Louis Naidorf

Louis Naidorf (August 15, 1928 – August 13, 2025) was an American architect and educator based in Los Angeles. He was known for designing the Capitol Records Building, the Beverly Center, the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, and the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, as well as contributing to the master planning of Century City. He also founded the architecture program at Woodbury University in Burbank, serving as its chairman.

Background Naidorf was born in Los Angeles, California, on August 15, 1928. He developed an interest in architecture at a young age. He attended the University of California, Berkeley, earning his undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Naidorf died on August 13, 2025, at the age of 96.

Notable projects Capitol Records Building (Hollywood, 1956) – Iconic cylindrical tower, mid-century modern design, executed with Welton Becket & Associates. Santa Monica Civic Auditorium (Santa Monica, 1958) – Mid-century modern civic performance space. Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena (Los Angeles, 1959) – Multi-purpose indoor arena, demolished in 2016. Century City (1960s–1970s) – Master planning of commercial district.

Selected projects Year Project Location Type Notes 1956 Capitol Records Building Hollywood, California Commercial Cylindrical tower, mid-century modern; executed with Welton Becket & Associates 1958 Santa Monica Civic Auditorium Santa Monica Civic Mid-century modern performance space 1959 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena Los Angeles Civic / Sports Multi-purpose indoor arena; demolished 2016 1960s–1970s Century City Los Angeles Urban Planning Master planning of commercial district Early 1980s Beverly Center Los Angeles Retail / Mall Elliptical plan, central atrium, signature escalators 1970s–1980s Woodbury University Architecture Program Burbank Education Founded program and served as chairman