North Broadway Bridge | Los Angeles Conservancy
Photo by Adrian Scott Fine/L.A. Conservancy

North Broadway Bridge

Originally named the Buena Vista Viaduct, the North Broadway Bridge was the first major monumental Beaux Arts bridge constructed by the City of Los Angeles. When completed in 1911, it was the longest and widest concrete arch bridge in California, spanning 968 feet in total. 

The North Broadway Bridge is one of more than two dozen historic bridges spanning the Los Angeles River between the San Fernando Valley and Long Beach. Its design is a reflection of the City Beautiful Movement, which sought to beautify urban centers nationwide at the dawn of the twentieth century. 

The deck features a sculpted concrete railing that runs between twelve rounded viewing balconies. Two pairs of fluted Ionic columns on high square pedestals topped by a cornice and balustrade are located at each entrance. 

The North Broadway Bridge was designed by Homer Hamlin and Alfred P. Rosenheim. Rosenheim also designed the 1907 Hamburgers/May Company Department Store (now Broadway Trade Building) and the Hellman Building (now Banco Popular de Puerto Rico), both prominent landmarks in downtown. 

In 2008, the North Broadway Bridge was designated Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument #907. The bridge spans the eastern boundary of the Los Angeles State Historic Park, where it provides a sheltered space for film screenings, concerts, and other special events. 

 

Photo by Kevin Break

Sixth Street Viaduct

Built in 1932, the two-thirds-mile-long Sixth Street Viaduct is the last-built and grandest of the monumental river bridges, with its graceful steel arches and Classical Moderne design.
Santa Fe Art Colony
1916 building that originally housed the C.B. Van Vorst Company, now known as the Santa Fe Art Colony

Santa Fe Art Colony

Originally built to house the operations of C.B. Van Vorst Furniture Manufacturing Company, since 1988 it has been home to live/work artists as the Santa Fe Art Colony. In June 2019, the Conservancy nominated the building for local Historic-Cultural Monument (HCM) recognition.