Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration

Did the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration always have such a long name? Originally, this grand building was simply the Los Angeles County Hall of Administration. It stands here in the Civic Center, a testament to the county’s governance. The Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration was completed in 1960. It was part of a larger vision, the 1947 Civic Center Master Plan. This plan aimed to revitalize Bunker Hill and expand the Civic Center westward. The Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration isn’t alone in its grandeur. Across the way, you’ll find the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, designed by the same architectural team. Both buildings rose simultaneously, shaping the landscape of this important district. Before the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration graced this spot, the Hall of Records held the seat of county government. The Hall of Records, originally built in 1911 and later rebuilt in 1961, served as the meeting place for the Board of Supervisors. It also housed other county entities. In 1992, the Hall of Administration received its current name. It honors Kenneth Hahn, the longest-serving Supervisor in Los Angeles County history. This ten-story building boasts an impressive 980,000 square feet, designed in the Late Moderne style. The architects behind this masterpiece were Paul R. Williams, Adrian Wilson, and the firms Austin, Field & Fry, and Stanton & Stockwell. Look closely, and you’ll discover hidden connections. Beneath our feet lies a network of pedestrian tunnels. These tunnels link the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration to other government buildings in the Civic Center. The building itself houses approximately 2,700 civil servants on a typical workday. Art graces the halls of the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration. “The Law Givers” sculptures by Albert Stewart stand as silent witnesses to the activities within. In the second-floor lobby, a bronze bust of Abraham Lincoln, sculpted by Emil Seletz in 1958, greets visitors. The Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration is more than just a building. It’s a symbol of Los Angeles County’s history and its commitment to public service.