We recently had the pleasure of attending an event held in the lobby Federal Reserve Bank Building AKA Reserve Lofts. Built in 1929, the Federal Reserve Bank Building was one of the first examples of the Classical Moderne style in downtown Los Angeles.

It was designed by the well-known father-and-son architectural team of John Parkinson and Donald B. Parkinson, who also created such landmarks as Los Angeles City Hall, Union Station, the Bullocks-Wilshire department store and the USC campus.

The seven-story, double-basement combination bank-and-office structure is built on a 1,600-ton steel framework. Finished in brick and granite, it is beautifully detailed with geographic patterning, ornate bronze grillwork, carved 3-D animal heads on the front and sides of the building and an outstanding bas-relief sculpture above the main entrance by notable California artist Edgar Walter. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.

The bank vaults are really impressive–three foot thick hardened steel doors! These will make amazing “speak-easy” style clubs if the owners decide to lease the space out.

The ornate structure served Los Angeles until 1987 at which time, bank operations relocated next door. In 2005 the former Federal Reserve Bank Building converted to a residential luxury loft community. The transformation preserved the beauty and details of the historic exterior and restored many of the original interior architectural elements.

• The bas-relief sculpture above the main entrance was created by the noted California artist Edgar Walter.
• Converted into residential condominium units in 2005.
• Consists of the original 1930 structure and a similar 2-bay expansion completed in 1953.
• This operated as the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco Los Angeles Branch from its completion through 1987.

Admittedly the lobby area is a little spares but the architectural details more than make up for it. Worth checking this place out. For more info visit their web site at http://www.ReserveLofts.com

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The Reserve Lofts
409 W Olympic Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90015

Phone number (213) 489-4111
Business website http://www.ReserveLofts.com

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