Neighbourhood change is usually told as a before and an after. Melrose Hill is more interesting than that, because a good deal of the 'before' is still trading.
Key Takeaways
- Melrose Hill was a working commercial corridor with a strong furniture presence.
- Galleries, restaurants and design businesses arrived in numbers during the 2020s.
- Much of the new occupies buildings the old trade left behind.
- Furniture Collection has traded in the neighbourhood since 1994.
Then: A Working Street
Western Avenue was commercial long before it was fashionable, and furniture was a significant part of that. Eater LA describes the street's longtime furniture corridor in its account of how the area changed — warehouses, showrooms, and the trades that supported them.
Now: Galleries, Restaurants, Design
Architectural Digest has called Melrose Hill one of Los Angeles' buzziest design neighbourhoods. Wallpaper* has traced former furniture warehouses becoming galleries. The redevelopment around Western and Melrose continues to add creative businesses. The pace has been unusual even by Los Angeles standards.
What Stayed
The furniture trade. Furniture Collection was founded in 1994 and still sells from 635 N Western Avenue — mirrors, console tables, dining and living room furniture, much as it has been for three decades. The fuller version of that story is in our furniture history of Melrose Hill and Western Avenue.
[Client note: this article is designed to be updated periodically as the area changes. It is also the right place for first-hand observations about how the street has changed — we have deliberately not invented any.]
What It Means for Visitors
Practically: more reasons to make the trip, and more to do once you are here. A weekday afternoon covers galleries and furniture in one visit — see our half-day itinerary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Melrose Hill like before the galleries?
It was a working commercial corridor with a significant furniture presence along Western Avenue.
When did Melrose Hill start changing?
Coverage of the neighbourhood's transformation into an art and design destination dates largely from the 2020s, with restaurants and galleries opening in numbers.
Is Melrose Hill still changing?
Yes. Redevelopment around Western and Melrose is ongoing.
What has stayed the same?
The furniture trade. Furniture Collection has sold furniture in the neighbourhood since 1994.
Visit Furniture Collection in Melrose Hill
Our Los Angeles furniture showroom is at 635 N Western Avenue, open Monday to Friday 10am–6pm and Sunday 11am–5pm. Walk in any time, or call or text (323) 466-4131 and we will have a piece waiting on the floor. Delivery is complimentary nationwide.
