Desmond's Building

Desmond's Building
The building in 2014
Desmond's Building is located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
Desmond's Building
Location of building in Los Angeles County
Location614 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, California
Coordinates34°02′46″N 118°15′08″W / 34.0462°N 118.2521°W / 34.0462; -118.2521
Built1924
ArchitectAlbert C. Martin Sr.
Architectural styleSpanish Baroque
Part ofBroadway Theater and Commercial District (ID79000484)
LAHCM No.1207
Significant dates
Designated CPMay 9, 1979[2]
Designated LAHCMSeptember 15, 2020[1]

Desmond's Building, also known as Desmond's Department Store,[1] is a historic six-story building located at 614 S. Broadway in the Broadway Theater District in the historic core of downtown Los Angeles.

History

Desmond's Building, built in 1924, was designed by Albert C. Martin Sr.,[2] the architect responsible for several Los Angeles landmarks, including Million Dollar Theatre, City Hall, St. Vincent de Paul Church, May Company Building, and more.[3] This building was originally the flagship location of Desmond's,[4] who vacated it in 1981.[5]

In 1979, the Broadway Theater and Commercial District was added to the National Register of Historic Places, with this building listed as a contributing property in the district.[2] In 2020, the building was listed as Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument #1207.[1]

Between 2018 and 2020, the building was converted to office space with a restaurant and rooftop bar.[6] The project, which added two floors to the top of the building in addition to a complete restoration, was budgeted at $12 million ($14.6 million in 2023).[7][8]

In 2024, the building was sold for $16 million ($16 million in 2023).[8]

Architecture and design

Desmond's Building was designed in the Spanish Baroque style and features twisting columns, balconies, and an ornamental pediment. It was built with concrete and has a polychrome terra cotta facade.[2] In 1933, the façade was redone in the Beaux Arts style.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Historical Cultural Monuments List" (PDF). City of Los Angeles. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d "National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form - California SP Broadway Theater and Commercial District". United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service. May 9, 1979.
  3. ^ "Albert C. Martin, Sr". Los Angeles Conservancy. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Early Los Angeles Historical Buildings (1900 - 1925)". Water and Power Associates. p. 6. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  5. ^ "Broadway Building Set for Creative Office Revamp". Los Angeles Downtown News. December 14, 2018.
  6. ^ Vincent, Roger (December 12, 2018). "Historic home of clothier Desmond's is ready for its comeback on Broadway". Los Angeles Times.
  7. ^ Sharp, Steven (December 2, 2019). "Restoration of Historic DTLA Desmond's Building Continues". Urbanize Los Angeles.
  8. ^ a b "Successful Transaction: Historic 612 S. Broadway sold for $16M". Los Angeles Downtown News. July 22, 2024.