundable.
The Bullocks Wilshire Salon Series
With the new Bullocks Wilshire Salon Series, the public may once again explore this architectural jewel and reflect on the many ways Bullocks Wilshire has shaped Los Angeles. Each Salon will feature a special guest lecturer discussing a Bullocks Wilshire-related topic, such as Art Deco design and architecture, 20th Century Fashion, or the many Hollywood legends who once shopped here.
**Minimum guest age is 12.
- Past Events
Past Salons
The Architecture and Design Legacy of Jock Peters
featuring Christopher Long,
Author of "Jock Peters, Architecture and Design: The Varieties of Modernism"
Thursday, March 9, 2023, at 7:00 p.m.
In-person at Southwestern Campus
Join us as author Christopher Long delves into the architectural and design legacy of Jock Peters in one of Peter’s greatest masterpieces, Bullocks Wilshire. The event includes a self-guided tour of the main floor, an author talk, a Q&A session, and a light dessert reception, during which Long will autograph books. Participants will also have the opportunity to view a variety of beautiful vintage items from our new Bullocks Wilshire Fashion Archive.
Due to limited spaces, we anticipate that the event will sell out quickly.
Pricing and Parking
The cost of attendance is $75. To be notified when registration opens, send your name, email, and address to Events@SWLaw.edu.
Complimentary parking is available in our parking structure on the day of the event. The parking entrance is located at Wilshire Place and 7th street. Visit www.swlaw.edu/directions for a map and directions.
About "Jock Peters, Architecture and Design: The Varieties of Modernism"
Scholar and historian Christopher Long turns his attention to the German-born architect and designer Jock Peters (1889-1934), a largely forgotten figure of early Los Angeles modernism. His most notable works include the iconic Bullock’s Wilshire store in Los Angeles, the once-famous Hollander department store in New York City, and his dynamic sales office for Maddux Air Lines. This visually rich study captures the varieties of modernism that define Peter’s work—including his film sets for Famous Players-Lasky—and includes never-before-published material from the architect’s personal archive, still in family hands. These remarkable images, alongside Long’s insightful and lively narrative, demonstrate how Peters, despite his early death, managed to leave his mark on the modernist landscape in Southern California at a time when the new style was just emerging.
About the Author
Christopher Long is Martin S. Kermacy Centennial Professor of Architectural History at the University of Texas at Austin. He has published widely on modern architecture and design in Central Europe and the United States. His many books include Paul T. Frankl and Modern American Design (New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2007); Kem Weber: Designer and Architect (New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2014); The Rise of Everyday Design: The Arts and Crafts Movement in Britain and America; exhibition catalogue, co–edited with Monica Penick (New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2019); Essays on Adolf Loos (Prague: Kant, 2019); and Jock Peters, Architecture and Design: The Varieties of Modernism (New York: Bauer and Dean Publishers, 2021).
Jean Harlow at Bullocks Wilshire
Featuring Darrell Rooney,
Author of “Harlow in Hollywood”
Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at 7:00 p.m.
In-Person at Southwestern CampusJoin us as author Darrell Rooney delves into the life of Jean Harlow, touching on the time she spent at Bullocks Wilshire and the complicated relationship with her mother and Hollywood.
The event includes an author talk, an opportunity to recreate photos taken of Jean Harlow at Bullocks Wilshire, a book signing & Q&A session, as well as self-guided tour of the Salle Moderne, Cactus Lounge, and legendary Bullocks Wilshire Tea Room. Participants will also have the opportunity to view a variety of beautiful vintage items recently acquired for our Bullocks Wilshire Fashion Archive.
Pricing and Parking
The cost of attendance is $35.
Complimentary parking is available in our parking structure on the day of the event. The parking entrance is located at Wilshire Place and 7th street. Visit www.swlaw.edu/directions for a map and directions.
About the Presentation
The greatest influence in movie star Jean Harlow's short life was her mother. Mrs. Jean Bello, whose birth name was Jean Harlow, had always wanted to be a movie star. But the fates smiled on her daughter rather than her, and Mrs. Bello became what would now be called; a "Momager." She ran her daughter's career. The youthful blonde beauty, Harlean, took her mother's maiden name to be a movie star and therein fulfilled her mother's fantasy. While Jean Harlow was known around the world as a self-possessed platinum-blonde beauty, the truth was she remained slavishly devoted to her mother's control. During Harlow's spectacular reign in Hollywood, she struggled to find her identity separate from the one Hollywood and her mother had given her. This clash between who she intrinsically was and who her mother wanted her to be, would lead to dire consequences for both of them.About the Author
Darrell Rooney has one of the world’s most significant collections of Jean Harlow photographs and memorabilia. A Hollywood insider, Rooney is an animator and director best known for his Annie Award-winning direction of The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride. Harlow in Hollywood, which came out in 2011, is his first book. Due to its popularity, an updated edition was released in 2022.
In 2022, Southwestern established the Bullocks Wilshire Fashion Archives, a collection of more than 200 items sold by Bullocks Wilshire during the years the store existed, 1929–1994.
To view all archive items, please visit our Flickr album.
Donate
If you have an item of clothing or ephemera related to Bullocks Wilshire that you would like to donate, please contact our Archivist at SHalpert@swlaw.edu.