449 No. McCadden Place, Hancock Park

Mr. Maurice I. Alfred was among the first to build a home on the block.  He purchased and built this beautifully tranquil home in 1925.  Unfortunately, research has not revealed an architect for this house.  The building contractor, M. Burghbacher (of 393 W. 42nd Street), was credited for building the Vermont Square Methodist Church in…

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528 So. Plymouth Boulevard, Windsor Square

This house was built in 1926 for Lee Mantle.  David F. Picker served as both the architect and contractor.  The building permit states an estimated construction value of $20,000 for the 11-room residence. Unfortunately, not much is known about Mr. Picker or his client.  However, research indicates that in 1926, Mr. Mantle purchased the land…

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420 No. McCadden Place, Hancock Park

The property was purchased in 1925 by John W. Sullivan, who possibly held it as an investment until 1927.  The 1925 county tax records indicated the value of the land (for tax purposes) at $1,880 when purchased; then, valued it at $4,080 when Sullivan sold it.  It was not uncommon for investors to purchase property…

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354 So. Windsor Boulevard – Windsor Square

354 So. Windsor Boulevard

One of the most famous names in the history of Los Angeles is that of the Van Nuys family.  Mr. Isaac Newton “I.N.” Van Nuys had a city in the San Fernando Valley named for him by his old friend Harry Chandler.  The family that owed its fortune to wheat farming were also leaders in banking.…

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343 So. Windsor Boulevard, Windsor Square

343 So. Windsor Boulevard

It is interesting to note that the contractor on the original permit, dated 1922, is the same name as the first owner, Maurice B. Korman.  One could conclude that the house is extremely well constructed as it was built by an industry professional. Mr. Korman chose Saul H. Brown as his architect.  Mr. Brown was…

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333 So. Windsor Boulevard, Windsor Square

333 So. Windsor Boulevard

This classic Mediterranean style home was built in 1914 by Mary Commons.  She hired the architectural team of Morgan, Walls & Morgan which consisted of Octavius Morgan, his son, O.M. Morgan, and J.A. Walls.  Many landmark buildings are attributed to this design team.  Octavius Morgan designed the W.P. Story Building at Sixth and Broadway, the Sisters…

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624 So. June Street, Hancock Park

624 So. June Street

This home is good example of a highly decorative version of Italian Renaissance style.  Built in 1928 for Rose and Harry Feigenbaum, it is somewhat eclectic with its Tudor arch door openings and Gothic multi-foil window deeply recessed over the front entrance.  More indicative of Italian Revival is the paneled front door faced with wrought…

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227 So. Muirfield Road, Hancock Park

The parcel was purchased in 1926 by Marion R. Gray, the first president of the Wilshire Country Club and one of its founding principals.  In 1933, the parcel was purchased by Mr. J. A. and Ella Brown, who employed Alfred I. Coffey to design this fine home.  Coffey was the City Architect of San Francisco for…

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251 So. Muirfield Road, Hancock Park

If the O’Melvenys saved Los Angeles from anonymity, the Leimerts brought its neighborhoods into the modern era.  “Family Engaged in Business for More Than (a) Century” reads a 1986 Los Angeles Times headline.  Walter H. Leimert, founder of the namesake real estate development firm, was the original owner of this gracious home on Muirfield Road.…

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