SB Spring Gets a Cleaning

By Eric Richardson
Published: Wednesday, August 20, 2008, at 11:59AM

Eric Richardson [Flickr]

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Regardless of how many times one sees it happen, the drastic change in a historic buildings appearance when it gets a little cleaning is still eye-catching. This week's makeover target is SB Spring, Barry Shy's residential conversion of 650 S. Spring. The building's been getting the power-washer treatment, and the two halves of the building's Spring street face provide a fun before and after view.

The building at 650 S. Spring opened in early 1925 as the Hellman Bank Building. The Hellman Commercial Trust and Savings Bank transported seven tons of silver from its previous location at 6th and Main to the new structure on February 1, 1925. The Spring street building cost $2,250,000, and was designed by Schultz & Weaver, the architects who designed the Biltmore hotel.

Shy bought the building as part of a three-building package in March of 2006. In the May Downtown News development issue, it was reported that the building would be completed around November.

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A Little Spring Cleaning
June 10, 2007
Shy Keeps Buying on Spring
March 30, 2006

Comments

Ankur writes:

No comment! :)

# on Aug.20.2008 AT 12:16 PM

Bartleight writes:

I agree. It is so wonderful to see these old buildings coming to life once again. Oh, and Eric, I happened to be looking out my window from The Bartlett Building when you snapped this photo. You were on your bike...you should wear a helmet my friend ;) These drivers are craaaaazzzzy.

# on Aug.20.2008 AT 01:40 PM

Eric Richardson writes:

I'll clarify that I was indeed on my bike, but not moving at the time I took the picture. :) That's a trick I'm in no hurry to pick up.

# on Aug.20.2008 AT 02:04 PM

Dennis writes:

I can see this building across the street from my bedroom window, and it's one of the things I find enjoyable living downtown is to see these buildings come back to life. I own at the Bartlett, and for three years we've been the point furthest south of the Spring Street residential neighborhood. But now the buildings at 8th and Spring are getting completed, and the Old Bank of America building across the street is cleaning up, and the Van Ness Building just south of us on the other side of 7th is getting cleaned up to.

When I first moved in three years ago, my neighbor said, "think of it like being a pioneer. We've circled our wagons and now wait and watch as it all comes back to life."

It's so true - like an tired old lady who just needed a little spa treatment, some new make-up, a better outfit and a good exfoliation!

# on Aug.25.2008 AT 11:34 AM