Most recent writing about Melrose Hill starts with the galleries. That is fair — they changed the neighbourhood's national profile. But the street they arrived on already had a trade, and the buildings they moved into were built for it.
Key Takeaways
- Western Avenue has a long association with the Los Angeles furniture trade.
- Warehouse buildings suited furniture: wide spans, height, daylight, loading access.
- Those same qualities later attracted galleries and design businesses.
- Furniture Collection was founded in 1994 and is still family-owned.
A Working Commercial Corridor
Eater LA's account of the neighbourhood refers directly to Western Avenue's longtime furniture corridor — a useful corrective to the idea that Melrose Hill was empty before it became fashionable. It was not empty. It was working, and a considerable part of that work was furniture: showrooms, warehousing, and the trades that support them.
Why the Buildings Look Like That
Furniture asks four things of a building, and warehouses on a commercial avenue answered all of them. Wide clear floor area, because a dining set needs to be seen in the round. Height, because mirrors and armoires are tall. Honest daylight, because gilt, marble and veneer cannot be judged under spotlights alone. And access, because everything you sell is large and heavy.
Those requirements are almost identical to a gallery's, which is why the transition was so seamless. Wallpaper* has documented former furniture warehouses on the street becoming galleries and creative spaces. Structurally, the buildings barely had to change.
Furniture Collection's Place in It
Furniture Collection was founded in 1994 by Soroush Ben Bandary. We are a family business selling from a showroom at 635 N Western Avenue. The floor today runs from ornate, hand-finished work through to contemporary sculptural pieces: mirrors, console tables, dining, living room and office furniture. More is on our About page.
[Client note: this section is the natural home for first-hand detail — the year the business moved into this specific building, and any observations about how the street has changed. We have deliberately not guessed at either.]
Continuity, Not Replacement
The useful way to read Melrose Hill is as continuity. The furniture trade was not pushed out by art; it was here first, it is still here, and the ongoing redevelopment around Western and Melrose has added rather than cleared. Architectural Digest now calls this one of the city's buzziest design neighbourhoods. We would say it has been a design neighbourhood for rather longer than that — it just used to be called the furniture business.
For the present-day version of the story, see how Melrose Hill became an art and design destination and Melrose Hill then and now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Were there furniture stores on Western Avenue in Los Angeles?
Yes. Western Avenue has a long-standing association with the Los Angeles furniture trade, documented in reporting on the Melrose Hill neighbourhood.
Is there still a furniture district in Melrose Hill?
The area retains a furniture presence alongside its newer galleries and restaurants. Furniture Collection has had a showroom in the neighbourhood since 1994.
How long has Furniture Collection been in business?
Furniture Collection was founded in 1994 by Soroush Ben Bandary and remains family-owned.
Where is Furniture Collection located?
635 N Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90004, in the Melrose Hill neighbourhood.
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.
