David,

Thanks for drawing attention to the Fine Arts Bldg in downtown L.A. I think that it is one of the city’s unsung treasures. Whenever I lead an informal walking tour downtown, I am sure to include a step into that incredible lobby. When passing through those heavy bronze entry doors on Seventh St, it is like leaving early twentieth century America, and entering Byzantium.

[Ah, a touch of poetry on the blog. By coincidence I visited the building Sunday and the effect was much as you described it here. -- DA]