About
A Culinary Journey at the Heart of Downtown LA
Chef Neal Fraser’s flagship restaurant Redbird features Modern American cuisine that is refined yet approachable and highlights the multi-cultural influences of Fraser’s native city – Los Angeles. As a follow up to Grace and BLD, Fraser’s menu features seasonal plates ranging from snacks or “kickshaws” to entrees meant to be enjoyed by the whole table. An extensive cocktail menu by Tobin Shea features well-balanced, bespoke renditions of the classics and has garnered him awards such as Time Out’s Best Restaurant Bar Program. Wine Director Jaime Arzate’s selections are well rounded with great finds from both established and emerging wine regions throughout the world and the list has received many awards including “Top 100 wine restaurants in the United States” by Wine Enthusiast and the “Best of Award of Excellence” from Wine Spectator.
Located in downtown Los Angeles, Redbird is carved into one of the city’s most historic architectural gems, inside the former rectory building of Vibiana – the cathedral-turned-event-venue also owned and operated by Fraser. Designer Robert Weimer created a dynamic space that pays homage to the cathedral next door and the existing timeless architecture by inserting simple modern forms to complement rather than overtake the feel of the rooms. The result is a warm and comfortable considered space.
Redbird is recognized by the Michelin Guide (California) and 50 Best Discovery. In addition, Redbird | Vibiana received the Los Angeles Conservancy’s 2019 Preservation Award Chair’s Award. The Chair’s Award is the LA Conservancy’s highest recognition celebrating the persistence, creativity and ultimate success of the revitalization for adaptive reuse of the cathedral, rectory building and surrounding property. Recipients are selected by a jury of experts in architecture, historic preservation and community development.
The History of the Redbird and Vibiana Property
Completed in 1876, the former Cathedral of St. Vibiana is one of Los Angeles’ few remaining nineteenth-century landmarks. The city’s first cathedral was a stunning work of architecture in a town still emerging from its pueblo origins. Inspired by the Los Angeles bishop’s childhood church in Spain, W.J. Matthews and Ezra F. Kysor modeled the cathedral’s facade in the Italian Baroque style. In 1922, Architect John C. Austin enlarged the structure and added a new facade of Indiana limestone. St. Vibiana’s Cathedral was designated a Los Angeles Cultural Monument in 1963.
Following the 1994 Northridge earthquake, the Archdiocese concluded that the structure sustained irreparable damage and would need to be replaced. After much deliberation, St. Vibiana’s was decommissioned and a new cathedral, Our Lady of the Angles, was then built just a few blocks away.
In 1999, Tom Gilmore and Jerri Perrone, developers championing the revitalization of downtown L.A., purchased the former cathedral. Taking advantage of the new Adaptive Reuse Ordinance, they created a vision for the former cathedral as a centerpiece of downtown’s revival. Shortly thereafter, a team of architects and structural engineers began the seismic retrofit and renovation work. Great care was taken to seismically reinforce the structure while painstakingly restoring its century old historic details.
The Cathedral of St. Vibiana reopened as an event venue, now known simply as Vibiana, in 2006. The following year, the lantern was reattached by crane to its bell tower, restoring the building’s iconic look; it had been removed in 1996 when the Archdiocese began demolition. Today, the venue hosts a wide range of events, including fashion shows, fundraisers, live entertainment, wedding ceremonies and receptions. The historic rectory, originally constructed in 1934, remained unfinished until 2012 when Chef Neal Fraser took over the property and began construction for their flagship restaurant. Redbird opened in January of 2015.
In July of 2019, Redbird | Vibiana received the Los Angeles Conservancy’s Preservation Award’s Chair’s Award. The Chair’s Award is the LA Conservancy’s highest recognition celebrating the persistence, creativity and ultimate success of the revitalization for adaptive reuse of the cathedral, rectory building and surrounding areas.
