Washington Building
Also known as: Flatiron Building
Why it's listed
Occupying a wedge-shaped lot where Washington and Culver Boulevards cross at diagonals, this two-story reinforced concrete building in downtown Culver City is known as the Flatiron Building. Commissioned in 1926 by real estate developer Charles E. Lindblade and finished in 1928, it was designed by Arthur D. Scholz, with Orville L. Clark probably consulting. Seventeen tall semicircular-headed openings, scored walls imitating cut stone, pilasters, cartouches and rondels bearing George Washington's likeness give it a monumental, Beaux Arts character. Concrete construction cost about $30,000, unusually high for the city at the time, and it may be the first poured concrete business building downtown. Its triangular footprint reflects the 1913 City Plan, and its style ties it to the nearby City Hall, Fire Station and other civic buildings. Lindblade, a close associate of city founder Harry H. Culver, kept offices here until 1932, and the building also housed the post office from 1931 to 1940. The exterior remains largely intact, though the interior has been remodeled.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues significance under Criterion B for its association with Charles E. Lindblade, a real estate developer central to Culver City's growth. Under Criterion C, it is a fine example of "Builder's" Beaux Arts Classicism, linked visually to the city's emerging Civic Center buildings. Its flatiron shape also expresses the diagonal street layout of the 1913 City Plan, and it is perhaps the first poured reinforced concrete business building downtown.
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 91000635, listed May 28, 1991. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 9720--9732 Washington Blvd., Culver City |
|---|---|
| County | Los Angeles County |
| Listed | May 28, 1991 |
| Reference number | 91000635 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1926 - 1932 |
| Architect / builder | LINDBLADE, CHARLES E.; SCHOLZ, ARTHUR D. (Designer); CLARK, ORVILLE L. (Probable Consulting Architect) |
| Architectural style | Beaux Arts |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | In current use for business, specialty stores and a post office function; exterior largely intact with replacement aluminum sash (ca. 1987), while interior finishes are almost entirely modern. |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Coordinates | 34.02184, -118.39656 (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 91000635.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q133272906
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.