Downtown Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Irvine-Byrne Building
Pan American Building
This property is listed in the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior.
Irvine-Byrne Building, Beaux Arts style. Sumner P. Hunt, architect. Also known as the Pan American, this property is one of the oldest commercial structures in downtown Los Angeles. Built 1895. Declared 1991, Historic-Cultural Monument No. 544, Cultural Heritage Commission, City of Los Angeles.
Erected 1991 by United States Department of the Interior, and City of Los Angeles. (Marker Number 544.)
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 1895.
Location. 34° 3.076′ N, 118° 14.879′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Downtown Los Angeles. Marker is at the intersection of Broadway and 3rd Street, on the right when traveling south on Broadway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 253 S Broadway, Los Angeles CA 90012, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Million Dollar Theatre / Grand Central Market (within shouting distance of this marker); Bradbury Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Douglas Building (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Biddy Mason (about 500 feet away); Angels Flight Railway (about 600 feet away); Angels Flight (about 600 feet away); Spring Street (about 600 feet away); Historical Site (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.
Regarding Irvine-Byrne Building. The five-floor Irvine/Byrne Building, also known under several other names including the Byrne Building, Pan American Building, and the Giant Penny Building, occupied an important commercial space on the fast-expanding business thoroughfare of South Broadway. The building is on the northwest corner of 3rd Street and Broadway.
Architect George Herbert Wyman (1860-1939), best known for his work on the Bradbury Building located across the street (1891-1893) supervised the construction of the Byrne Building for the architect, Sumner P. Hunt (1865-1938).
In 1896, James W. Byrne, a wealthy investor, had his office on the fourth floor of the Byrne Building.
In 2007 the building was restored and converted to a residential building, now called Pan American Lofts.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 6, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 103 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 6, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.