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

Higgins Building

Photographed by Craig Baker, June 18, 2023

1. Higgins Building Marker

Inscription.
Beaux-arts style. A.L. Haley, architect. A.C. Martin, engineer. Built 1910. Declared 2007, Historic-Cultural Monument No. 873, Cultural Heritage Commission, City of Los Angeles.

Erected 2007 by City of Los Angeles. (Marker Number 873.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.

Location. 34° 3.07′ N, 118° 14.692′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Downtown Los Angeles. It is at the intersection of 2nd Street and Main Street, on the left when traveling west on 2nd Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 108 W 2nd St, Los Angeles CA 90012, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: St. Vibiana’s Cathedral (within shouting distance of this marker); Historical Site (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Douglas Building (about 700 feet away); Los Angeles Times (about 700 feet away); Los Angeles City Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Irvine-Byrne Building

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); Colonel Ellison Onizuka (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bradbury Building (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.

Regarding Higgins Building. The building is a concrete framed building, completed in 1910 by owner Thomas Higgins, an Irish American. The 10-story building was originally used for office space. Although designed as an eight story building, it was decided during construction to add two additional floors in order to be the tallest building in the city centre. It was designed with natural air conditioning, using a ventilation shaft that allowed sunshine and fresh air to filter into offices. The Los Angeles Times reported in 2006: "The building's grand size, marble-lined hallways, zinc-lined doors and window frames, black-and-white mosaic tile lobby and 'wholesome and healthful' water -- purified through filters in the sub-basement -- attracted prominent businessmen. Albert C. Martin, who would emerge as one of the most successful architects and structural engineers in Southern California, based his company there for 35 years." The Higgins Building basement contained the city's first privately owned power plant. The building housed the Los

Photographed by Craig Baker, June 18, 2023

2. Higgins Building Marker

Angeles County Engineer Department for 25 years from 1952 until 1977. In addition to its architect Albert C. Martin, other tenants included lawyer and activist Clarence Darrow. The building was restored by entrepreneurs Andrew Meieran and Marc Smith. Developer Barry Shy converted the offices into rental lofts in 2003, and later converted to condominiums in 2005. Meieran and Smith opened The Edison in 2007, a post-industrial steampunk-styled nightclub in the building's basement, now used as a private event venue. The Higgins Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2023.

Additional keywords. The Edison

Photographed by Craig Baker, June 18, 2023

3. Higgins Building Marker

Photographed by Craig Baker, February 7, 2026

4. Higgins Building Marker

Higgins Building Entry Floor Tile image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, June 18, 2023

5. Higgins Building Entry Floor Tile

Higgins Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, June 18, 2023

6. Higgins Building

courtesy The Edison

7. The Edison

A private nightclub in the basement, with electric power generating equipment on display.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 705 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 20, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4. submitted on February 14, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5, 6. submitted on June 20, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 7. submitted on January 5, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.