A Los Angeles Icon
Designed and developed in collaboration by architect William Douglas Lee and contractor Florence Casler, the Bendix building is a symbol of the pair’s shared love for modern design enhanced with revival accenting. Their collaboration was so harmonious that Lee and Casler would go on to develop what she termed a “utopian commercial area”, comprised of many major specialized industrial buildings that were centered on Pico Boulevard and Maple Avenue. Both Casler and Lee would become iconic figures in the Los Angeles real estate community. In late 1929, Lee would be recognized for his standout design of the Chateau Marmont and the El Royale Apartments, among others. In 2008, Casler would be recognized by the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission as “one of the first women in the early 20th century to head a company in the field of development and construction of high-rise buildings”.
A signature visual in the gothic facade of the Bendix building are what are presumed to be Renaissance scholars – accompanied by architectural art forms such as painting and writing, including words like “Progress, Education, and Invention”, written in bold yet austere lettering above each image. Remarkable sculptural ornamentations such as these speak to the designer’s passion for the creative arts and their place within urban architecture. Large windows were also an intentional design element, offering sweeping views of the surrounding downtown skyline.
Since its construction nearly 100 years ago, this grand property has been home to many designers, innovators, public service agencies and businesses. From 1929 to 1960 it was home to Bendix Aviation Corporation, established by its namesake, Vincent Bendix. In the latter part of the 20th century, the signature occupants of the building included the offices of the Federal Housing Administration, the regional offices of the Boy Scouts of America, and the Wilshire Oil Company.
Today
Today, nearly 10 decades after its establishment, the legacy of the Bendix Building endures as an icon in the art and creative world. It is a renowned and inspiring home to many of L.A.’s most passionate artists and creators, galleries, photographers, fashion designers, production studios, and performers, bridging a prestigious past with a brilliant now.