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Overview

The noted Los Angeles architect Abram Edelman (1863-1941) designed this three-floor, mixed use building that began operation in 1904 and was demolished in the 1970s. Its theatre was known as the Belasco from 1904 until about World War I, when it became known as the Follies. (See Los Angeles Theatres Blogspot.com, "The Belasco/Follies Theatre," accessed 04/25/2017.) In 1907, the Belasco was one of 20 large theatres listed in the Los Angeles, California, City Directory, (p. 1928).

Building Notes

In 1905, the building's first floor storefronts accommodated The Elite Tailors and the Bernhard and Geyer Liquor Company. Of the latter, the Los Angeles Herald noted in an advertising article of 1905: "Among the most popular and elegantly appointed of the many handsome saloons in Los Angeles none is more attractive as a place of resort that the well-known establishment of the Bernhard & Geyer Liquor company, the fashionable buffet of the Belasco Theater building, No. 335 South Main Street. The officers of the company are John Bernhard, president, and Albert Geyer, secretary; both are well known to the trade and in amusement circles. Mr. Geyer being especially celebrated as the champion tumbler of the world. Both are experienced in the business and have afforded the public one of the most elegant and inviting places of resort in the city. They understand the art of keeping a saloon in first-class style and making it attractive and popular with a first-class trade. It is appointed with every detail and furnishing and fixtures of a pleasing and inviting character. But the most pleasing part lies in the attractive quality of the goods which they offer to all visitors. They keep a full stock of the finest and best imported and domestic wines, liquors and cigars, and of whiskies they handle only the finest of whatever brand, and make a specialty of Cedar Brook, while they keep all the popular ales and beers." (See "BIg Money in Private Enterprises," Los Angeles Herald, vol. 32, no. 337, 09/03/1905, p. 7.)

PCAD id: 12277