This photo is a reminder that not everything to come out of the Great Depression was drab and dreary. Beverly Hills City Hall at 451 N. Crescent Dr. at Santa Monica Blvd, seen here circa 1936, was constructed in 1931 and 1932 as the rest of the country was hitting rock bottom. Officially, it was built in a style known as “California Churrigueresque” (and if you can pronounce that second word, I tip my hat to you) which is a type of Spanish Revival architecture. According to one report I read, when it opened in 1932, the L.A. Times called it the “largest and most expensive city hall of any municipality its size in the country.” Seeing this photo of it, it’s not hard to see why.
This is roughly how that view looked in May 2024.
A rare upgrade as architectural renovation goes. Nice to see it!
It looks like a pleasant space with a modern style that didn’t destroy the iconic nature of the original.
An LA miracle!
You can barely see the original building with all the modern crap built around it!!!! I sure do like the 1936 photo better.
Tell us you’re a cranky old man without telling us you’re a cranky old man! 🤣
Just stating my opinion Norman!!!
John,
I agree with you!
The original design was more elegant, compared to the “cheap ART DECO” wall that closes off the sightlines. Kind of like adding too much BOTOX and FILLER, to stop an aging face! 🙂