Quote:
Originally Posted by ethereal_reality
While I was in the area 54th and Crenshaw, I happened across this rather noteworthy building on 54th Street at 10th street.
fantastic bay windows on the corner. - sadly, the large storefront windows have been stuccoed/boarded over.
GSV
I'd love to dig up some history on this unique building. |
I haven't found any historic pictures yet, but the retail use of the building is still mentioned on property websites. The build date is listed as 1929 on
findthebest.com, which also gives 1929 as the last major renovation. Here are some listings from the City Directories to give an idea of the businesses you could've found there - 3201 is the nearest unit in the picture above, while 3215 is on the far left:
3201 W 54th
1932 Branch of the Starr Piano Co
1939 Mary Marrota - women's clothing
1942 Harry C Imel - paint store
1956 Denominator Sales Agcy, Le Febure Systems, Loan-A-Matic Sales Agcy, Revo-File Sales Agcy, Sahlin-Klassen & Co and Vue-Fax Sales Agcy
1960 American Bank Equipt, Denominator Sales Agcy, Mosler Revo-File Sales, Revo-File Sales Agcy, Sahlin-Klassen & Co and Speedlite Products indexing systems
1965 & 1969 Sahlin Klassen
1973 Frankie's T V Servicing
1987 Bimini Upholstering Co
Although six businesses are listed at the address in 1956 and 1960, they all share the same phone number - AX 3-2129.
3203 W 54th
1936 Mrs Mary Lake - clothes cleaners
1939 Rolph J Lord - clothes cleaners
1956 & 1960 Beacon Press
1965 Beamar Printing Co
3205 W 54th
1936 C Nakamura - grocers
1938 & 1939 Cheyekichi (also spelled Chiyekichi and Cheyckichi) Nakamura - grocers
1942 C Nakamura - grocers
1956 & 1960 Stedman Auto Parts
3207 W 54th
1969 & 1973 Beamar Printing Co/Inc
3209 W 54th
1956 Maurice Radio & Television Servicing
1965 & 1969 Hayes Leather Goods
1973 A S Miller Brokerage Co
3213 W 54th
1942 Mrs Nora Kaufold - beauty shop
1956 & 1960 Kay Clark Beauty Salon
1965 & 1969 House - Unique Hair Styles - Mr Edmonds
3215 W 54th
1938 Christian Science Reading Room
1942 Harmony Upholsterers
1956 & 1960 Naomi Munson - interior decorators
1965 R C Hill Drapery Cleaners & Zuckers Drapery Cleaners
1969, 1973 & 1987 Hill & Hill Drapery Cleaners
A quick Google suggests that there are still businesses operating from this building, although without the retail storefronts.