The History of The Roosevelt

When completed in 1927, the Roosevelt Building was one of the largest office buildings in Southern California , taking up most of Seventh Street between Figueroa and Hope streets. Its dramatic arches were perfectly at home amid the grand department stores on Seventh Street in the 1920s. Local architects and high-rise specialists Curlett & Beelman designed the building, and were known for many other city landmarks, including the Eastern Columbia Building , the Garfield Building and the Equitable Building at Hollywood & Vine.

Most of the upper floors of the building were occupied by doctors and dentists, but the ground floor attracted attention with its large barber shop and a very popular women's shoe store. There were an additional four floors below ground that provided parking and service for about 400 cars, a distinguishing feature in 1927, and one that appealed to the many shoppers in the area.

The Roosevelt Building is a twelve-story, E-shaped building with a terra cotta exterior and Italian design elements. Ozark gray marble was used for the façade and interior, and mosaic floors and walnut woodwork were generously used.

The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) was headquartered here from 1968 to 1980. The Roosevelt Building was declared a City of Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument on April 26, 1988 .

Authorized by Christina Brandli for the City of Los Angeles - Mayor's Office of Housing and Economic Development. Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles Public Library Photo Database www.lapl.org

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