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Overview

This was the first large department store to be built in the suburban Westchester neighborhood of Los Angeles and became well-known for its innovative approaches to store design. The Los Angeles architectural partnership of Gruen and Krummeck designed the structure just after World War II and supervised its construction during 1948 and 1949.

Building History

This was the first suburban location of the Milliron's Department Store chain, opening on 03/17/1949. The store operated a flagship location on Broadway in Downtown Los Angeles since 1946. Store president C.H. Milliron purchased the Downtown store, long known as the "Fifth Street Store" from owner William A. Faris in 05/1946.

Developers of the Westchester area sought a large department store to anchor its new tract, and pursued deals with J.C. Penney's and other retailers, but could not find an interested partner. Milliron's, a new retailer, was eager to expand and commissioned the innovative store designers Gruen and Krummeck to design this for the time, unconventional suburban department store.

Building Notes

Milliron's Westchester Department Store won a Honor Award for Architectural Merit from the American Institute of Archtects (AIA), Southern California Chapter in 1949. It also won a national Honor Award from the AIA in 1951.

Alteration

The building was greatly reduced in size, although portions of the main facade have remained intact.

PCAD id: 24288