Nickerson Gardens Explained

Building Name:	Nickerson Gardens
Location:	1590 East 114th Street, Watts, Los Angeles, California, United States
Status:	1,066 units
Constructed:	1954
Governing Body:	Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles
Construction Architect:	Paul R. Williams

Nickerson Gardens is a 1,066-unit public housing apartment complex at 1590 East 114th Street^[1] in Watts, Los Angeles, California. Nickerson Gardens is the largest public housing development in Los Angeles and was the first home of many notable people, including Jazz Joy and Roy Global Radio host, Roy O’Dell Gray who, according to Hollywood insiders, is the first cousin of Mary Mary Super Producer Warryn Campbell.^[2]

Location

The complex occupies the blocks northeast of the corner of Imperial Highway and Central Avenue, and southwest of 111th St and Compton Avenue. It is on the border of both Watts (a district of South Los Angeles) and the Census Designated Place (CDP) of Willowbrook.

History

It was first opened for occupancy in March 1954,^[3] although construction was still underway. The original architect was Paul R. Williams. It was named after William Nickerson Jr., the founder and former CEO of Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company.^[4]

In the mid-1970s, Nickerson Gardens was 95% African American; by 2004, the African American population had decreased to 75% and continued to drop.^{[5] [6]}

Nickerson Gardens was occasionally known as the recognized birthplace of the Bounty Hunter Bloods gang. A Los Angeles Times article on November 17, 2007, detailed they were gangs that had patrolled in and around Nickerson Gardens.^[7]

In 2023, Nickerson Gardens received a new playground, featuring a gym, a carousel, misting poles and canopies for evaporative cooling, climbing nets, slides, and swings.The lead bassist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Flea, arranged funding for the park, while NBBJ and ESI Design did designwork for the park free of charge. The Watts Gang Task Force spoke at the unveiling, highlighting the park as a measure against gang activity.^[8]

Operation

The complex is owned and managed by the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles. Nickerson Gardens consists of 156 buildings with townhouse style units made up on single bedroom units.

Education

Nickerson Gardens is assigned to the following Los Angeles Unified School District schools:

• 112th Street Elementary School
• Lovelia P. Flournoy Elementary School
• Markham Middle School
• Jordan High School

References

33.9323°N -118.2477°W

Notes and References

1. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20131029191500/http://www.hacla.org/attachments/wysiwyg/10/dvmptsforpublichousing.pdf. Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles. Public Housing Developments. Hacla.org. October 29, 2013. 2009.
2. Web site: July 18. CLAIRE SPIEGEL. Pt. 1987 12 Am. 1987-07-18. Watts Housing Project Will Be Renovated. 2021-11-13. Los Angeles Times. en-US.
3. The California Eagle, February 25, 1954
4. Web site: Nickerson Gardens Housing Project - Los Angeles - Paul Revere Williams . 2024-03-20 . www.paulrwilliamsproject.org.
5. News: Nickerson Gardens Targeted for Redevelopment. Freeman. Dennis. 25 March 2004. Los Angeles Sentinel. A11.
6. Web site: 1987-07-18 . Watts Housing Project Will Be Renovated . 2021-11-13 . Los Angeles Times . en-US.
7. Web site: 2007-11-17. A quiet night's menace. 2021-02-15. Los Angeles Times. en-US.
8. News: Klein . Kristine . Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea patroned a playground designed by NBBJ and ESI Design for L.A.’s Nickerson Gardens . The Architect's Newspaper . 2023-08-22.