Park La Brea has changed, much like the city that surrounds it.

Patricia Morison, 97, with cockatiel Cookie, has lived at Park La Brea for more than 50 years. Back when, “It was more homogenous.... Most of the population was actors, actresses, artistic folks and businesspeople,” she says. “There were never any children.” About its evolution over the decades, she’s philosophical: “Life goes, life changes.” (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Oct. 2, 2012 7:49 AM PT

With 4,247 apartments, management still touts Park La Brea as the largest housing complex west of the Mississippi River. But little else has remained the same.

Former schoolteacher Louise Downes, 97, whose image is shown reflected in a mirror in the background, gives an English lesson to Minjin Choi, 28, of South Korea, at Downes’ Park La Brea apartment. Downes has embraced most of the demographic changes she’s seen at the complex, though she does miss some of the old rules. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Minjin Choi, 28, of South Korea, helps Louise Downes, 97, down some steps as they head to the cafeteria at Park La Brea. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Park La Brea resident Kulandaivel Subash plays with daughter Krisshaiya, 1, by a fountain on the grounds of the enormous apartment complex in the heart of Los Angeles. Many more ethnicities are represented among its tenants now than was the case decades ago. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Park La Brea residents Manasuini Perumalla, 2, left, and Katie Shin, 5, play on the grounds of the 60-year-old apartment complex. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

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Park La Brea has changed, much like the city that surrounds it.

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