In April 1927, local papers reported that Fred C. Thompson, cowboy star of Western motion pictures, would build as an investment property a commercial building on Sunset Boulevard next to the new Chamber of Commerce building, across the street from the Hollywood Athletic Club. Architect Henry Gogerty and set designe/architect Carl Jules Weyl designed  the sprawling 2-story Spanish shopping court, which was to contain 11 shops and 9 studio spaces, built around a patio courtyard. The latter was dubbed the “court of the Olive Tree” as it featured a fully-grown olive tree in the center.

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