Hollywood Melrose Hotel
Also known as: Melrose Arms
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Why it's listed
Built in 1927 at the corner of Wilton Place and Melrose Avenue in Hollywood, this three-story brick building combines street-level shops with two floors of residential space. Originally the Hollywood Melrose Hotel and later called Melrose Arms, it was designed by Los Angeles architect S. Charles Lee for developer J. Vance Troyer. Its Norman Revival design includes three tall gables, polychromatic brickwork, terra cotta quoining and a small pyramidal turret. Lee's original plans show a bank, a market, a drugstore and storefronts below, with hotel rooms above for visitors and studio technicians working nearby. It was listed for its architecture. The building retains a high degree of integrity and shows an early phase of Lee's career, before he became known for Art Deco movie theaters. Its Norman Revival style also contrasted with the Spanish Colonial Revival character common in the community at the time. Restoration work has repaired the storefronts, lobby and hotel rooms.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents it as an excellent, well-preserved example of S. Charles Lee's early mixed-use residential work, completed before he became known for Art Deco movie palaces. Its Norman Revival style, unusual materials and high integrity set it apart on the Melrose streetscape. It also reflects the neighborhood's ties to nearby movie studios.
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 92000834, listed July 8, 1992. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 5150--70 Melrose Blvd., Los Angeles |
|---|---|
| County | Los Angeles County |
| Listed | July 8, 1992 |
| Reference number | 92000834 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1927 |
| Architect / builder | Lee, S. Charles |
| Architectural style | Norman Revival (Late 19th & 20th Century Revivals) |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Retail on the ground floor and apartments above; the building has been restored, repaired and seismically retrofitted. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 34.08345, -118.31336 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
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 92000834.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5882835
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.