El Greco Apartments - Construction and Architecture

Construction and Architecture

The Spanish-Mediterranean style El Greco was built from 1929 to 1930 and was one of the original buildings in Westwood Village. The two-story, 12-unit structure was designed by architect Clara Bertram Humphrey, and modeled after the home of artist El Greco in Toledo, Spain. The structure is credited with having strongly influenced the architectural style of Westwood Village, with its elegant, Spanish-style buildings. The red tile roof and brick courtyard of the El Greco became a trend that was followed in many other structures in Westwood Village.

Once located in the heart of Westwood Village, the El Greco was the first hotel in Westwood Village and was reportedly the home to international film personalities, including Erich von Stroheim (Austrian director of the silent film classic Greed, among other works), Michael Curtiz (director of films such as The Adventures of Robin Hood, Angels with Dirty Faces, Casablanca, Yankee Doodle Dandy and White Christmas), and Joel McCrea (star of films including Alfred Hitchcock's Foreign Correspondent and Preston Sturges', Sullivan's Travels and The Palm Beach Story).

In April 1939, the El Greco was purchased by A.J. Dolan for $37,500.

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