2600 N. Vermont Avenue 90027
2600 N. Vermont Avenue 90027 Los Feliz USA
Type
Spanish Colonial Revival
Sold
Bedrooms
14 Bedrooms
Bathrooms
8 Baths
Area
10039 sqft
About
“Ben Platt Residence”
Harley S. Bradley, architect 1926
Paul R. Williams, architect for additional story, 1926
Albert E. Hanson, landscape architect, 1929
History:
“The house has a fascinating history, not too surprising given its grandeur. Originally designed for Rudolph Rosenberg by architect Harley S. Bradley, the home was purchased in the same year by music store magnate Ben Platt. Platt hired Paul R. Williams to enlarge the house, adding an additional story. In 1929, Platt embellished the house again, hiring architect Albert E. Hanson to add a swimming pool, tennis court, garden house and pergola.
“The next owner was con man C.C. Julian. The Julian Petroleum scandal exposed the speculative mania of the times and the greed of certain individuals that eventually led to the stock market crash of 1929 and its devastating aftermath. Julian arrived in Los Angeles in 1922 shortly after oil was discovered in the communities of Long Beach, Huntington Beach and Santa Fe Springs. Securing a lease to drill oil in Santa Fe Springs, he launched a clever scheme, portraying himself as the ‘champion of the small investor, battling against big oil and the corporate moguls’ in colorful advertisements in the Los Angeles Times. After each of his first five wells hit gushers, money poured in quickly. He launched Julian Petroleum Corporation in 1923, promising the venture would supplant Standard Oil. In 56 days, he sold $5 million worth of stock. During his brief fame, Julian emerged as one of the most colorful figures in Los Angeles. His lavish mansion in Los Feliz, along with his flamboyant wardrobe, attractive female companions and fleet of luxury cars and a well-publicized nightclub row with Charlie Chaplin probably led to his undoing. Suspecting fraudulent activity, the California corporation commissioner launched several investigations into his activities.
“The Julian Petroleum crash revealed a web of corruption, contributing to the collapse of the First National Bank, the election of former Ku Klux Klansman John Porter as Mayor, and the defeat of Governor C.C. Young in his bid for re-election. More drama unfolded, including the courtroom assassination of a banker, a blackmail plot involving the city’s best-known reporter and the double murder of gangster Charlie Crawford and a newspaper editor by a candidate for municipal court judge. C.C. Julian committed suicide in a hotel room in 1934.
“In the year 2000, the home was acquired by the Saint Columban’s Foreign Missionary Society, a Catholic society of secular priests organized around global mission. Brother Tom Reynolds was kind enough to greet me and provided much of the information about C.C. Julian and the history of the house.” (Source: Photographer/author Michael Locke)
Ben Platt, a 1930 officer of Million Dollar Campaign of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
Platt Music, 620-22 S. Broadway, remodel of building (Source: swb&c 7/20/17). Platt Music Co. 312 W. 7th St, interior installations and fixtures. (Source: swb&c, 7/6/17 p. 15.) See 2464 N. Catalina Street for more information on Benjamin Platt.
Los Angeles Times advertisement, 12/29/29, Platt Music Co. located at 832 S. Broadway with 10 additional stores.
A.E. Hanson’s book includes background on Ben Platt and his music stores and the landscape design of this house.
1930 census:
2600 North Vermont Avenue (Value: $250,000): 1) Benjamin Platt, owner and head of household; 48 year old white married male; married at age 26; born in Russia; parents born in Russia; speaks Jewish; to US in 1902, a naturalized citizen; a proprietor of a music business. 2) Sophie Platt, wife; 45 year old white married female; married at age 23; born in Russia; parents born in Russia; speaks Jewish; to US in 1903, a naturalized citizen; not working. 3) Herman Platt, son; 20 year old white single male; in school; born in California. 4) David Platt, son; 19 year old single white male; in school; born in California. 5) Conrad Platt, son; 15 year old single white male; in school; born in California. 6) Leo S. Platt, son; 11 year old white male; in school; born in California. 7) Henry Cabale, lodger; 25 year old single Filipino male; born in the Philippines; parents born in the Philippines; to US in 1929, a resident alien; a cook in a private family.
1940 Census:
2600 Vermont Avenue (Rents for $10): 1) Douglas Ward, head of household; white married male 61 years of age; born in Canada; caretaker in a private home; earns $750. 2) Nora Ward, wife; white married female 51 years of age; born in Canada; not working.
Details
Type: Spanish Colonial Revival Sold
Bedrooms: 14
Area: 10039 sqft
Bathrooms: 8
Year Built: 1926