Sepulveda House

The Sepulveda House, Victorian elegance on Olvera Street

On Olvera Street, the Sepulveda House is an elegant Victorian building that contrasts with the adobe constructions of the district. A witness of the rise of Los Angeles at the end of the nineteenth century, it has had multiple uses. The Los Angeles audio-guided tour stops here to evoke the rapid transformation of the city at that time.

An Eastlake-style house from 1887

Built in 1887 in the Victorian Eastlake style, the Sepulveda House has about twenty rooms and has served many uses through its history, from housing to commerce. It illustrates the arrival of Victorian architecture in Los Angeles, then booming, which was gradually moving away from its Hispanic past. Its wrought façade makes it a precious witness of this pivotal period.

What to see

The Victorian façade, refined and colourful, contrasts with the Mexican spirit of Olvera Street, which is precisely its interest. The building is discovered by going around the street, and houses spaces linked to the district's history. It is a stop for lovers of architecture, completing the visit of the oldest buildings of El Pueblo.

Practical information

The Sepulveda House lies on Olvera Street, in the El Pueblo district, in the centre of Los Angeles, reachable on foot. The building is part of the historic district and may house spaces open to the public; its hours and access conditions vary. It is best to enquire on site, the façade being freely admired from the street.

When was the Sepulveda House built?

In 1887, in the Victorian Eastlake style; this house of about twenty rooms has had many uses through its history.

What is special about the Sepulveda House?

Its refined Victorian architecture contrasts with the adobe buildings of Olvera Street, testifying to the rise of Los Angeles at the end of the nineteenth century.