El Cabrillo

El Cabrillo is a Spanish Colonial Revival apartment building in Hollywood featuring detailed tilework, arched doorways, and decorative ironwork throughout its Mediterranean-style courtyard layout. The complex wraps around a central courtyard that organizes the residential units and serves as a shared outdoor space.

The building was designed in 1928 by architects Arthur and Nina Zwebell under the direction of Cecil B. DeMille during a period of luxury apartment development in Hollywood. This project emerged during a broader wave of residential complex construction that transformed the neighborhood.

The building reflects early Hollywood residential life, having housed numerous entertainment industry professionals over the decades. Its Mediterranean design and intimate courtyard spaces create a refined private environment for residents.

The property is a private residential complex, so visitors can best appreciate the architecture from outside by viewing the facades, tilework, and entrance areas. The building elements are most visible from the street and surrounding areas without entering private resident spaces.

The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as one of around 250 structures in Los Angeles showcasing Spanish Colonial Revival design. This designation reflects its importance as a surviving example of an architectural style that flourished during Hollywood's early residential period.

Location: Los Angeles

Inception: 1928

Architectural style: Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, Mediterranean Revival architecture

GPS coordinates: 34.10472,-118.33111

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:42