Full of Contradictions

Across its diverse neighborhoods, the rich historic architecture in Los Angeles reveals itself—from grand Victorians to sunlit Spanish Revival homes—telling a story of style and history.

LA is full of contradictions. A city, but sprawling like a suburb. Industry-driven, yet business deals go down in flip-flops. Full of both grit and glamour—famous, yet somehow still faceless. I asked a friend who lives there where the cool historic neighborhoods were—looking for LA’s version of the ‘Boston Brownstone’, some defining style of architecture the city is known for. I couldn’t get a straight answer. Maybe there isn’t one? What I learned is that LA’s architecture is hyper-varied by neighborhood: One block might be Spanish Colonial Revival, the next Craftsman, the next Mid-Century Modern, and so on.

What LA does best is to tuck it’s architectural gems into places you don’t expect. I spent a couple of days weaving through old neighborhoods, looking at buildings with a closer eye. Beyond just passing by or spying from an Uber, I really stopped to take each one in. The mix of styles is what always gets me in any city; grand hotels next to unassuming bungalows, 1920s glamour around the corner from a Craftsman porch. It’s that quiet mix that makes any urban area interesting. I wasn’t out searching for anything in particular, just following good light and the feeling that there’s still more to notice when it comes to historic architecture in Los Angeles.

Hancock Park & Windsor Square

Hancock Park is definde by classic and stately homes with pristine yards. I appreciated a range of styles: some Tudor Revival, others Classical or Mediterranean Revival. I fell for a pink stucco home with natural stone door frame with intricate details… and a bright teal door. Not the kind of flowers you see in New England—giant pots of succulents, flowering white climbers, and rows of manicured shrubs. I barely saw a fallen leaf or blemish—plenty of landscapers in the area, which explains it.

Over in Windsor Square, I found the most charming brick homes, some painted white, others in natural brick with with diamond-paned windows. And of course, Mediterranean motifs were everywhere—clay tile roofs, wrought iron window grilles, and arched entries. I stopped at a one historic door—perfectly imperfect—with lush green walls leading to a tucked-away backyard; hashtag garden door goals. I wwas drawn to the fairytale quality to these blocks: charming homes with half-timber details, red doors, and curved rooflines that could belong in a Disney movie.

Angelino Heights

Angelino Heights is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Los Angeles, and the city’s first designated Historic Preservation Overlay Zone, established in 1983. Focused on one street, Carroll Avenue hosts a range of styles, mostly Victorian. Each one is preserved with meticulous lawns to match. Some homes are better known as the Charmed house, or the one from Teen Witch (whoa 1989—a personal 80s favorite), and of course, the Thriller music video house. I didn’t geek out on the Hollywood aspect and really just grabbed photos of my favorite and most pristine properties on the street.

A true mix of shapes and sizes—some small, some big. A navy-blue one is accented with soft yellow (or maybe an off-white) and a harlequin-patterned gable at the attic level. Of course, all the ornate details typical of a Victorian are there. Many Queen Anne styles, another home had corner angular windows extending up to the roofline and a circular turret. I always appreciate the three-colored exterior palette—navy with burgundy and off-white. A smaller light-blue home bears charming, colorful leaded glass windows. Down the street, arches made of wooden trellises create outdoor spaces and a balconies shaded from the sun, appearing as if part of the interior of the home. Multiple patterns at the shingles is always interesting. In general, I honed in on the cute details at the railings, fun colors, and small-scale spaces. My favorite—a pink cutesy with floral motifs.

West Adams | The Fitzgerald House

The Fitzgerald House in West Adams gave me all the Kennedy vibes—for obvious reasons. A perfect example of Colonial Revivcal Style popular in the 20s and 30s. A mix of variegated brick and detailed millwork painted light green accented the off-white exterior. And, of course, the red accents—like a striking lip color—red is always a good idea. The chimney stood out as a statement of its own, integrated into the front façade and featuring a window. An arched roof detail was darling as well.

West Adams | Van Buren Place

On the southern edge of Koreatown, I came across Van Buren Place, a designated historic area featuring a striking mix of Craftsman, Prairie, and Period Revival architecture. Most homes were built between 1903 and 1916, part of a neighborhood developed during LA’s first major westward expansion. The street is lined with perfectly manicured front gardens—each home different, but clearly cared for. Neutral paint palettes dominate: soft greens, muted blues, warm beiges, and browns. It feels as if there’s an unspoken agreement—no clashing colors, no careless upkeep. Details like tapered porch columns, deep roof eaves, and multi-light wood windows show the richness of early 20th-century design. While no two houses are alike, the visual rhythm and restraint create a sense of order.

Griffith Observatory

Griffith Observatory is hard to miss—a dome visible from many locations in Los Angeles. I didn’t make it inside, but the exterior is extraordinary. The aged copper-clad dome contrasts beautifully with the pristine white concrete structure. Greek key patterns wrap around the building’s frieze, and oxidized metal doors and windows give off a soft green hue. The views of the city are worth it—offering a clear sense of that LA-sprawl. I picked up on Art Deco influences at the tall arched doors, especially the three linear details at the center of the arches and geometric metalwork in the panels. The main bronze doors, less oxidized, feature planetary motifs in low relief. I was bummed to miss the interiors—but honestly, the views alone were worth the trip into the hills. Plus, a great view of the Hollywood sign.

Chateau Marmont | Gothic Revival Architecture

Chateau Marmont—known for its risqué past and a long list of celebrity guests—surprised me with its small footprint. Still, I was in awe of the Gothic Revival architecture, inspired by a French château and built in 1927. The retro neon signage sets the stage for its old-school, lived-in glamour. The entry is charming—not grand—positioned right at the top of the carport and garage. Painted brick walls, a green floral striped awning, and a vintage area rug greet you, along with bamboo furniture in hunter green upholstery and fringe. Delicately designed doors lead the way, flanked by fresh palms in aged urns. The entry corridor stays simple: black floors, white walls, and antique furniture. I especially loved the small stenciled motif above a damask-wrapped settee—easy to miss but worth a pause. Several dining spaces include a moody bar with silk-shaded lighting and upholstered wall panels. The bathroom features William Morris wallpaper and marble tile. Massive Gothic-inspired doors and arched ceilings with painted detail recall the kind of space you’d expect in a church—even though this hotel is probably anything but holy.

The Santa Monica Pier

Santa Monica—the last stop of my day—was quite the scene. I imagine many people end their day here looking for golden hour. A striking blue and yellow sign greets you before the pier, featuring Streamline Moderne lettering and a restored design originally installed in 1940. There are plenty of kitschy moments: Pier Burger with its red-and-white striped awning, bold colors, neon signage, and, of course, an oversized ice cream cone fixture. More fun awaits at the Pacific Park amusement area, with a solar-powered Ferris wheel and a bright steel roller coaster. I couldn’t help but notice the light fixtures—like a true designer—their sinuous, Deco-inspired lines caught my eye. Down the street, I paused to admire The Georgian, a 1933 Art Deco hotel, recently renovated with bold teal and gold details that give off serious Miami vibes. Lastly, I passed a darling light pink building with light green shutters and awnings, one massive palm tree, and a burst of magenta bougainvillea.

The Beverly Hills Hotel

The only place that can successfully merge red and green without feeling like it’s the holidays. The Beverly Hills Hotel did not disappoint, giving me all of the Dorothy Draper vibes (though she wasn’t the designer). Beyond the red and green, an infusion of pink stucco truly blends into the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture seen throughout LA. Darling signage, cursive greetings, and a bold striped motif mark the grand entrance, with statement awnings throughout the property as one enters and exits the hotel. I couldn’t resist a wall of the famous banana leaf motif (Martinique®, designed by Don Loper in 1942). Real tropical plants to boot. My only complaint—they close the pool bar early, and I missed cocktail hour…

Well-Preserved Homes & Landmarks

I didn’t cover everything—that wasn’t the point. These are simply the places that made me stop and take a second look. Some I’ve seen before; others I caught at just the right moment. LA is always changing, but these older buildings—their resilience and care—make them worth returning to. It was a good couple of days with my camera and a reminder that Los Angeles still holds many layers to uncover. If you’re interested in historic homes, check out my list of stops below. For more LA interior design related information, check out my post about the design scene, and read more about how travel inspires our work here.

These glimpses of the city’s well-preserved homes and landmarks show that the story of historic architecture in Los Angeles is still unfolding, inviting curiosity for what’s next.

Hancock Park & Windsor Square | Classic Revival Architecture in Los Angeles

• Start on South Windsor Blvd at 6th Street walk towards 3rd Street
• Head over to South Larchmont Blvd and head towards 1st Street
• Take 1st Stree to South Arden Blvdand walk towards Rosewood (Larchmont area)

Angelino Heights | Historic Victorian Homes in LA

• Start at East Edgeware Road and head down Carroll Ave,
• Turn on West Edgware Road and check out Kellam Ave

West Adams | Colonial Revival Architecture

• Start at West Adams Blvd, The Fitzgerald House
• Continue Down West Adams (towards downtown LA) and check out Van Buren Place, between W Adams Blvd and W 27th Street