Walker & Eisen Archives

#283: La Casa Nueva (City of Industry)

May 21, 2026

There are many ways to interpret La Casa Nueva. It's one of the most vibrant Spanish colonial revival homes in LA County, and a fascinating expression of how Angelenos romanticized the mission era in the 1920s. It's also a case study for how architecture and family histories can intertwine, and a model for how local governments should value historic preservation.

#260: Oviatt Building (Downtown)

June 24, 2025

Architecture

The Oviatt Building was commissioned by James Oviatt, haberdasher to the stars. It once housed LA's finest luxury department store – and in his 12th floor penthouse, Oviatt had LA's first art deco residence.

#144: Halifax Apartments (Hollywood)

March 23, 2023

Architecture

The Halifax Apartments were constructed in 1923 to help address the influx of emigrants attracted to the exploding film industry. It's on the NRHP as a dignified Italian renaissance revival design by Walker & Eisen. But way more interesting is the story of its builder: Leach Cross, a Jewish dentist who moonlit as a mediocre boxer and eventually turned to real estate. And then the restaurant biz. And then back to dentistry and boxing.