September 26, 2005
Weatherwolde Landmarked
On Wednesday, September 21st (last week), the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission unanimously recommended that the Los Angeles City Council designate the Weatherwolde Castle in Tujunga as a L.A. Historic-Cultural Monument. The prominent castle-like residence at 10629-10639 North Commerce Street faced imminent demolition in mid-July, but was saved by the fast actions of local preservationists.
An outcome of these events, the Los Angeles City Council passed a measure limiting the construction of "McMansions" on razed historic (and non-historic) properties in Tujunga the following week, a first for the city.
The developer continued to perform some work on the property, despite the city's order to cease demolition. The work crew reportedly damaged the property's brick front gate while breaking up some concrete remnants from earlier work, and the street in front of the property is said to have been scored. There was also some talk among interested parties about enforcing the City of Los Angeles' scorched earth provision. However, no further information about this has surfaced.
Now that the Cultural Heritage Commission has recommended the property as a Historic-Cultural Monument, it next moves on to the Los Angeles City Commission. Achieving monument status will effectively eliminate any chance of the property being demolished.
Read the associated news coverage of the event:
'Castle' deemed historical building
"Crescenta Valley preservationists have won a round in an effort to save a Tujunga home made of stone, leaving a La Crescenta developer indignant over what he says was an ill-considered decision that took away his property..."
And for even more information on Weatherwolde Castle, see PreserveLA's previous postings at:
http://www.preservela.com/archives/000537.html
http://www.preservela.com/archives/000546.html
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