I don’t know about you, but I wasn’t surprised in the least that the first commercial building that went up in Beverly Hills was a real estate office. Going by the cars parked out front, this photo of Beverly Hills Realty was probably taken in the 1920s. The building itself went up in 1907, which is the year after an oil syndicate sunk 30 wells in the Hammel-Denker ranch, came up empty, and turned the area into a real estate development. This building stood on the southwest corner of Santa Monica Blvd and Beverly Drive. It’s a shame it hasn’t lasted but it was rather charming, don’t you think?
The Paley Center now stands there. This image is from May 2019:
Great photo. But it can’t be from 1907. Look at the cars.
You’re quite right. I thought about that after I posted, so I’ve changed it to the building is 1907 but the photo is probably 1920s.
The charm of a long bygone era. Amused at the tearoom signage on the left; how civilized for a then very dusty outpost – Also noticed the second story bay window fanlights tilted out, from the top down. Unusual & so practical pre air-conditioning!