Gallery

The Edwin Building (image 1), a two-story commercial property located at 310-316 Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica, was completed in September 1928 at a cost of $100,000.  Paul R. Williams prepared the plans and specifications and H.W. Baum was the builder. At the time of construction the Edwin Building was described in the Evening Outlook (Santa Monica) as beautifully furnished and “the latest word in buildings of the type—three stores below and eleven offices upstairs.” The sculptural floral ornament decoration on the facade of the building, described as churrigueresque in the 2008 report by the Santa Monica Landmarks Commission, is typical of Spanish Colonial Revival-style aesthetics.  

When comparing this 2008 photograph (image 2) of the Williams’ designed Edwin Building to the earlier newspaper photograph of the newly completed building, one can see that some cosmetic changes have occurred over time on the lower storefront. Originally there were three recessed store entries. Considered one of Paul R. Williams’ earliest commercial buildings, it was owned as investment property by Lovell H. Turnbull a “well to do produce merchant of Detroit, Michigan.”  In May 2008 the Santa Monica Landmarks Commission declared this Spanish Revival style building a landmark.