Commercial Exchange Building, Historic office building in Downtown Los Angeles, United States
The Commercial Exchange Building is a 13-story structure on West 8th Street featuring one of Los Angeles' largest neon signs. The building stands out for its architectural design and prominent presence in the downtown landscape.
The building was constructed in 1924 by the architectural firm Walker and Eisen. In 1935, a remarkable modification took place when the western section was relocated to accommodate street widening.
The building once housed the publishing office of Edgar Rice Burroughs, creator of Tarzan, and also served as headquarters for the Owl Drug Company. These tenants shaped the character of the place during its early decades.
The building operates today as the Freehand Los Angeles Hotel with 226 rooms and four dining options in the heart of downtown. Visitors can experience the historic architecture combined with modern amenities.
In 1935, engineers performed an extraordinary relocation: they removed a 10-foot (3 meter) center section and slid the western portion of the building eastward. The entire operation was completed in just 9 hours.
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