Garnier Building

The Garnier Building, memory of the Chinese community of Los Angeles

Near the Plaza, the Garnier Building has seen far more than visitors pass through. Built at the end of the nineteenth century, it is closely linked to the history of the Chinese community of Los Angeles. The Los Angeles audio-guided tour stops here to evoke an important and sometimes painful page of the city's multicultural past.

An 1890 building by Philippe Garnier

Built in 1890 by Philippe Garnier, a visionary French entrepreneur, the building became a centre of life for the Chinese community of Los Angeles. Considered the oldest and most important structure linking this community to the city, it now houses a museum devoted to the history of Chinese Americans. It testifies to the diversity of the populations that built Los Angeles.

What to see

The building now houses the Chinese American Museum, which retraces the history and contributions of the city's Chinese community. Its old façade, near the Plaza, contrasts with the modern downtown. It is an essential stop to understand the multicultural dimension of Los Angeles, beyond its Hispanic origins alone.

Practical information

The Garnier Building lies near the Plaza de Los Angeles, in the El Pueblo district, in the centre of the city, reachable on foot. The museum it houses can be visited; its hours and prices vary by day and season, and it may be closed on certain days. It is best to check the conditions before coming.

Who built the Garnier Building?

The French entrepreneur Philippe Garnier, in 1890; the building became a centre of life for the Chinese community of Los Angeles.

What is found today in the Garnier Building?

The Chinese American Museum, devoted to the history and contributions of the Chinese American community of Los Angeles.