AKA: Westlake Theater #2, MacArthur Park, Los Angeles, CA

Structure Type: built works - commercial buildings - office buildings; built works - commercial buildings - stores; built works - performing arts structures - theatres

Designers: Bates, Richard Mortimer, Jr., Architect (firm); Lee, S. Charles Architect (firm); Richard Mortimer Bates Jr. (architect); Simeon Charles Lee (architect)

Dates: constructed 1925-1926

2 stories

634 South Alvardo Street
MacArthur Park, Los Angeles, CA 90057

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Like many movie palaces of the 1920s, the 1,900-seat Westlake Theatre was part of a larger commercial building that included retail and office space. Architect Richard Mortimer Bates, Jr., designed the Westlake's storefront and theatre facades in the Spanish Colonial Revival Style. Built at a cost of $500,000, it opened on 09/22/1926 and ended showing films on 06/26/1991. Long vacant, the Community Redevelopment Agency of Los Angeles bought the Westlake and neighboring buildings for $10.7 million in 02/2008; it sought a buyer who would operate the auditorium as a performing arts center and others spaces as retail and affordable housing.

Los Angeles architect S. Charles Lee completed a remodeling of the Westlake's ticket booth, portions of the lobby and marquee. Its rooftop marquee was renovated in 1987.

Los Angeles City Historical-Cultural Monument: ID n/a

PCAD id: 16507