Los Altos Apartments
Why it's listed
Los Altos Apartments, at the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Bronson Avenue in Los Angeles, is a five-story Spanish Colonial Revival building completed in 1925. Architect Edward B. Rust designed it for developers Luther Mayo and Preston Wright. Its H-shaped plan forms an entry courtyard with a fountain, screened from the street by an ornate entablature with Churrigueresque detail. Inside, a grand lobby has decorated piers, notched ceiling beams and a large fireplace. A matching garage to the north is counted as a second contributing structure. Marketed as a luxury apartment-hotel, the building was among the most fashionable on Wilshire and may have been the city's first cooperatively owned apartment house. Residents included Marion Davies, Clara Bow, Ava Gardner and Judy Garland. It was recognized for the quality of its design and detailing as an excellent local example of its style. A rehabilitation in 1996-1998 restored public spaces, windows and courtyards, and it remains in apartment use.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is an excellent local example of the Spanish Colonial Revival style, especially as applied to a luxury apartment-hotel. It cites the quality of its ornamentation, public spaces and unusual units. It was one of the most fashionable apartment buildings on Wilshire Boulevard and may have been the first cooperatively owned building in Los Angeles.
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 99000765, listed July 1, 1999. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 4121 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles |
|---|---|
| County | Los Angeles County |
| Listed | July 1, 1999 |
| Reference number | 99000765 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1925 |
| Architect / builder | Rust, Edward B. (architect); Mayo, Luther (Builder) |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals: Spanish Colonial Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Currently used as rental apartments, some set aside as affordable housing; underwent a certified rehabilitation in 1996-1998. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 34.06212, -118.31758 (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 99000765.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6681895
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.