Culver City in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Washington Building
Culver City
| | FlatIron Building | |
Photographed by Craig Baker
1. Washington Building Marker
The Washington Building has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior.
Circa 1924.
This historic property has been designated a Landmark Cultural Resource in 1990 by the City of Culver City.
Washington Building, 9718 - 9732 Washington Boulevard, constructed ca. 1926.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1924.
Location. 34° 1.336′ N, 118° 23.777′ W. Marker is in Culver City, California, in Los Angeles County. It is on Washington Boulevard east of Hughes Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9724 Washington Blvd, Culver City CA 90232, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles and in the 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: Culver Theater (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Hull Building (about 400 feet away); Culver City (about 400 feet away); American Legion Building (about 700 feet away); Joseph Residence (approx. 0.2 miles away);
this page online
Regarding Washington Building. The Washington Building is nominated to the National Register under criteria B and C. Under criterion B the subject building is significant for its association with Charles E. Lindblade, a real estate developer and businessman who played a key role in the development of Culver City. Under criterion C it is eligible because of its architectural merit as a fine example of "Builder's" Beaux Arts Classicism a style which strongly associates it in visual terms with five other major buildings of the Culver City Civic Center. The subject building also qualifies under Criterion C because its distinctive flatiron shape makes it a visual landmark that directly reflects the dramatic diagonal street intersections proposed as part of the City's historic 1913 City Plan.
The Washington Building was commissioned by Charles E. Lindblade (1887-1940), a prominent real estate developer, and longtime business associate of Harry H. Culver (1880-1946), the founder of Culver City. As Vice-President
Photographed by Craig Baker
2. Washington Building Marker
The Washington Building lies at the intersection of Culver and Washington Boulevards, which cross at diagonals to form the wedge-shaped parcel on which the Washington Building is built. In addition to the unusual flatiron plan, the arcaded treatment of the facades, the deeply-raked score lines (which suggest coursed stonework), and unusual decorative features give the building an animated monumentality appropriate to its visually-prominent location. This imagery also reflects the prevailing Beaux Arts urban design theory of the period.
In summary, the Washington Building is an architecturally distinctive design within its Culver City context, being perhaps the first poured reinforced concrete business building built in the downtown; in its flatiron shape and monumentality, which serve to vividly express the 1913 City Plan; and on account of its unusual naive decorative details. In thematic terms, its Beaux Arts Classical design features and monumentality strongly associate it with four other buildings of a nascent Civic Center that took shape in the late 1920's including the Culver City Hall and Fire Station buildings.
-from NRHP
Photographed by Craig Baker
3. Washington Building and Marker
The Washington Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 28, 1991.
Photographed by Craig Baker
4. Washington Building
Photographed by Craig Baker
5. Washington Building
The city marker is to the left of the door.
L.A. Times Photo Collection Open UCLA Collections
6. Washington Building - 1963
Intersection of Washington and Culver Blvds, with the Washington Building at top center. Viewed from Culver Hotel.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 227 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 5, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
