Far East Building

Through the years, the cafe hosted innumerable important gatherings for Japanese Americans, including weddings, post-funeral gatherings, birthday parties and other milestones. It also played host to countless events for those in and around Los Angeles City Hall, which stands nearby, and it has been featured in a number of Hollywood movies, including Chinatown, Dragon and Farewell My Lovely.

The Far East Building has added significance for Japanese-Americans who were relocated to internment camps during World War II. When some found themselves with little money and no homes or jobs to return to after being released from internment, the owners of the Far East Building and Café, who were Chinese-American, welcomed back their old friends and customers, providing meals and housing on credit for those unable to pay.

Unfortunately, the building was closed after it was damaged by an earthquake in 1994. In 2001 the owners, the Mar family, donated the building to the Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC) Community Development Corporation.

Restoration Plans and Progress
The LTSC Community Development Corporation has begun restoring the Far East Building. Plans include opening a restaurant in the Far East Café space, adding a community computer learning center, creating an interpretive historic cultural center, and offering 16 units of affordable housing upstairs. The renovation is on schedule to be completed by fall 2003.

Special Events and Tours
The LTSC Community Development Corporation will hold a grand opening after restoration of the Far East Building has been completed.

Public Access
Hours for the restaurant will be determined when it opens. The computer learning center is expected to operate six days a week and will offer classes to the public as well as general public access hours. The interpretive center will be open to the public 24 hours a day.

Contact Information
The Far East Building
Little Tokyo Service Center Community Development Corporation
Erich Nakano
Phone: 213-473-1685
E-mail: enakano@fc.ltsc.org
Website: www.ltsc.org/cdc
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Other Points of Interest
Explore these links on the National Trust’s website to learn more about how preservation benefits individuals and communities.

America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places
Since 1988, this list has been one of the most effective tools in the fight to save America's irreplaceable architectural, cultural, and natural heritage. Use the new 11 Most Endangered database to learn about threatened sites in California.
Website: www.nationaltrust.org/11most

Historic Hotels
When visiting Little Tokyo, expand the historic travel experience by staying at one of the 200 members of National Trust Historic Hotels of America. There is one Historic Hotel of America In Los Angeles:

The Millennium Biltmore Hotel
Website: www.nationaltrust.org/historic_hotels