Hollywood in Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Max Factor Building

Photographed By Craig Baker, August 18, 2019

1. Max Factor Building Marker

Inscription. Max Factor, a Russian immigrant, pioneered screen make up for which he received a special Academy Award in 1929. He opened the Max Factor Hollywood Makeup Studio in 1928, where he taught Hollywood stars such as Lana Turner, Rita Hayworth, Claudette Colbert and Jean Harlow to enhance their appearance. Specially decorated rooms were designed to complement the patrons' complexions and hair colors. Architect S. Charles Lee designed a remodel of the Art Deco building in 1935.

Erected by Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. (Marker Number 41.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Art Deco, and the Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1929.

Location. 34° 6.065′ N, 118° 20.314′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Hollywood. Marker is on Highland Avenue south of Hollywood Boulevard, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1660 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles CA 90028, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. C.E. Toberman Co. Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Hollywood Theatre (within

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shouting distance of this marker); Hollywood First National Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); This Is Where It All Began (within shouting distance of this marker); The Montmartre Cafe (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); El Capitan Theatre (about 400 feet away); Hollywood High School (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named The El Capitan Theatre (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.

Regarding Max Factor Building. Today, the building is home to the Hollywood Museum. Opened in 2003, it contains some of the original Max Factor Museum rooms, now filled with Hollywood memorabilia. This building is Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument No. 593, designated in 1994.

Max Factor Building and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Baker, August 18, 2019

2. Max Factor Building and Marker

Max Factor Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Baker, August 18, 2019

3. Max Factor Building

Mels Drive-In image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Baker, August 18, 2019

4. Mels Drive-In

Also in the Max Factor building, this diner opened in 2001.

Photo on Marker image. Click for full size.

Federal Writers Project (courtesy of the Los Angeles Public Library), July 13, 1939

5. Photo on Marker

"In 1928 Max Factor purchased the four-story Max Factor Building (formerly the Hollywood Fire & Safe Building) known as the "Jewel Box of the Cosmetic World", and began manufacturing his world-famous make up on the upper floors while transforming the ground floor into a grand salon where fashionable women and celebrities came to see and be seen, as well as to purchase his make-up.... Declared L.A. Historic Cultural Monument 593 on April 26, 1994, this building eventually became The Max Factor Museum of Beauty. Sadly, it closed its doors in 1996, but reopened in 2002 as The Hollywood History Museum." - LAPL

Credits. This page was last revised on August 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 27, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 765 times since then and 88 times this year. Last updated on March 3, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 27, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5. submitted on August 31, 2019. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.