Mid-Wilshire Medical Building, 6317 Wilshire Boulevard, 1952-2011

1952-2011

The 6300 block of Wilshire Boulevard had its only period of significant construction during the 1950s, and hence forms a relatively uniform gallery of corporate architecture of that decade. The Mid-Wilshire Medical Building, pictured above, is one of many forgotten works by the otherwise celebrated Austrian-American architect Victor Gruen. Completed in 1951, the office building originally housed 32 doctors’ suites on six floors.

1952-2011

After a complete renovation by Killefer Flammang Architects, the building now houses the Hotel Wilshire, open as of September 2011. The bold “MWM” letters that have been preserved on the building’s western wall provide the only reminder of its former life. The updated structure has its subtle moments of architectural continuity, however. In Gruen’s original design, each of the south-facing window bands was outfitted with aluminum louvers to minimize direct sunlight. To that same energy-saving purpose, Killefer Flammang have placed protruding sunshades above each story of floor-to-ceiling windows.

Sources:
1. “Excavation under way for Wilshire building.” Los Angeles Times. 5 Mar. 1950. E1.
2. “Wilshire Blvd. developments add to city skyline change.” Los Angeles Times. 26 Aug. 1951. E1.
Original photos:
1. Baskerville, Harry H., Jr. “Examiner-m4657-Entrance to the Mid-Wilshire Medical Building, 6317 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, 1952.” Los Angeles Examiner Prints Collection. USC Digital Library. USC Libraries Special Collections. http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/assetserver/controller/view/EXM-P-S-LOS-ANG-CIT-BUI-182.
2. Baskerville, Harry H., Jr. “Examiner-m4657-Entrance to the Mid-Wilshire Medical Building, 6317 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, 1952.” Los Angeles Examiner Prints Collection. USC Digital Library. USC Libraries Special Collections. http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/assetserver/controller/view/EXM-P-S-LOS-ANG-CIT-BUI-183.