Back in 2000 Wade Killefer of Killefer Flammang Architects conducted a survey for the LA Conservancy that inventoried the historic buildings in Downtown suitable for residential conversion. That survey helped jumpstart the wave of adaptive reuse in our Historic Core that has been occurring over the last seven years.

Since then, most of the “easy” conversions have already taken (or are currently taking) place. We’re now left with a stock of more than 60 classic buildings that are great candidates for reuse, but are less desirable to developers because of issues such as lack of parking options and the need for central lightwell coring because of large floorplates. These buildings will require more creativity (and money) to re-conceive their purpose.

Other reasons some buildings haven’t been considered for adaptive reuse are absentee owners/investors, such as those on Broadway who make enough easy revenue from retail tenants to never considering selling.

Whatever the story, angelenic has compiled a list of the top twelve historic buildings that we want to see converted. We’ve considered architectural significance, location, conversion-potential and basic “curb appeal” in our choices, which are listed in descending order below.

12. J.E. Carr Building - 644 S. Broadway

Also known as: California Furniture Company Building, Brooks Clothing Company Building

Year built: 1910

# of Stories: 7

Architect: RB Young & Son Company

Reason: Although this Broadway building isn’t particularly significant, we’re drawn to it. Its unsightly lower half is concealed behind a large street tree. Some may see this as a good thing, however we only see potential for a newly revealed and restored street presence, including a restoration of the rusting blade sign.
Also, as with the Judson Rives Building, we believe lower-profile conversions are essential to the balance of a revitalized neighborhood. Besides, who wouldn’t want to live next to Clifton’s Cafe?

11. Broadway Jewelry Mart – 556 S. Broadway

Also known as: Silverwood’s Department Store

Year built: 1921

# of Stories: 6

Architect: A.F. Rosenheim

Reason: The Spanish Renaissance-looking building at 6th and Broadway is stunning and unusual from the street. Floor-to-ceiling windows and a relatively small size give it strong residential appeal. Its location is ideal for the revitalization of mid-Broadway.

Additional Broadway Jewelry Mart photos here.

10. Park Central Building - 412 W. 6th Street

Also known as: Detwiler Building

Year built: 1914

# of Stories: 14

Architect: John C. Austin

Reason: With projects like the Title Guarantee Lofts and Park Fifth prompting an overhaul of Pershing Square, we need to add fuel to the fire. The Park Central Building towers over the park’s southern edge and provides incredible views of the Bunker Hill skyline. Its ground level is home to the delightful Arda’s Cafe.

Additional Park Central Building photos here.

9. Foreman & Clark Building – 701 S. Hill Street

Also known as: Jewelry Design Center

Year built: 1928

# of Stories: 13

Architect: Curlett & Beelman

Reason: Reminiscent of the Chicago Board of Trade, this grand building designed by distinguished architects Curlett & Beelman has a surprisingly strong street presence. It’s U-shaped upper-level floor plan is ideal for a residential layout and would have unobstructed views in each direction. It has a centralized location at 7th and Hill across from the Warner Brothers Downtown Theater.

Additional Foreman & Clark Building photos here.

8. New Story Building – 610 S. Broadway

Also known as: Walter P. Story Building, Broadway Jewelry Plaza, Mullen & Bluett Clothing Building

Year built: 1909

# of Stories: 11

Architect: Morgan & Walls

Reason: Continuing our push for mid-Broadway conversions, the New Story Building on the 600 block across from the Broadway Jewelry Mart (# 11) is an elegant gem with a remarkable terra cotta facade. Like the Foreman & Clark Building above, its U-shaped construction is optimal for residential adaption. The LA Conservancy has also included this building in its rehabilitation grant program.

Additional New Story Building photos here.

7. Garfield Building – 403 W. 8th Street

Also known as: N/A

Year built: 1930

# of Stories: 13

Architect: Claude Beelman

Reason: This vacant Art Deco structure is located across the street from the Union Lofts on the northwest corner of 8th and Hill. A residential conversion with new street-level retail would help revive the now dull southwest edge of the Historic Core.

The old office property features the skeleton of a historic blade sign and detailed sidewalk ornamentation near the entryway. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Current redevelopment plans are rumored to include ground-level retail restoration, creative office space and a possible boutique hotel. While we’d prefer to see a residential use above the retail, we support any type of new life for a vacant historic structure.

Additional Garfield Building photos here.

6. The Wurlitzer – 818 S. Broadway

Also known as: The World’s Largest Music House

Year built: 1924

# of Stories: 12

Architect: Walker & Eisen

Reason: Probably the most architecturally intricate building on this list, The Wurlitzer has monumental curb appeal and is one of the buildings listed in the Broadway National Register District. Close inspection of the Spanish Renaissance facade shows the decorative bands and arched window details are still intact.

The property is owned by Steven Needleman (of the Anjac Fashion estate), who was behind the full restoration of the Orpheum Theater on the same block.

It was originally home to a sales center for the Rudolph Wurlitzer Company, known for its production of instruments – most notably the theatre pipe organ. Three sides of the structure are fully unobstructed, and the upper floors clear the building to the south. Its conversion would add to the small collection of new residential buildings along this block of Broadway.

Additional Wurlitzer Building photos here.

5. Hotel Clark – 426 S. Hill Street

Also known as: N/A

Year built: 1913

# of Stories: 11

Architect: Harrison Albright

Reason: Located across Hill Street from the Metro 417 apartments, this massive building would help renew an entire block adjacent to Pershing Square. As a former hotel, the building contains three interior lightwells and 500 units that can be reconfigured for a variety of floor plans.

The Pershing Square Red Line Station (4th Street entrance) is across the street, and the restored Junipero Serra State Office Building borders the structure on the eastern side of the block. It’s also proximate to Grand Central Market.

Additional Hotel Clark photos here.

4. Bankers Building – 629 S. Hill Street

Also known as: Los Angeles Jewelry Center, Sun Realty Building

Year built: 1930

# of Stories: 12

Architect: Claude Beelman

Reason: This stunning Art Deco landmark on Hill Street looks like it could be the Eastern Columbia‘s little brother, which makes sense considering it was designed by the same architect. The turquoise terra cotta facade features dramatic Gothic influences.

Its location on the 600 block of Hill Street would serve to link Pershing Square with the 7th Street corridor and enliven a block that has seen few investment efforts.

Additional Bankers Building photos here.

3. United Artists Theatre - 933 S. Broadway

Also known as: Texaco Building

Year built: 1926

# of Stories: 13

Architect: Walker & Eisen

Reason: Located south of 9th Street on Broadway, a United Artists Theater conversion would help spur a investment trend a couple blocks south toward Olympic Boulevard where the Herald Examiner mixed-use redevelopment project is planned. In addition, its proximity to the Eastern Columbia and Orpheum buildings would help boost the intersection, which is seeing an influx of new restaurants such as Wood Spoon.

This historic movie palace is one in a large chain of United Artists theaters around the country, becoming the only theater on Broadway built as a flagship house by a major studio. The Spanish-Gothic-style structure was designed by the same architectural team responsible for other Los Angeles gems such as the Oviatt Building and Fine Arts Building, and includes a 50-foot dummy tower intended to circumvent building height limits at the time. When the venue opened in 1927, it featured a Wurlitzer Theatre organ!

On the rear of the building stands the famous “Jesus Saves” neon sign, which fits with its current use as a church facility.

Additional United Artists Theatre photos here.

2. Merritt Building – 757 S. Broadway

Also known as: Silton’s Jewelry Building, Pan America Bank of California

Year built: 1915

# of Stories: 8

Architect: James William Reid & Merritt Reid

Reason: One of Broadway’s most stately structures, this classically designed building was originally built as the home of the Spring Street Company for Hulett C. Merritt. While not heralded as a city landmark, the unique building is one of my Broadway favorites. It’s relatively small footprint and upper level views on all sides make it a great candidate. Also, we need more conversion projects happening on Broadway’s west side.

Additional Merritt Building photos here.

1. Warner Brothers Downtown Theatre - 411 W. Seventh Street

Also known as: Theatre Jewelry Centre, Jewelry Exchange Building

Year built: 1921

# of Stories: 9

Architect: B. Marcus Priteca

Reason: Besides being one of the most majestic structures in the Historic Core, this old theater also has an interesting history. It opened as the Downtown Los Angeles’s second Pantages Theater (the Arcade being the first), and later became the Downtown theater for Warner Bros. Before being reincarnated as a jewelry retail center, it also also served as a religious facility.

The building’s ornate facade features white terra cotta (yes, white, imagine what a good high pressure cleaning could do) and a stunning corner dome with Greek embellishments. A corner location at 7th and Hill would help link the emerging “restaurant row” on western 7th with the Historic Core.

We’d even be happy to see Barry Shy helm this conversion… SB WB DT Theatre? Eh, maybe not.

Additional Warner Brothers Downtown Theatre photos here.