Hollywood in Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Taft Building
| | 1680 Vine Street | |
Photographed by Craig Baker, August 18, 2024
1. Taft Building Marker
Built in 1924 by Hollywood's Taft family, the Taft Building was designed by architecture firm Walker & Eisen in the Neo-Classical style and became the city's first high-rise. It housed the offices of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences from 1935 to 1946. In its heyday, the building provided office space for famous personalities including Will Rogers and Charlie Chaplin and was known as "the Times Square of Hollywood Boulevard." Among the most prominent tenants were those that serviced the radio industry, as well as those servicing the motion picture industry. It was named a Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument.
Erected by Hollywood Historic Trust - Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. (Marker Number 22.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1924.
Location. 34° 6.076′ N, 118° 19.594′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Hollywood. It is at the intersection of Vine Street and Hollywood Boulevard, on the left when traveling south on Vine Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1652 Vine St, Los Angeles CA 90028, 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hollywood & Vine (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named
this page online
Another marker is no longer nearby. Site of the Vine Street Brown Derby (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it).
More about this marker. This marker is part of a series of 47 Hollywood Historic Site markers along a three-mile walking tour of historic Hollywood, beginning eastbound on the north side of Hollywood Blvd and ending westbound on the south side of Hollywood Blvd at Sycamore Ave.
The Hollywood Historic Site signs were originally installed circa 1999. They were updated and replaced in August 2024.
Regarding Taft Building. Original
Photographed by Craig Baker
2. Taft Building Marker
Hollywood's first high rise office building (1924) provided office space for such famous personalities as Will Rogers. The offices of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences were here from 1935 to 1945. In the 1940s, legend has it that Clark Gable and Jack Warner would play craps in the basement on their lunch hours. It was built on land owned by the pioneer Hollywood Taft family. The conservative Neo-Renaissance building was designed by Walker & Eisen.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. - Hollywood Historic Site markers, walking tour with map.
Photographed by Craig Baker
3. Taft Building
Photographed by Craig Baker, August 27, 2023
4. Original Marker
Photographed by Craig Baker, August 27, 2023
5. Original Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 1, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 31, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 951 times since then and 99 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 1, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3. submitted on April 7, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4, 5. submitted on August 31, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
