One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
There Are Plans To Open A New Gastropub At Union Station's Historic Harvey House
Vintage photo of the Harvey House restaurant in Union Station (Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection)
The historic Harvey House in Union Station hasn't been occupied by a restaurant since it closed its doors in 1967. But now, a new gastropub from the guys who brought to downtown joints like Cole's and Seven Grand is in the works to fill the space.
Metro's blog, The Source, reported today that the Metro Board of Directors are deciding this month on whether to give Cedd Moses and Eric Needleman of Spirited Group the lease on the place, now dubbed the Fred Harvey Room. If the board approves the lease at its Oct. 2 meeting, then the duo, who are also known for other ventures like Broadway Bar, the Golden Gopher and Casey's Irish Pub, will get to open shop. It would take an estimated several months to a year for the restaurant to open—and the renovations would be done under the watch of an architectural historian.
The original Harvey House was owned by Fred Harvey and designed by Southwestern architect Mary Colter. Known for its fine dining and female servers, it even inspired the 1946 film, The Harvey Girls, starring Judy Garland. The prestige of the Harvey girls who waited tables was on par with something like PanAm stewardesses.
In its most recent years, the Fred Harvey House has been only available for filming and special events. Fiona Apple shot her music video for "Paper Bag" at the location, which can be seen here:
Related:
Vintage Photos Of Union Station's First Years, Celebrating Its 75th Anniversary
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
