Here's a quiz question you probably haven't heard before: What is the largest pedestrian plaza in the city of Los Angeles? If you answered Broxton Plaza, it's probably because you're on this web page.

Officially launched in February, the plaza was created by blocking off a portion of Broxton Avenue between Weyburn and Kinross avenues in Westwood Village, creating a 14,000 square foot pedestrian thoroughfare with al fresco dining, live music, movies, farmers markets and other attractions, the centerpiece of an effort to restore the Village to its former vibrancy and status as a go-to destination.

In the 1930s, the view from the intersection of Westwood, Kinross and Broxton was much different, although the buildings on each corner of Broxton are clearly recognizable – particularly the distinctive Janss Dome, housing the headquarters of the Janss Investment Company, which originally owned the land that became UCLA. It has gone through several incarnations – as a bank, as well as various other businesses; today it is the Broxton restaurant.

In the distance, in both photos, we see another distinctive symbol of Westwood – the tower of the Fox Theater (now known as the Regency Village Theatre), one of the movie palaces from the golden age of cinema – and one that is currently being restored by an illustrious group of filmmakers, who will partner with non-profit The American Cinematheque to program and operate the venue.

Historical photo courtesy of Water and Power Associates.