Crossroads of the World
Why it's listed
Crossroads of the World is a small pedestrian shopping complex on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, completed in 1936 during the Great Depression. Architect Robert V. Derrah arranged one and two story shops around private walkways, with groups of buildings evoking village streets from different places. Spanish and French styled structures flank the Sunset entrance, Cape Cod and Early American shops line the Las Palmas side, and Northern European buildings, including one with a revolving lighthouse light, face Selma Avenue. A small Moorish building lies between. At the center sits a two story Moderne ship with portholes and railings, topped by a turning globe. The project was never fully built; the planned theatre and much of the central section became parking. The complex was recognized for its architecture, its separation of cars from pedestrians, and its reflection of 1930s Hollywood. It appears in several architectural guides and is a City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the complex is of exceptional architectural importance even though it is less than 50 years old. It was designed by Robert V. Derrah, a master of Streamlined Moderne in 1930s Southern California, and it reflects the spirit of Hollywood in that decade. Its separation of vehicles and pedestrians anticipated later pedestrian malls, and it has been published in authoritative works on Southern California architecture and designated a City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 80000805, listed September 8, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 6671 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood |
|---|---|
| County | Los Angeles County |
| Listed | September 8, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80000805 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- (specific date 1936) |
| Architect / builder | Robert V. Derrah |
| Architectural style | Streamlined Moderne centerpiece with Spanish Colonial Revival, French, Italian, Cape Cod/Early American, Northern European and Moorish styled shops |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition listed as excellent, occupied, with minor alterations. Original buildings were restored to their original exteriors, and stores are being converted to offices. Undeveloped portions are used for parking. |
| Acreage | 1.8 |
| Coordinates | 34.09854, -118.33571 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 80000805.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5188853
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.