A Timeless and Historic Neighborhood The area was first developed in the late 1800s, becoming a "streetcar suburb" by 1920. Midwest developer Julius LaBonte (1879-1968) is largely responsible for it's unique design and layout, and credited with building 70% of the structures. Today, Larchmont Boulevard is a quaint old-town shopping street -- between Beverly Boulevard and W. First Street, west of N. Gower Street -- featuring many unique shops and restaurants. Larchmont Boulevard is the home of Chevalier's Books, the oldest independent bookstore in Los Angeles.