Janss Investment Company Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Janss Investment Company Building |
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The Janss Dome
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| Location | 1045-1099 Westwood Boulevard, Westwood, Los Angeles, California |
| Built | 1929 |
| Architect | Allison & Allison |
| Designated | June 21, 1988 |
| Reference no. | 364 |
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The Janss Investment Company Building, often called the Janss Dome, is a famous old building in Westwood, Los Angeles, California. It's a key part of the Westwood Village area. You can find it where Westwood Boulevard, Kinross Avenue, and Broxton Avenue meet.
Building History
The Janss Dome was built in 1929. It was the very first building in Westwood Village, which was designed to look like a Mediterranean town. This building was the main office for the Janss Investment Company. This company was run by two brothers, Edwin and Harold Janss. They were the ones who developed and built Westwood Village.
The village was created as a place for shopping and movies. It was meant to serve the students and staff of the nearby University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Interestingly, the second floor of the Janss building was once the first dorm for male students at UCLA.
Unique Architecture
The Janss Dome was designed by a company called Allison & Allison. They also designed other important buildings at UCLA, like Royce Hall and Kerckhoff Hall.
The building has a special look. It features a tall entrance area called a portico. It also has beautiful arched windows. The main part of the building is shaped like an octagon, which means it has eight sides.
The most famous part is its dome. It has a unique Moorish style with aqua (blue-green) and white zig-zag patterns. It also has gold leafing, making it shine. On top of the dome is a small tower called a cupola. The Janss Dome, along with the white tower of the Fox Theater, is a well-known symbol of Westwood Village.
What It's Been Used For
Over the years, the Janss Dome has been home to many different businesses. In the early 1990s, a design firm named Morphosis changed the dome so it could be a clothing store called Contempo Casuals. Later, it became a Wherehouse Music store.
In 1998, a restaurant owner named Michael Chow changed the inside for his Eurochow restaurant. He painted over the famous aqua and white zig-zag pattern on the dome. People in Westwood were not happy about this. The Westwood Design Review Board ordered that the dome be painted back to its original, traditional look.
The building was home to a Japanese restaurant called Yamato until 2016. In 1971, the Paramount Securities Corporation bought the property. They added a cupola to the dome and a special French fountain from 1872 to the patio. Today, the building is occupied by the Broxton Brewery & Public House.
Historic Landmark Status
The Janss Investment Company Building is considered a very important historical site. It was named a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument on June 21, 1988. Its monument number is 364.
