The architect of L.A.’s iconic Capitol Records building sets the record straight — again — on that needle

Architect Louis Naidorf had a disastrous 80th birthday cake. Naidorf says that Capitol Records co-founder and President Glenn Wallichs became irate when Naidorf presented him with a model and drawings of a round building, and “violently rejected” the design. “He thought it was a cheap stunt designed by a young guy to make the building look like a stack of records,” Naidorf says, laughing. His work is extraordinary.” Architect Louis Naidorf calls the spire on the Capitol Records building’s roof its “grace note.” Naidorf was born in Los Angeles in 1928. “What kind of an architect…,” Naidorf says, overcome with emotion and his voice breaking, “do you have to be not to hold that as better than any design award?” Opinion Capitol Records can stand on its own Capitol Records can stand on its own Though Naidorf had risen through Welton Becket & Associates’ ranks to become vice president, director of research and director of design, he grew increasingly unhappy after the firm’s merger with Ellerbe Associates.