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Larchmont Chronicle Neighborhood newspaper representing Hancock Park, Larchmont Village
Miracle Mile, Park La Brea Fremont Place in the Wilshire center area of Los Angeles. Local News and
stories about the local Los Angeles Scene. Historical informattion regarding the Larchmont Chronicle and
Hancock Park area. Founded in 1963 on Larchmont Bouelvard, Los Angeles, CA, California

October 4, 2002

Classic Apartment buildings

Suzan Filipek

"Nothing is like this," Ronald Toews says, his hands turn upward, to The Talmadge, at Wilshire Blvd. and Berendo St.

Named after silent screen legend Norma Talmadge, (immortalized by Gloria Swanson in the film "Sunset Boulevard"), the 11-story apartment building is layered in history.

Valued at $1.5 million in 1924 when movie producer Joseph Schenck built it for his wife, Norma, it was "said to be the finest apartment building west of New York," a newspaper clipping read at the time.

Capt. G. Allan Hancock, founder of Hancock Park, moved to the fifth floor when his house across the street was torn down to make room for a wider Wilshire Blvd.

Buster Keaton lived here as did several bank presidents. At one time, seven Rolls Royces were parked in the garage, recalls Albert Williams, who worked here 45 years.

"Every name you associate with L.A. lived here," added Toews, who bought the building in 1995. It was in "terrible shape," he recalls, seated in his basement office, once a Jurgensons market.

The staff still worked old-fashioned slide-gate elevators into the 1990s. The elevators have since been replaced with modern, self-running ones. Hardwood floors and original tiles have been restored, and, a Wedgewood blue-and-white painted lobby was returned to its original cream walls with gold leaf trim.

The L-shaped building was designed by Aleck Curlett and Claud Beelman. The architects also built the former Park Plaza Hotel, or Elks Lodge across from MacArthur Park, and the Irving Thalberg Building at MGM, among others, said Toews who has owned several historic, and not-so historic apartment buildings since he graduated from USC law school. But this is his favorite.

"This one I really love," he says.

His second-in-command, manager Sally Dobson, was secretary to Capt. Hancock's wife, Marian, for 25 years, until Mrs. Hancock died about 10 years ago.

"She was one of the most beautiful people I ever knew. She had such a concern for other people," said Dobson, who also worked the switchboard when she first became assistant manager.

Rents range from $1,550 for a one bedroom to $4,500 for a spacious 3,000-square foot unit, with three bedrooms and baths, a dining room, foyer, butler's pantry and maid's quarters. All 49 apartments boast high ceilings and crown molding, walk-in closets, marble fireplaces, hardwood floors and crystal chandeliers.

A 24-hour valet is in the garage, and round-the-clock doormen work the lobby. Surveillance cameras add a touch of the 21st century, if nothing else, since there's little need for them. "People feel secure here," said Toews, who lives close by in Hancock Park with his family.

Units often become vacant when someone dies, and then usually young movie types move in. One prominent actor and his wife left when they bought a house, only to call six months later. He was often on location and she didn't like being alone, but there were no vacancies.

"It's an old building, but it certainly has a lot of charm," smiles Toews.

Larchmont Chronicle
542½ North Larchmont Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90004

Editor & Publisher: Jane Gilman
Associate Publisher: Irwin Gilman

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Information about the Larchmont Village, Hancock Park, Miracle Mile, Park LaBrea areas of Los Angeles, california. The larchmont Chronicle provides information, news stories, local events, advertising, real estate information, real estate listing advertisings, Los Angeles area demographics and other neighborhood news.