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.
Desmond's Building | |
 The building in 2014 | |
  Location of building in Los Angeles County | |
| Location | 614 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, California |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 34°02′46″N 118°15′08″W / 34.0462°N 118.2521°W |
| Built | 1924 |
| Architect | Albert C. Martin Sr. |
| Architectural style | Spanish Baroque |
| Part of | Broadway Theater and Commercial District (ID79000484) |
| LAHCM No. | 1207 |
| Significant dates | |
| Designated CP | May 9, 1979[2] |
| Designated LAHCM | September 15, 2020[1] |
History
editDesmond'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
editDesmond'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
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Historical Cultural Monuments List" (PDF). City of Los Angeles. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Albert C. Martin, Sr". Los Angeles Conservancy. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
- ^ a b "Early Los Angeles Historical Buildings (1900 - 1925)". Water and Power Associates. p. 6. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
- ^ "Broadway Building Set for Creative Office Revamp". Los Angeles Downtown News. December 14, 2018.
- ^ Vincent, Roger (December 12, 2018). "Historic home of clothier Desmond's is ready for its comeback on Broadway". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Sharp, Steven (December 2, 2019). "Restoration of Historic DTLA Desmond's Building Continues". Urbanize Los Angeles.
- ^ a b "Successful Transaction: Historic 612 S. Broadway sold for $16M". Los Angeles Downtown News. July 22, 2024.