Pacific Electric Building
historic place
The Pacific Electric Building, a historic place in Los Angeles County, opened on January 15, 1905. Architect Thornton Fitzhugh designed the structure, which incorporated Beaux-Arts and Richardsonian Romanesque styles. At its completion, the building was the largest in Los Angeles and west of Chicago in terms of square footage. It served as the main train station and headquarters for the Pacific Electric Railway, a system established by Henry E. Huntington. This building was the central terminal for the extensive "Red Car" interurban streetcar network, which connected communities across Southern California. It operated as a primary downtown streetcar terminal from its opening until the mid-20th century. The period of significance for the property extends from 1905 through 1950, when the concourse was last used for rail service. In 2005, the Pacific Electric Building was converted into residential lofts. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This site is historically important for its role in the development of Los Angeles's early mass transit system.