#tbt - The Mauritania Apartments

Mauritania Apartments, 1936. USC Digital Library Archive

Larry and I were invited to an afternoon party on Sunday at the Mauritania Apartments on Rossmore Avenue in Hancock Park. I was pleasantly startled when I saw this perfect Art Deco, Streamline Moderne jewel of building! Our friend, John has lived here for a few years. Wow!  What a fantastic building! Actor, Jack Haley commissioned the building in 1934. It was designed by architect Milton J. Black, who was known for a few more beautiful buildings in Los Angeles. Click on this link to see more about Black's work.

Jack Haley and his wife lived in the penthouse for 20 years. I do believe that this is the very same apartment where John's party was held.  In 1960, Jack Kennedy used this apartment as his home base during the Democratic convention. 

I could not stop snapping photos of this beautiful building!  My photos do not do it justice. Really, you must drive up Rossmore and see it for yourself.  It's just north of Rosewood, south of Melrose on the east side of the street.

Lobby Interior

Original Light Fixture, 1934

The party was in full swing when we arrived. I recognized a few familiar faces. John and I used to work together at another production company YEARS ago. There was a luscious luncheon spread in addition to beverages. Our friends Claire and Tom arrived. We chatted with them quite a bit.

Ellen and Claire

Larry and Tom

All in all, it was a lovely party in a magnificent, historic Los Angeles building.  Thanks, John!

John hasn't changed much over the years. He's still on the phone!