Empire Building

Known as the Empire Market from 1933 to 1941, the Empire Building in Santa Ana was built in 1933 as a speculative venture by the Santora Corporation on the site of a former used car lot. The building is considered to be one of the best examples of Art Deco commercial architecture in downtown Santa Ana. The building was occupied by a variety of retail businesses, notably the popular Gillette’s Cafeteria. The second floor has been repurposed to provide “creative office space.” According to correspondence included with the National Register nomination, the building was renovated in 1984 with the exterior returned to its original condition. The Empire building is listed in the Santa Ana Register of Historic Properties and is a contributing structure to the Downtown Santa Ana Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places.

Santa Ana, Orange County
Photographer: Andrew Schmidt