About the Square
Named after the charismatic French Marquis who fought alongside colonists in the American Revolution (and was played by Daveed Diggs in Hamilton), Lafayette Square was founded in 1913 by George Lafayette Crenshaw and his son, Charles Lafayette Crenshaw. Lafayette Square was initially advertised as “A Unique Residential Park” located on “a sightly mesa of the most traversed boulevards in Southern California,” and its original residents were well-heeled members of Los Angeles society, including George Crenshaw himself.
More than 100 years later, Lafayette Square remains an affluent and tightly-knit community, designated a Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ) in 2000 in order to preserve its significant residential architecture and history. Lafayette Square’s wide sidewalks, mature trees, and large, stately homes makes it one of the most desirable and upscale neighborhoods, similar in nature to Hancock Park and Windsor Square. Its central location to the entire city makes it especially enticing; whether you prefer the beach or downtown, both are just a short drive away.
History of the Square
According to the Los Angeles Conservancy, “LaFayette Square was the last and greatest of banker George L. Crenshaw’s ten residential developments in the City of Los Angeles.” Around the turn of the twentieth century, there was a large oil boom in southern California; between the extraordinary climate that California had to offer and the rich resources that provided jobs to the oil and agricultural industries, the state experienced great population growth. In Los Angeles, Crenshaw invested in and oversaw the development of ten residential real estate ventures to help satiate the population growth.
Board of Directors
Block Captains
Filming in the Square
Lafayette Square is a semi-gated community in the heart of Los Angeles, an inner-city hub with suburban characteristics: in short, the best of both worlds! And only a short distance from many film studios, Lafayette Square and its lovely homes provide an ideal filming location.
Residences
Lafayette Square features residences in a wide variety of architectural styles. Most reflect those that were popular during the 1910s and 1920s, such as Tudor Revival, Italianate, Mediterranean Revival, Neo-Federalist, American Craftsman, Spanish Colonial Revival, and American Colonial Revival. There are also a number of Mid-century modern residences, most notably the home of architect Paul R. Williams.
The neighborhood was designed for wealthy and notable families, so many of the homes range in size from 5,000-6,000 square feet and feature period details like Batchelder fireplaces, Juliet balconies, separate libraries, and mahogany woodwork. In addition, many Lafayette Square residences still retain their original lot sizes, with a number of properties measuring anywhere from 12,000-24,000 square feet.
Perhaps George L. Crenshaw’s 1913 advert said it best: “From every practical and significant standpoint—Lafayette Square is unquestionably the most beautiful residential park in Los Angeles.”
Notable Residents
- George Pepperdine (founder of Pepperdine University)
- Paul R. Williams, famous architect (who designed his own home in the neighborhood)
- W.C. Fields
- Fatty Arbuckle
- Little Richard
- Norton Simon, industrialist and art collector
- Joe Louis, American professional boxer and former heavyweight champion
- Princess Conchita Sepulveda Chapman Pignatelli
- Alexander Pantages
Schooling Options
Children who live in Lafayette Square attend a wide variety of local schools, including public, charter, magnet, and private schools. Below, you’ll find a limited selection of the various options for students of all ages.
Private
Some private schools commonly used by families in the neighborhood are:
- Argo Navis, Echo Horizon, Immaculate Heart, Loyola, Marlborough, Oakwood, Pilgrim, St. Brendans, St. James, St. Timothy, The Archer School, The Willows Community School, Turning Point, Westridge
Public
The neighborhood is zoned for the following schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District:
- Alta Loma Elementary School, Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. Middle School,
Los Angeles Senior High School
Other public schools are:
- Canfield Elementary, Grand Arts High School, LACHSA,
Walter Reed Middle School
Charter and Magnet
- Citizens of the World, CLIC, Emerson, GALA, LACES, Larchmont Charter, Community Magnet, Hamilton, Millikan, University High School
Preschool
- Pilgrim, Temple Israel, The Walther School, Tree House School