Jardinette Apartments facts for kids
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Jardinette Apartments
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Jardinette (now Marathon) Apartments, May 2015
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 Location in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Location | 5128 Marathon St., Los Angeles, California 90038 |
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| Built | 1928 |
| Architect | Neutra, Richard J.; State Construction Co. |
| Architectural style | International Style |
| NRHP reference No. | 86003524 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 29, 1986 |
The Jardinette Apartments, now called Marathon Apartments, is a four-story apartment building. It is located in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. A famous architect named Richard Neutra designed it.
This building was Neutra's very first project in the United States. Many people consider it one of the first truly modern buildings in America. It's also known as America's first apartment building built in the International Style.
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Building the Jardinette Apartments
The plan to build the Jardinette Apartments was announced in November 1927. An article in the Los Angeles Times shared the news. It said the building would be on Marathon Street and Manhattan Place.
The building would have 43 apartments. It was expected to cost about $225,000 to build. The location is near Western Avenue and Melrose Avenue.
While the building was being constructed, another architect, Harwell Hamilton Harris, saw it. He was amazed because it looked so different from other buildings. Its reinforced concrete frame and long, continuous windows caught his eye. He also noticed the balconies that seemed to hang out from the building. Harris was so impressed that he sought out Richard Neutra and they became friends.
The Unique Design of Jardinette
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The Jardinette building was Richard Neutra's first project in Los Angeles. It shared some features with another building he designed, the Lovell House. Both had box-like shapes and flat roofs. They also featured long, horizontal windows.
However, the Jardinette was built differently. Neutra used reinforced concrete for its structure. This allowed for those long, unbroken strips of windows. The original plans for the building also included rooftop gardens.
The main part of the building runs from east to west. Two shorter sections extend out, creating a small courtyard. The design made the building feel open and airy. It seemed to blend with the surrounding landscape. Experts noted that the Jardinette was a perfect example of the modern style at that time.
The Jardinette was meant to be the first of many similar apartment buildings in Hollywood. But the developer, Joseph H. Miller, faced financial problems. So, the other planned buildings were never constructed.
One special thing about the Jardinette was its lack of decorations. Most buildings in the 1920s had lots of fancy details. The Los Angeles Times said the Jardinette showed Neutra's new, bold style. It was made of industrial materials and looked very open. Glass walls made the California landscape feel like it was part of the apartments.
Later Years of the Building
Over the years, the Jardinette building started to look a bit worn down. In 1992, the Los Angeles Times mentioned its neglected state. They hoped it would one day be restored to its original beauty.
In 2005, the LA Weekly described it as a "depressing" place. They suggested that people living there might not know it was a famous modern building.
Restoration Efforts
In 2016, a company called Clippinger Investment Properties bought the Jardinette Apartments. They are working to bring the building back to its original glory.
Historic Importance
The Jardinette Apartments has received several important recognitions:
- In 1986, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of places important to American history.
- Also in 1986, it was registered with the State of California's Office of Historic Preservation.
- In 1988, the City of Los Angeles named it a Historic-Cultural Landmark.
