Hollywood Boulevard Historic Business District

Built mostly in the 1920s, listed in the National Register of Historic Places 1999
Located along Hollywood Boulevard between 21st Avenue and Young Circle

Photo captions:

Early view of the Hollywood Business District
Image Courtesy of the Broward County Historical Commission

Joseph W. Young
Image Courtesy of the Broward County
Historical Commission

View of Part of the Hollywood Boulevard
Historic Business District

Great Southern Hotel, Currently Threatened
Image Courtesy of Broward County Libraries Division

Downtown Hollywood Historic District, 2011
Image Courtesy of Broward County Libraries Division

The Hollywood Boulevard Historical Business District contains one of the finest concentrations of 1920s commercial buildings in Broward County. Construction began in 1921 when Joseph W. Young began building Hollywood and continued through 1926, the boom period. Many of Hollywood’s earliest and most prominent buildings were located in this district.

The district is comprised of 48 buildings, four objects (sculptural memorials), two sites (parks) and one structure (a band shell demolished). It covers approximately 18 acres and contains mainly masonry vernacular buildings, most of which were constructed between 1921 and 1946. The Mediterranean Revival and Art Moderne styles are also represented in the various decorative details applied to the 1920s and 1930s buildings. The district includes the 1924 Mediterranean Revival style Great Southern Hotel, designed by Martin L. Hampton in the California Mission style preferred by J. W. Young which was cited by the U.S. Department of the Interior as the area’s most notable structure. Hollywood Boulevard, with its circles and central location, has been an integral part of the appearance, character, and civic and economic life of Hollywood throughout its history. Inviting restaurants, galleries and eclectic shops line the charming streets of this highly successful historic district.

The City of Hollywood has spent millions of dollars to improve the lighting, sidewalks and streets in the area which, in turn, has prompted some of the property owners in the district to restore their buildings to their original appearance. Preservation of the buildings is encouraged by federal and local tax breaks given to those who perform improvements. Property values have increased dramatically since the area was added to the National Register of Historic Places.