Washington View Apartments

Page & Turnbull served as preservation architect, assisting our client and their architect in repairing, rehabilitating, reconstructing, and adaptively using the two-plus story historic mortuary and contributing garage. The existing former Pierce Brothers Mortuary and attached garage now offer 120-units of low-income elderly residential housing development.

Designed by Meyer & Holler, the mortuary was designated as a City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 1993 as an excellent example of Spanish Colonial Revival Architecture. It was one of the last operating mortuaries on Washington Boulevard’s “Mortuary Row,” and is also significant for being owned by the Pierce Family, who were heavily involved in civics during the turn-of-the-century.

In October 2018, much of the historic mortuary building was damaged in a fire, and subsequently “Red-tagged.” While the damaged south side of the building will be demolished, the primary elevations, chapels, and courtyard along Washington Boulevard will be salvaged. The intent of our work is to fully retain and reuse these historic features, seamlessly integrating them with the reconstructed portion of the mortuary building. This portion of the project will provide 29 affordable senior housing units and a community space in the courtyard and former main chapel.