Chateau Rossmore, Mauretania Apartments, Jack Haley -- and the Truth

Before known as Chateau Rossmore and Mauretania, two of Rossmore Avenue’s most iconic apartment buildings were originally called: Si-Mar and Mar-Si. Not confusing at all, right?

Chateau Rossmore aka Si-Mar (USC)

The Mauretania aka Mar-Si (Julius Shulman / J. Paul Getty Trust)

Husband-and-wife owners Silas and Margaret Slusher commissioned both edifices within a year of each other, with the French chateau (555 N. Rossmore) opening in April 1934 as Si-Mar, a combination of the first syllables of their names.

Seven months later, when construction began on their Streamline Moderne masterpiece, 350 feet away at 520 N. Rossmore, they swapped the order so Margaret took precedence with Mar-Si.

Want to read more?

Subscribe to beforethe101.com to keep reading this exclusive post.

Subscribe Now