Stephen Gee Presents a Talk on John Parkinson: Iconic Vision

“Future citizens have only to walk through the streets of Los Angeles to be reminded

how much John Parkinson in his lifetime contributed to the city that grew up under his hand.” —Los Angeles Times

We're thrilled to welcome author Stephen Gee to do a presentation in our historic library at the PRS on iconic architect and historic Angeleno John Parkinson.

This event is part of our LA History Month Series. More info TBA!

John Parkinson was the most important architect in Los Angeles at a time when the city was inventing itself. His work includes many of the structures that four decades after his death continue to define the city. Until Stephen Gee wrote the definitive biography, Iconic Vision: John Parkinson, Architect of Los Angeles, however, few people really knew the innovations and impact Parkinson made while designing the architectural foundation of the City of Angels. Turn almost any corner downtown and you'll see Parkinson's stamp.

Los Angeles was little more than an agricultural cow-town with wide open spaces and bean fields to its east and west when John Parkinson arrived from England in 1894. What a growth spurt he witnessed! Parkinson is the design genius behind such iconic buildings as City Hall, Bullock’s Wilshire, the Memorial Coliseum, and Grand Central Market. He created the city's first Class "A" steel-frame structure, the Homer Laughlin Building (now Grand Central Market), and the city's first skyscraper, the Braly Block, at Fourth and Spring Streets. He designed the city's first world-class hotel, the Alexandria, and many of the banks that funded the city’s expansion. He created a master plan for the expansion of USC and designed many of the University's renowned structures, including the Bovard Administration Building.

By the time he died in 1935, Parkinson had been responsible for more than 200 of the city’s buildings, more than 50 of which still stand, shaping the city's unmistakable skyline. In his obituary, the Los Angeles Times declared, “Future citizens have only to walk through the streets of Los Angeles to be reminded how much John Parkinson in his lifetime contributed to the city that grew up under his hand.” What makes Parkinson’s story even more remarkable is that he was born the son of a mill worker in the industrial northwest of England. He had little training and became an architect almost by accident, transforming the burgeoning town into a booming city, with his signature on the architecture of banks, hotels, markets, and university buildings. After Parkinson’s death, his son Donald continued his projects and led the firm of Parkinson and Parkinson, seeing through to completion his father’s design for Union Station and thereby solidifying Parkinson's legacy throughout history.

Stephen Gee captures the entire Parkinson story in Iconic Vision: John Parkinson, Architect of Los Angeles.

Author Stephen Gee has worked on numerous award-winning TV productions. As a senior producer for GMTV, the UK's main TV morning news show, he coordinated coverage of the 9/11 attacks. The coverage won praise from Britain's Independent Television Commission. Based in Los Angeles for 17 years, Stephen has directed and produced coverage of high-profile news stories, including four U.S. presidential elections, as well as numerous natural disasters and important court cases. Stephen is a graduate of City University, London's prestigious postgraduate Newspaper Journalism course. He lives in Los Angeles. Iconic Vision is his first book.

Ticket price: $7 (for the first 5 tickets) $10 General Admission - in person event only.

Please email ZXZlbnRzIHwgcHJzICEgb3Jn or phone 323-663-2167 with any questions.

ACCESSIBILITY

PRS wants all guests to be able to enjoy our events safely and comfortably. If you require any accessibility accommodation, please reach out to ZXZlbnRzIHwgcHJzICEgb3Jn before showtime and we will be happy to assist you.

REFUND POLICIES

All sales are final. There are no refunds or exchanges for PRS events, except in the event of a medical emergency, including but not limited to a positive COVID-19 test.

In the event that PRS is forced to cancel an event entirely, tickets will be refunded or vouchers offered for a rescheduled event.

PARKING

Limited parking is available onsite at PRS in both the front lot (entry from Los Feliz Blvd. when heading east) and back lot (entry from first alley way, off Griffith Park Blvd. from intersection with Los Feliz Blvd.), as well as street parking on Griffith Park Blvd. and (after 7 PM) on Los Feliz Blvd. We encourage attendees to consider carpooling, walking or biking to events if possible, and please be considerate of our Los Feliz neighbors when parking, many thanks.

PRS EVENT POLICIES

• We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.
• Events are subject to change without notice, including guest speakers and/or performers.
• We encourage you to arrive at least 30 min. before the scheduled event start time to find parking, enjoy the Bookstore and take your seats.
• Please turn off all mobile devices before the show. Talking and texting are not allowed during the events.
• No filming, audio recording or mobile phone recording of events, screenings, concerts or other programs by audience members is allowed without permission.
• There is no smoking permitted on PRS grounds.
• We strongly encourage guests to wear masks to PRS events to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
• PRS allows Service Animals into the facility under ADA and state guidelines. For further details please visit www.ADA.gov. No animals permitted whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support, under ADA guidelines and CA Health Code.
• Please do not bring outside food or drink into PRS events.
• Weapons are strictly prohibited at PRS events.

Also check out other Workshops in Los Angeles, Arts events in Los Angeles, Literary Art events in Los Angeles.