Castle Argyle Arms

Castle Argyle Arms
General information
Architectural style	Italianate
Location	1919 Argyle Ave., Los Angeles, California
Coordinates	34.10592°N 118.32563°W / 34.10592; -118.32563
Completed	1928
Governing body	Private
Design and construction
Architect(s)	Leonard L. Jones

Castle Argyle Arms is a historic seven-story luxury apartment building in Hollywood, California. It was designed by San Francisco architect Leonard L. Jones in 1928.^[1]

History

In 1928, Dr. Alfred Guido Randolph "A. G." Castles^[2] demolished his personal estate, Sans Souci,^[3] on a three-acre plot^[2] at the intersection of Franklin Avenue and Argyle Avenue in Hollywood.^[4] In its place, he conscripted San Francisco architect Leonard L. Jones to design and construct the Castle Argyle Arms.^[2][1] Castles died five years later, but the Castle Argyle remained.^[2] After many decades of regular use, the building "deteriorated into a drug den" before being "broken up into small apartments for low-income tenants."^[5]

Legacy

As of 2020, the Castle Argyle still stands and is marketed as affordable senior living.^[6] Its "twin," the Hermoyne Apartments, also designed by Leonard L. Jones, likewise remains standing.^[1]

References

1. https://planning.lacity.org/StaffRpt/CHC/2017/3-16-2017/7_Norton%20Flats_FINAL.pdf ^{[bare URL PDF]}
2. "Hollywood Castles and Curious 'Cures'". Los Angeles Times. March 18, 1996.
3. "Dr. A. G. Castles' Mansion Sans Couci, Hollywood - SDSU Library Digital Collections".
4. "Water and Power Associates". waterandpower.org.
5. "Renters Seek to Buy Piece of History : Housing: Fearing that the low-income Castle Argyle Arms apartments could be jeopardized if sold on the open market, residents are organizing to gain control of the landmark". Los Angeles Times. July 15, 1993.
6. "Low-Income and Senior Apartments (2019-04)". Korean Resource Center. April 10, 2019.