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Photographic Exhibition of Historic Properties at the West Hollywood Library, March 25 to mid-May
WeHo@30: Young City, Vibrant Heritage
‘WeHo@30: Young City, Vibrant Heritage’ is part of ‘WeHo@30’, a series of arts and culture projects celebrating West Hollywood’s 30th Anniversary of Cityhood, featuring photos taken by photographer Tony Coelho and was curated by Current & Historic Preservation and Arts & Economic Development staff of the City of West Hollywood with guidance from the Historic Preservation Commission.
Subsequently, as part of the WeHo@30 Film Festival: A Digital Time Capsule, the project was doubled in scope and turned into a mobile friendly GIS Map. Please view it here! http://arcg.is/1KXwL4S
West Hollywood’s heritage is a rich inheritance of traditions, attributes, and cultural resources. Architectural heritage includes much more than preserving, displaying, or restoring a collection of historic buildings. It is both tangible and intangible. Ideas, stories, and other elements of who we are and how we identify ourselves are essential to the understanding of our place.
Preserving West Hollywood’s architectural heritage is integral to the growth of West Hollywood. Designated historic properties embody great significance of the cultural and social fabric of the City. Through historic preservation, we are able to tell stories of times that preceded Cityhood and of people, events, and ideas that embrace the vibrancy of this young city.
Embracing West Hollywood’s architectural heritage is an important contemporary movement that is simultaneously local and specific, global and shared.
The City of West Hollywood invites you to take part in celebrating its 30 years of Cityhood through its architectural heritage as exhibited in this collection. The photographic exhibition represents a wide array of architectural styles and associations with well-known architects and builders. These images celebrate West Hollywood’s 30th anniversary and beyond – recognizing our past, present, and future.
The exhibit was on display from March 24 to mid-May 2015 at the West Hollywood Library located at 625 N. San Vicente Blvd during regular library hours (M--Th: 11am-7pm, Fri-Sat: 10am-6pm, closed Sundays). Admission is free and free validated parking is available in the one-story Library Parking Structure.
For more information on historic properties in West Hollywood visit www.weho.org/historic
For more information on exhibits at the West Hollywood Library and other WeHo@30 projects, please visit www.weho.org/arts
About the photographer:
Tony Coelho is a Los Angeles based photographer with an educational background in film and LGBT studies. His works include photographing events for the City of West Hollywood, documenting queer arts and lifestyles, and capturing the urban landscape of Los Angeles. You can see more of his work at www.tonycoelhophotography.com
Quotes about historic preservation from the Historic Preservation Commission and Staff:
“Historic Preservation is a physical and experiential history lesson. It tells the story of the City and allows people to experience a time gone by...from worker cottages in the rail yards to the homes of those who made movies and created Hollywood as a state of mind. Those buildings will live on and will remain standing to allow future generations to see and feel the past.”
- Allegra Allison, Historic Preservation Commissioner
“Simply stated, preserving the past for others to understand and appreciate what came before is an important reason for historic preservation. And, in West Hollywood over the past 30 years it has served to document a changing city. Increased public awareness will help educate the community on the rich historical resources that exist within the city limits and how they may take stewardship in preserving the history of this built environment.”
- Paul J. Rice, Historic Preservation Commissioner
“The importance of preservation stems from the deep connection that people feel with their surroundings, whether that connection be historical, familial, social, cultural, or experiential. The people, events, stories, connections, and experiences that are associated with historic resources are embedded in their makeup and presence.”
- Stephanie Cisneros, Staff Planner
Properties included in this exhibit:
La Fontaine, c. 1928
1285 N. Crescent Heights Boulevard
Architect: Leland Bryant
Architectural Style: French Revival
Designated in 1991
La Fontaine contributed to the growth of West Hollywood by providing luxurious, high-density multi-family living. The 1920s and 1930s saw the construction of a number of high-density buildings contrasted with low-density, single-family homes.
WeHo@30: Young City, Vibrant Heritage
The Tuscany, c. 1925
1400 N. Crescent Heights Boulevard
Architect: Unknown
Architectural Style: Italian Revival
Designated in 1991, contributor to the Courtyard Thematic District
Courtyard style housing became a dominant housing type during the 1920s and 1930s in Southern California. Courtyard buildings incorporate a partially enclosed outdoor space that individual units share as a common area. Fireplaces, benches, water elements, and landscaping elaborate the courtyard spaces as outdoor living areas.
WeHo@30: Young City, Vibrant Heritage
Lloyd Wright Home & Studio, c. 1927
858 Doheny Drive
Architect: Lloyd Wright
Architectural Style: Modern
Designated in 1992
Originally built as a home and office space for noted architect Lloyd Wright, son of Frank Lloyd Wright, this property continues to be used as an office and studio. The home and studio is an exceptional example of Lloyd Wright’s success at combining wood-frame construction with concrete textile block. This particular concrete block pattern features an interlocking design of stylized Joshua trees.
WeHo@30: Young City, Vibrant Heritage
9231 Doheny Road, c. 1936
Architect: Peter Whitehill
Architectural Style: Streamline Moderne
Designated in 2001
The construction of 9231 Doheny Road coincided with the first major commercial developments on the Sunset Strip. The Streamline Moderne building was one of a few highly characteristic styles that defined the commercial landscape of West Hollywood in the mid- to late-1930s.
WeHo@30: Young City, Vibrant Heritage
1236 N. Flores Street, c. 1931
Architect: Max Maltzman
Architectural Style: Art Deco
Designated in 1992
The four-story apartment building is one of the few remaining, intact examples of the Art Deco style in West Hollywood. The building incorporates detailing indicative of the style, such as vertical elements in repetitive patterns and chevrons.
WeHo@30: Young City, Vibrant Heritage
Beau Sejour, c. 1928
8320 Fountain Avenue
Architect: Leland Bryant
Architectural Style: French Chateauesque
Designated in 1994
The high-quality design for this building was presumed to appeal to members of the motion picture industry migrating to Hollywood from New York City in the 1920s and 1930s.
WeHo@30: Young City, Vibrant Heritage
El Palacio, c. 1931
8491 Fountain Avenue
Builder: William R. Hauptman
Architectural Style: Spanish Colonial Revival/ Churrigueresque
Designated in 1992, contributor to the Courtyard Thematic District
The increasing demand for housing that accompanied the rapid growth of the Los Angeles region in the 1920s and 1930s was well-served by the high density of the courtyard apartment. The incorporation of parking garages within the building also indicates the growing demand of the automobile.
WeHo@30: Young City, Vibrant Heritage
Romanesque Villas, c. 1926
1301 N. Harper Avenue
Architect: Leland Bryant
Architectural Style: Spanish Colonial Revival
Designated in 1992, contributor to the Harper Avenue Historic District
The presence of the growing motion picture industry encouraged the development of elegant apartment buildings that attracted Hollywood stars. The location of the property between Beverly Hills and Hollywood and adjacent to the developing Sunset Strip, created an increasingly attractive residential area in the 1920s.
WeHo@30: Young City, Vibrant Heritage
Hollywood Riviera, c. 1954
1400 N. Hayworth Avenue
Architect: Edward H. Fickett
Architectural Style: Mid-Century Modern
Designated in 2010
Thought of as the “Architect to the Stars,” Edward H. Fickett designed this property as a modern oasis that would attract those seeking Hollywood living. The multi-family building stands as an excellent intact example of post-war courtyard apartment housing.
WeHo@30: Young City, Vibrant Heritage
The Schindler House, now serving as the MAK Center for Art and Architecture, L.A.,
c. 1922
835 N. Kings Road
Architect: Rudolph M. Schindler
Architectural Style: Modern
Designated in 1992
The building is constructed as a combination of masonry walls with light screen openings to private gardens and courts. The former residence was designed as a cooperative live/work space for two families.
WeHo@30: Young City, Vibrant Heritage
English Village, c. 1924
1000 Larrabee Street
Builder: Elmer Mauzy
Architectural Style: Tudor Revival
Designated in 1993
The Tudor Revival buildings were designed as part of a complex of shops, restaurants and cottages named “English Village.” The development was part of the first sizeable commercial developments along the Sunset Strip that utilized the vista of Los Angeles to commercial advantage.
WeHo@30: Young City, Vibrant Heritage
Emser Tile Building, c. 1926
8431 Santa Monica Boulevard
Builder: Bekins Moving Van and Storage Company
Architectural Style: Gothic-inspired Art Deco
Designated in 1994
The Bekins Moving Van and Storage Company wanted to distinguish itself from competitors by constructing a grandiose building that exemplified their high standards of service. The faintly rusticated first story acts as a base to six stories of vertical Gothic spandrels. The rooftop Emser sign originally help the Bekins Storage sign.
WeHo@30: Young City, Vibrant Heritage
Sunset Tower, c. 1930
8358 Sunset Boulevard
Architect: Leland Bryant
Architectural Style: Art Deco/Zig-Zag Moderne
Designated in 1992
Originally named the Sunset Tower and built as residences, in 1986 the St. James Club of London bought the building and converted it into a posh hotel, later becoming the Argyle. In 2005, the building returned to its original name and remains a hotel. The Sunset Tower is considered to be one of the finest examples of Art Deco architecture in the region. This was once the residence of many Hollywood celebrities, including John Wayne, Howard Hughes, Bugsy Siegel, Marilyn Monroe, and Frank Sinatra.
WeHo@30: Young City, Vibrant Heritage
El Mirador, c. 1929
1302 N. Sweetzer Avenue
Architect: S. Charles Lee
Architectural Style: Mediterranean
Designated in 1992
Architect S. Charles Lee was well-known for the movie theaters he designed throughout Los Angeles and incorporated many of the theatrical and period-revival styles he used in his theaters into his design of El Mirador.
WeHo@30: Young City, Vibrant Heritage
1140 N. Vista Street, c. 1929
Builder: Buschelen Building Corporation
Architectural Style: Spanish Revival
Designated in 1991, contributor to the Plummer Park Apartment Grouping
This building is one of five that constitutes an unusual grouping of shared architectural style and form. The Plummer Park Apartment Grouping was constructed on parcels of land purchased from Col. Eugenio Plummer in 1929, which had been part of the original Rancho La Brea.
WeHo@30: Young City, Vibrant Heritage
1237 Vista Street, c. 1917
Architect: Unknown
Architectural Style: Craftsman
Designated in 2010
The Craftsman bungalow was popular in Southern California residential architecture from 1910 to the mid-1920s. The Arts and Crafts movement represents the first popular wave of modernist influence in American architecture. This single family residence is one of the most pristine examples of Craftsman style architecture in the City.
WeHo@30: Young City, Vibrant Heritage
La Ronda, c. 1928
1400 Havenhurst Drive
Architect: Arthur and Nina Zwebell
Architectural Style: Spanish Colonial Revival
Designated in 1992, contributor to the Courtyard Thematic District
During their decade-long practice, Arthur and Nina Zwebell became well-known for their luxurious courtyard housing designs.
WeHo@30: Young City, Vibrant Heritage
1224 Flores Street, c. 1928
Architect: Unknown
Architectural Style: Spanish Colonial Revival
Designated in 1992, contributor to the Courtyard Thematic District
Courtyard housing reflects Southern California’s mild climatic conditions by extending interior spaces into the outdoors.
WeHo@30: Young City, Vibrant Heritage
Lotus Apartments, c. 1928
1216 N. La Cienega Boulevard
Architect: Meyer and Holler
Architectural Style: Japanese
Designated in 1992, contributor to the Courtyard Thematic District
Courtyard housing in Southern California integrates the desire for individual housing and a common outdoor space within a higher density development.
WeHo@30: Young City, Vibrant Heritage
El Pasadero, c. 1931
1330 Harper Avenue
Architect: Arthur W. Hawes
Architectural Style: Spanish Colonial Revival
Designated in 1992, contributor to the Harper Avenue Historic District and the Courtyard Thematic District
El Pasadero was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. Placement on the National Register affords the property owner the honor of inclusion in the nation’s official list of cultural resources.
WeHo@30: Young City, Vibrant Heritage
Harper House, c. 1929
1334 Harper Avenue
Architect: Leland Bryant
Architectural Style: Spanish Colonial Revival
Designated in 1992, contributor to the Harper Avenue Historic District
The Harper Avenue District reflects significant patterns of growth and settlement in West Hollywood. The location of the district between Beverly Hills and Hollywood and adjacent to the developing Sunset Strip, made it an increasingly attractive residential area in the 1920s. The multi-family form and luxury of period revival styles were new to the West Hollywood community, which, until the 1920s, had been dominated with simple single-family development.
WeHo@30: Young City, Vibrant Heritage