History in downtown’s heart
Built in 1927 as office space for dentists, doctors and lawyers, the historic Roosevelt building is reopening this week as luxury lofts and penthouses after a $150-million, three-year renovation.
The Roosevelt, named a Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument in 1988, rises 16 stories in the heart of downtown Los Angeles.
Its stone and concrete exterior blends Beaux-Arts and Italian-Renaissance elements such as the classical terra-cotta detailing, cornices and arches that became popular in U.S. architecture near the turn of the 20th century.
The lobby retains its mosaic floors, carved wood ceilings and refurbished bronze elevator doors. Lofts have high ceilings, tall windows, Canadian maple hardwood floors and kitchen countertops made of milk glass from China.
A rooftop pool and cabana area have views of South Park. The E-shaped building also creates two light wells, one with a 13-story waterfall mural and courtyard area, the other a garden.
The Roosevelt was one of the first buildings downtown to have underground parking during a time when automobiles were fast becoming fixtures in American culture, said Linda Dishman of the Los Angeles Conservancy, an architectural preservation organization.
One of the earliest buildings along 7th Street, which would become a major commercial hub of the city, the Roosevelt was designed by Alexander Curlett and Claude Beelman, who also created the Barker Brothers Building downtown.
The Roosevelt has deposits on about 90 of its 222 units.
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To submit a candidate for Home of the Week, send high-resolution color photos with caption and credit information on a CD and a detailed description of the house to Lauren Beale, Real Estate, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., L.A., CA 90012. Questions may be sent to homeoftheweek@latimes.com.
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BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX
Lofty living
Location: 727 W. 7th St. (at Flower), downtown L.A.
Asking price: Lofts start at $480,000. The 16 penthouses range from $1.3 million to $2.7 million.
Opening date: Thursday
Size: Lofts are 850 to 1,450 square feet. Split-level penthouses are 1,250 to 2,700 square feet.
Parking: 4 levels; 320 spaces
Amenities: Community wine cellar; fitness center with massage, tanning and hydrotherapy rooms; rooftop pool; lounge; cabanas; fire pit; business lounge; conference room; and 24-hour valet service.
Around the neighborhood: Thirteen resale condos were sold in the 90017 ZIP Code through September this year, according to MDA DataQuick. The median price was $500,000. From January through December 2007, 10 resale condos sold, and the median price was $508,000.
Architect for renovation: Killefer Flammang Architects, Santa Monica
Developer: L.A.-based Milbank Real Estate
Sales agent: Randelle Green, (877) 887-7858
More information: www.rsvlt.com, (213) 623-3100
