L.A.’s Koreatown is home to one of the city’s most interesting historical buildings. Chapman Plaza, originally known as the Chapman Park Market, is located in the heart of this vibrant neighborhood. It is an historic retail center that occupies 50,000 square feet of space on West 6th Street and Alexandria Avenue.
Built in 1929, the drive-in Chapman Park Market featured the Spanish Revival architectural style that was so popular during the 1920’s-1930’s. The fortress-like building was designed by the prominent local architectural firm of Morgan, Walls, & Clements. The firm’s design completely embraced the burgeoning car culture. In fact, the market was one of the country’s first drive-in grocery stores.
A large, lighted roof-top sign beckoned drivers to the market. Automobiles drove under a high arch and parked in the central courtyard. Groceries, shopfronts, lush landscaping, statues and fountains graced this interior outdoor space. (Wonderfully, the space remains to this day . . . although it is generally more of a parking lot packed cheek-to-jowl with cars.)
The market’s Spanish Revival architecture was beautifully expressed in the building’s street and courtyard-facing concrete walls and ornate styling. The exterior-facing corners of the building were capped by “Churrigueresque” towers, while the interior spaces of the building featured high ceilings, wide hallways, and arched windows.
Through the years, ownership of the Chapman Park Market (Plaza ) has changed. Renovations have come and gone, but the beauty of the building remains. Especially at night, the place is hopping with activity. Chic Korean shops and restaurants line the interior courtyard.
Chapman Plaza is a local treasure and well worth the visit. In 1988, it was dedicated as Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument #361. The building is located at 3465 West 6th Street.
