Historic Westwood Village: Janss Dome & Local Landmarks.
- Miss C
- Mar 18, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 23
A Closer Look at the Historic Janss Dome and Its Connection to Westwood Village—and to Us at Capelli Lounge Hair Salon.
One of the things we love most about being part of Westwood Village is the incredible history that surrounds us every day. Just steps from Capelli Lounge Hair Salon, you’ll find one of the neighborhood’s most recognizable landmarks: the Janss Dome, built in 1929. This eye-catching structure was one of the very first buildings constructed in Westwood Village and helped set the tone for the area’s signature Mediterranean Revival architecture—a style still seen throughout the village today.
The building originally housed the Janss Investment Company, run by brothers Edwin and Harold Janss, the visionary developers who designed Westwood Village from the ground up. Their goal was to create a welcoming, pedestrian-friendly community that would support the newly built UCLA campus, blending shopping, dining, entertainment, and student life all in one place. They succeeded—so much so that the second floor of the Janss Dome became the first male dormitory for UCLA students, making the building a foundational piece of early UCLA history.
Over the decades, the Janss Dome has reflected the changing spirit of Westwood Village. It has been home to Glendale Federal Savings & Loan, the beloved Contempo Casuals fashion store, Wherehouse Music, Eurochow, and Yamato Japanese Restaurant. Today, it houses Broxton Brewery & Public House, continuing the tradition of gathering, dining, and community—right beneath its iconic dome.
For us at Capelli Lounge Hair Salon, being part of a neighborhood with such rich history is something we truly cherish. Our clients often stop by before grabbing lunch in the village, catching a movie, or exploring UCLA’s campus, and many love hearing the stories behind the historic buildings they pass on the way to their appointments. Westwood Village isn’t just where our salon is—it’s part of our identity. The blend of architecture, culture, and UCLA energy is exactly what makes the neighborhood feel so alive, and we’re proud to be rooted right in the middle of it.
A $25 million renovation aims to reopen the 1,000-seat Village Fox Theatre by 2027, transforming it into a hub for premieres, screenings, and filmmaker events. The revamped lobby will feature concessions, film artifacts, and flexible space for retail and private gatherings.
We can’t wait to see how the Village Theatre renovation inspires new energy throughout Westwood Village.
Here js a link to numerous old photo’s from the dept of water & power site.
These are a fantastic look at how Westwood Village started and evolved.
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