"The 115,000-square-foot project may not offer a pool and cabanas, a media room or a wine cellar like some other Downtown loft buildings, but it does have some burly bragging rights: It's the second oldest (former) office structure in Downtown, right behind the Bradbury building that sits across the street."

"Back in 1895, the building, originally called the Irvine Byrne Block, was only the second office structure in the area and sat directly across from the old City Hall...it was home to the Mexican consulate during World War II. In the 1980s, a Giant Penny discount store moved into the ground floor and remained until 2004."

"The building's upper levels, which circle an interior courtyard, were offices, complete with wood doors with gold lettering on the windows, and ceramic tile floors. The halls were used for filming and can be seen in dozens of movies and television shows, from Brad Pitt's Seven to a recent Asahi beer commercial."

"Additionally, the building is notable for its Spanish Colonial architecture (although it is also labeled as a Beaux Arts structure)...It was the second project by Sumner Hunt, who went on to design such Los Angeles landmarks as the Doheny Mansion, the Wilshire Country Club and the Automobile Club on Jefferson Boulevard. The structure's arched entryway and windows and its intricate terra cotta detailing are a testament to the style that Hunt soon spread all over Southern California...the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places."

"Urban Pacific is working with the Conservancy on a so-called conservation easement, which will protect the building's historic character by giving the Conservancy the right to monitor and approve changes to the property's exterior."

Full Source: Los Angeles Downtown News, Mixing the Old With the New
by Kathleen Nye Flynn