Beverly Hills City Hall in Beverly Hills, California, is closely associated with the “Beverly Hills Cop” films, where it appears as part of the Beverly Hills Police Department. In the original 1984 film, the grand civic building becomes the polished police headquarters where Detroit detective Axel Foley arrives after following a murder investigation to California. The location is a perfect visual contrast to Axel’s rougher Detroit background: instead of a gritty urban precinct, Beverly Hills gives him an ornate, elegant and unmistakably wealthy-looking police station. The building returned as part of the police headquarters setting in the sequels as well, including “Beverly Hills Cop II” and “Beverly Hills Cop III”, although the second film also used Pasadena City Hall for some of its police station material.
The real Beverly Hills City Hall stands at 455 North Rexford Drive and has been one of the city’s major landmarks since it opened in 1932. Designed by William J. Gage and Harry G. Koerner, the building is known for its Spanish Revival and Churrigueresque-inspired architecture, with its tiled dome, tower and richly decorated façade making it one of the most recognisable civic buildings in Los Angeles County. For film fans, it is especially tied to Axel Foley’s visits to Beverly Hills, but the building has also appeared in other productions, including “In a Lonely Place” from 1950. The location is still easy to recognise today, although some entrances and surrounding details have changed over the years.
Beverly Hills Cop
Beverly Hills Cop was shot partly in Michigan but mostly in and around Los Angeles, with that geographical split reflecting the story itself.
O’Neill House
The O’Neill House is best known as a filming location in two feature films: Breathless (1983) and 8 Million Ways to Die (1986).
The Viper Room
The Viper Room appears in Valley Girl (1983), The Doors (1991), Be Cool (2005), Daisy Jones & the Six (2023), and Walking the Edge (1985).
The Shelley
The Shelley appears in Seinfeld (1989–1998). In the series, it serves as the exterior of Jerry’s apartment, even though the character’s address is in Manhattan.
Griffith Observatory
Griffith Observatory appears in Rebel Without a Cause, The Terminator, Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, La La Land, Transformers, and many more.
Circus Liquor
Circus Liquor appears in Clueless (1995), Blue Thunder (1983), and Alpha Dog (2006).
Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica Pier appears in numerous productions, including The Sting, Forrest Gump, Ruthless People, Cellular, Iron Man, Her, Modern Family, and Seinfeld.
7 Days Liquor Store
In Superbad (2007), 7 Days Liquor Store is used for the scene in which Fogell, using his fake McLovin ID, goes into the liquor store to buy alcohol.
Tavern on Main
In 8 Million Ways to Die, Tavern on Main is used as The Keg Bar. The exterior of the bar is shown on Main Street, with Scudder’s apartment located behind it.
The Donut Hole
The Donut Hole has appeared in Moving Violations (1985), Dragnet (1987), and Calendar Girl (1993).
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