Frank L. Meline | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 5, 1875 Jacksonville, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | August 17, 1944 (aged 69) |
| Occupation(s) | Real estate developer, architect |
| Spouse | Alma Meline |
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Frank L. Meline (August 5, 1875 – August 17, 1944) was an American real estate developer and architect who worked extensively in subdivisions and constructed more than 1000 houses in southern California.
History
Frank L. Meline was born in Jacksonville, Illinois on August 5, 1875. He moved to Los Angeles in 1902.
Meline began his career as a window trimmer and later he was the first sales agent in Bel Air for developer Alphonzo Bell. In 1912, he formed his own construction company and in 1919 he expanded the company into full-service real-estate development and sales. By 1924, he had 18 branch offices and more than 300 employees throughout the Los Angeles area. Meline also founded the Meline Bond and Mortgage Company, allowing him to issue mortgages for the properties he built, and as a broker, he sold half the houses purchased in Beverly Hills before 1930.
In addition to the above, Meline also operated laundry companies in Hollywood and Beverly Hills. Meline's Hollywood laundry company, founded in 1915, was one of the first to provide regular service to individual residences.
Meline was appointed Board of Harbor Commissioners by Los Angeles mayor George E. Cryer in 1924. He was also a member of the Los Angeles Athletic Club, Los Angeles Yacht Club, Hollywood Athletic Club, Bel Air Club, and Whitley Park Country Club.
In November 1941, due to ailing health, Meline sold his real estate business to his general manager and retired. Meline died in Brentwood, Los Angeles, California on August 17, 1944.
List of works
In Los Angeles
- Fifth Church of Christ, Scientist, 1914-1915, Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument #1097
- Garden Court Apartments, 1916, Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument #243, demolished April 1984
- Iris Theatre, 1918
- 7024 W Hollywood Boulevard, 1919, Hollywood Boulevard Commercial and Entertainment District contributing property
- H.H. Yanow Building, 1920
- Victor Schertzinger home, 1921
- 5540 W Hollywood Boulevard, 1921
- Ruskin Art Club, 1922, Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument #639
- Lake Vista Apartments
Meline also developed subdivisions in Bel Air, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, north San Fernando Valley, and Los Angeles's foothill areas.
Elsewhere
- 331 Palisades Ave, Santa Monica, 1913, Santa Monica Landmark #65
- C. Reed Waterman Mausoleum, Inglewood
Meline also developed subdivisions in Beverly Hills and Ventura.
See also
References
- ^ a b c "City of Ventura Director's Hearing Agenda - Supplemental Information Packet". City of Ventura. November 29, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e "Frank Meline's Death Closes a Varied Career". Los Angeles Times. August 19, 1944. p. 11. Retrieved January 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Written at Los Angeles. "Meline, Builder Designer, Dies". News-Pilot. San Pedro, California. AP. August 18, 1944. p. 2. Retrieved January 15, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e "Early Los Angeles Historical Buildings (1900 - 1925)". Water and Power Associates. p. 3. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Early Views of Beverly Hills". Water and Power Associates. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Frank L. Meline (Developer)". Pacific Coast Architecture Database. University of Washington. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
- ^ a b c "Historical Cultural Monuments List" (PDF). City of Los Angeles. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
- ^ a b "Hollywood Boulevard Commercial and Entertainment District". United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service. April 4, 1985.
- ^ "Early Views of Hollywood (1850 - 1920)". Water and Power Associates. p. 2. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
- ^ O'Connor, Pauline (January 30, 2019). "1920s Mediterranean Revival in Los Feliz with Old Hollywood pedigree asking $5.25M". Curbed Los Angeles.
- ^ "Historic Resource - 5540 Hollywood Blvd". City of Los Angeles. June 13, 2019.