This unusual building was designed to look like an ocean liner and was once the headquarters of Coca Cola’s bottling operations. Helping the building look like a ship are various design add-ons such as portholes, cargo doors, and a large bridge on top. To construct the building, four other buildings on the site had to be remodeled to fit in with the ship plans. The huge edifice was built in 1937 and designed by architect Robert V. Derrah; today, it still stands as one of L.A.’s most famous buildings. Architect Derrah created this manufactory for Coca-Cola right around the same time he designed Crossroads of the World, also ship-shaped, on Sunset. For this landmark Coke plant, Derrah built the project around a handful of existing buildings, including the company’s 1927 plant, so I reckon it’s more of a re-design. Streamline Moderne in design, it’s got all the boat things, with portholes, catwalk, promenade deck, hatches, rivets, and the confounded bridge.
