Eastern Columbia Lofts

Allana Buick & Bers, Inc. (ABB) provided investigation services for Eastern Columbia Lofts at 849 South Broadway in the Broadway Theater District of downtown Los Angeles.

The project involved evaluating building conditions at one of the city’s most recognizable historic high-rises, with services focused on leak investigation, testing, analysis, and technical reporting.

Originally constructed in the 1930s, the Eastern Columbia Building is a well-known example of Art Deco architecture designed by Claud Beelman. The 13-story structure features steel-reinforced concrete construction and distinctive turquoise terra cotta cladding with deep blue and gold accents. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument.

ABB’s work included visual investigation, water testing, destructive testing, building evaluation, and leak investigation. The assignment also involved analysis of plaintiff and defendant reports, technical research, report preparation, depositions, and expert witness testimony.

Projects involving historic and architecturally significant buildings require an approach that balances technical investigation with sensitivity to existing materials and historic character. For properties such as Eastern Columbia Lofts, that means understanding not only current leakage and performance concerns, but also how repair decisions may affect long-term durability, preservation, and building value. This is especially important for landmark residential properties created through adaptive reuse in dense urban historic districts. This last sentence is an inference based on the building’s historic designation, architecture, and current loft use.