Work begins on Higgins Building

June 22, 1909: Copper magnate Thomas Higgins began building his 10-story showpiece at 2nd and Main streets in downtown Los Angeles. The Higgins Building, with its marble hallways, high ceilings and wrought-iron elevator doors, would occupy “one of the finest business blocks on the Pacific Coast,” The Times reported.

The office building was designed in part by Los Angeles architect and engineer A.C. Martin. “The style of architecture is after the French Renaissance,” The Times said.

The building was renovated a few years ago to create residential lofts, and converted from apartments to condos in 2005.