About

Carleton M. Winslow, architect.

History:

Original owner: Albert I. Lasker, shown as President of A. I. Lasker Corporation, 1100 S. Hope St., Los Angeles, in 1926 City Directory, and as President of Lasker Finance Corporation, same address, in 1927 and 1928 Directories; the corporations’ business was automobile loans. On May 13, 1929, Lasker was adjudged bankrupt in U.S. District Court. His home address is shown as 1727 N. Van Ness in 1927 and 1929, and 2464 N. Catalina in 1928, 1929, and 1930. Occupation is “broker” in 1929 and “auto broker” in 1930, but no business address. Wife’s name is Edna. In 1931 the Laskers are shown living at 135 N. Orange Drive. Subsequent Owners: Harry B. Breckwedel (wife Anna M.) shown at 2464 in 1932 and 1933, elsewhere in 1934; no occupation given.

In 1942 Benjamin Platt and wife Sopfie (sic) are listed at 2463. Benjamin and Sophia had been listed at 2600 N. Vermont in 1937; no occupation is given for him in either year.  (Source: L. A. City Directories, 1926-34, 1937, 1942. Bankruptcy Decree, L. A. County Official Records, Book 8253, p. 17.)

Benjamin Platt (died April 1960) was an American businessman and philanthropist. He was the founder of the Platt Music Corporation, which he started in 1905.  Benjamin Platt was born in a small town near Kiev, Russia (now a part of Ukraine). He moved to the United States in 1905, when he was twenty years old.

Platt started his career as a salesman in New York City, for the Singer Sewing Machine Company. He moved to Los Angeles later that year and started The Platt Music Company; he began the company by selling pianos door-to-door. Platt Music Corporation was a private company that leased space in department stores and sold consumer electric products. By 1926, its annual sales volume was in excess of $3,000,000 and the company’s total assets were approximately $2,700,000.

Platt owned three buildings on Broadway in downtown Los Angeles: 830 Broadway, 840 Broadway, and 620-622 Broadway, next to the Orpheum Theatre. By 1928, Platt Music was one of the largest retailers of its kind in the world. In 1929, the stock market crashed and Platt Music went into receivership. Because of Platt’s good relationship with Tom May of the May Company, Platt rebuilt Platt Music to be bigger than ever. Platt Music contracted with the May Company to sell appliances in all of their stores. By 1955, Platt Music was the largest retail business of its kind in America.

Platt was honored at the Ambassador Hotel in 1955, on the anniversary of his 50th year in business. Some of the biggest names in Los Angeles attended this event, some from as far as Mexico. He was one of the founders of The City of Hope and was active on its Board for many years. He was also the President of the Jewish Home for the Aging. He served as the President of Sinai Templefor twenty-one years, the longest-serving president to date. Additionally, he was one of the founders of the University of Judaism, now known as the American Jewish University. He then served as its first executive vice president. He was active in Masonry and was a member of Westgate Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rites, and the Al Malaikah Temple of the Shrine.

Platt died at the age of seventy-seven in 1960. The Los Angeles City Council adjourned in memory of Platt and stopped conducting any business transactions the rest of the day. (Wikipedia, 2016)

1940 Census:
2464 Catalina Street (value $21,000): 1) Benjamin Platt, head of household; white married male 59 years of age; born in Russia; owner of a music company. 2) Sophia Platt, wife; white married female 55 years of age; born in Russia; not working. 3) David Platt, son; white married male 28 years of age; born in California; owner of a music company. 4) Conrad Platt, son; white single male 25 years of age; born in California; owner of a music company. 5) Leo Platt, son; white single male 21 years of age; born in California; clerk in a music company; earns $900. 6) Dee Platt, daughter; white married female 27 years of age; born in Texas; a night club singer; earns more than $5,000. 7) William Morris, lodger; white single male 44 years of age; born in Russia; clerk in a department store; earns $1,500. 8) Angel Corpus, servant; Filipino single male 41 years of age; born in the Philippines; butler for a private home; earns $600. 9) Liona Moreau, servant; white female widow 50 years of age; born in Illinois; maid in the private family; earns $700. (ED 60-81; Page 62A; Lines 29-37).