Address: 507 Wilshire Boulevard
Known As: Streamline Moderne Commercial Building
Architect: W. Douglas Lee
Built: 1940
Designated: February 10, 2003

The building at 507-517 Wilshire Boulevard is identified in the Historic Resources Inventory as being both a contributor to a potential historic district as well as having individual historic significance. Initially built as the LLO-DA-MAR bowling alley in 1940, the 14,000-square foot structure was erected at a cost of $29,000. The large one story bowling alley, designed by architect W. Douglas Lee, also included a mezzanine area of offices, plus a coffee shop and cocktail lounge.

The building is constructed of reinforced masonry and is capped with a wood truss, arched roof with a surrounding parapet. Architecturally, this two-story Streamline Moderne commercial building has a wide, asymmetrically placed, central bay rising above the roof line with a large rectangular field of glass brick in the center. The eastern and western extensions have horizontal bands of windows on the second floor with protruding sill and hoods. The wings curve into the central bay which is slightly inset and the meeting of the eastern extension is embellished with vertical fins. The front parapet is capped with a narrowly protruding cornice.

This building is a good example of the Streamline Moderne architectural style. The Streamline Moderne style was one of two (Art Deco being the other) of the more dramatic examples of American architecture that broke with the tradition of reviving historical styles in the 1930s. While Art Deco captured the spirit of the moment, the modern age, Streamline Moderne offered a glimpse of the future. This ultra modern style displayed an intense fascination with speed. Its visual vocabulary (the curve, the teardrop, and the uninterrupted horizontal line) was derived largely from the form of high-speed modern transportation machines: the automobile, the airplane and even the ocean liner. A rapid sense of motion was imparted by narrow horizontal bands of windows that often wrapped around corners and by horizontal layering on the buildings façade that used changes in color or materials. The Streamline Moderne style incorporated smooth and articulated stucco, architectural glass block, asymmetrical composition, horizontal banding and a variety of metals used in detailing.

The building is found in the Central Business District bounded by Second Street, Wilshire Boulevard, Seventh Street and Colorado Boulevard. Commercial buildings may be found there from each period of Santa Monica’s development, from the founding in 1875 to the present day. Their styling and historic associations provide a physical document of the commercial history of the city.

(Adapted from the Evaluation report prepared prior to designation by PCR Services Corporation, Santa Monica)