“Los Angeles’s first fireproofed building. Can you believe it?” That’s the Homer Laughlin Building. Right here before us stands a testament to history and innovation.
The Homer Laughlin Building isn’t just any building. It’s a Los Angeles landmark. Its story is intertwined with the city’s growth. Built in 1897 by retired Ohio entrepreneur Homer Laughlin it was a marvel of its time. Steel reinforced and fireproofed it was revolutionary for Los Angeles. Architect John B Parkinson designed this six-story structure. Smith & Carr constructed it. Coulter’s Dry Goods a department store opened its doors here in August 1898.
But the story doesn’t end there. In 1905 a significant expansion took place. The Laughlin Annex or Lyon Building as it was known extended to Hill Street. This addition was even more groundbreaking. It was Los Angeles’s first reinforced concrete building. Either Harrison Albright or Thornton Fitzhugh designed this extension. The Ville de Paris department store was its initial tenant. Then in 1917 the Grand Central Market took over the ground floor. Its strategic location near Angels Flight Railway ensured easy access for Bunker Hill’s affluent residents.
Even Frank Lloyd Wright a giant in the world of architecture worked here. In the 1920s he used the Homer Laughlin Building as an office. The building’s original Beaux Arts style is mostly hidden now. A tile facade added in the 1960s covered the second-story windows.
The 1990s saw a major transformation. Developer Ira Yellin and architect Brenda Levin spearheaded a renovation. This revitalization included the addition of residential units. The project established downtown Los Angeles’s first true mixed-use development in decades. A true landmark indeed. The Homer Laughlin Building combined old and new in a remarkable fashion.
Today the Homer Laughlin Building continues to thrive. The Grand Central Market on the ground floor is a culinary hotspot. Under Adele Yellin’s leadership the market attracted new vendors transforming it into a major foodie destination. This ongoing revitalization earned numerous accolades including a spot on Bon Appetit magazine’s “Hot 10” restaurants in 2014. The Homer Laughlin Building stands as a symbol of Los Angeles’s enduring spirit. Its story is one of innovation transformation and enduring legacy. A truly remarkable building. Don’t you think?