The current home of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, California, dedicated to the history, science and cultural impact of movie making, was once a MayCo department store.

Designed by architects Albert C. Martin and Samuel A. Marx, the emporium was opened in 1939 and was a glorious celebration of Streamline Moderne style, with long lines and curves suggesting aerodynamic design and an iconic corner cylinder covered in gold tiles.

Situated on the iconic Miracle Mile, the strip of Wilshire between Highland and Fairfax Avenues, photographs from its hey-day show elegant ladies in hats wandering around the lavish interior and browsing in departments such as perfume and homeware.

No doubt many customers also stopped for refreshments at the on-site Terrace Coffee Shop.

This delightful menu image shows a little female chef with wings descending from the clouds with a giant coffee pot.

The May Co department store on Wilshire was the company’s flagship store and continued in business until 1992 before laying empty for some time.

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures moved there in 2021 and the iconic building, with its gold cylinder corner intact and beautifully restored, remains one of LA’s historical landmarks and welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors a year.