8468-80 Fountain Avenue

The Villas at 8468 Fountain were constructed in 1938 and are a part of the City’s Courtyard Thematic Grouping. The increasing demand for housing that accompanied the rapid growth of the Los Angeles region in the 1920’s was well-served by the high density of the courtyard building. The Fountain corridor in particular possesses a high concentration of elaborate courtyard designs. The district’s location between Beverly Hills and Hollywood and adjacent to the developing Sunset Strip, made it an increasingly attractive area for luxurious residential development. The incorporation of parking into many of the courtyard designs also indicates the growing importance and popularity of the automobile. The courtyard housing type reflects significant components of the cultural and architectural development of Southern California. It is the dominant multi-family dwelling type of the region because it appropriately addresses its unique needs, desires and philosophies. Courtyard housing reflects the region’s mild climatic conditions by extending interior spaces into the outdoors. It integrates the Southern California dream for individual housing and a yard with the practical need for higher density development. (Photo Credit: Tony Coelho)