The Singer Building

This project in downtown Los Angeles entailed the conversion of an eight-story building into six residential lofts, with one unit per floor, and newly created retail space along the ground level. Also known as “The Singer Building,” located at 808 South Broadway in Downtown Los Angeles, this Beaux-Arts style historic structure was built in 1922 and designed and built by Meyer and Holler’s Milwaukee Building Company, which also built the famous Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. At one time the building served as a warehouse for the Singer sewing machine company, and the painted signage from then is still visible along one wall.

Due to its location within the historic core of Los Angeles, the Broadway Historic District Guidelines for façade work were closely followed, and the front façade was restored to its original look. The work of architects at Omgivning, the design scope included a full seismic upgrade that allowed the construction of new walls and creation of openings into the north and south walls of the building.

Each floor’s residential unit measures about 6,600 sq. ft. while the penthouse is unique and preserved the key feature of a double-height ceiling that was originally the building’s auditorium. The completed design evokes an industrial aesthetic, leaving much of the original shell and structure exposed and raw. This creates a captivating contrast between the historic features and the modern interior elements, such as warm wood, chrome, and glass.

In 2020, general contractors, Parker Brown, enlisted Giroux Glass to perform glazing on this notable project. We installed the insulated glass units that play such a significant role in the transformation of the interior design, with glass walls that open onto patios, merging the indoor and outdoor spaces. Overall, the use of glass throughout the interior enables natural light to penetrate deep into the building, creating a bright and airy atmosphere in this renovation that created the perfect blend of historical charm and modern sophistication.