December 04, 2005

Preservation Headlines

L.A.'s Reticent Relics
Downtown L.A. - "Downtown housing developers are uncovering treasures and problems from the past as they race to restore and convert dilapidated buildings..."

Developer Tweaks Plan For Herald Examiner
Downtown L.A. - "Urban Partners has modified early plans to redevelop the Herald Examiner Building at 1111 S. Broadway. In the main building, originally designed by noted architect Julia Morgan, plans for a new mezzanine with 24 residential units have been scrapped. Instead, the plan will more closely resemble the historic design, and will feature 29,000 square feet of retail and 39,725 square feet of offices..."

Democracy Downtown
Downtown L.A. - "We can thank the Japanese American National Museum for the latest gem in downtown's revitalization. The $10.5-million, 33,600-squnk the Japanese American National Museum for the latest gem in downtown's revitalization. The $10.5-million, 33,600-square-foot National Center for the Preservation of Democracy opened last month in Little Tokyo to foster education and dialogue on civil rights and democratic values..."

Escaping Demolition, Landmark Home by Early Black Architect Will Take to the Road
Los Angeles - "Paul Revere Williams, who designed the Morris Landau House, could not have lived in the tony Holmby Hills section of Los Angeles when the home was built there. Williams was black, and in 1936, the year he completed the red brick English-country-style residence, African-Americans were barred by restrictive covenants and prevailing biases from owning property in the best parts of the city..."

That's a Neutra all right
Los Angeles - "A flat roof, walls of glass and a spacious, orderly design. This Santa Monica Canyon home has International style..."

Well, Well: Oil Rigs Return
Los Angeles - "They once ruled Southern California, staking claim to broad stretches of coastline and hillsides. Then, in the 1980s, they began vanishing — driven from their native habitat by tract houses, mini-malls and pesky environmentalists..."

The Times is blind to bulldozers flattening homes
Los Angeles - "The paper has consistently failed to cover the property-seizing excesses of the school district's historic building boom, even in long features about … the district's historic building boom..."

Los Angeles mayor to give last paints to new Hollywood sign
Hollywood - "Mayor of Los Angeles Antonio Villaraigosa will put the finishing touches on the Hollywood sign's new paint job next week to celebrate the completion of a renovation project on the 82-year-old landmark..."

Urban Fabric: Size Matters - Tara and the Ramona
West Hollywood - "The Ramona and Tara will be tattered remnants of their former glorious selves if these projects go forward, due to requirements being placed on the sites by the developers..."

Residents Try to Save Regency Apartments
West Hollywood - "Apartment complex was once home to Marilyn, Stevie Wonder and Johnny Depp; When Jaime Gomez received notice that had 180 days before he was to be evicted from his Hollywood apartment, he decided to fight his pending ejection the only way he knew how..."

Surprise! 415 PCH Project To Increase Traffic
Santa Monica - "The Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for City’s redevelopment at 415 Pacific Coast Highway found that the project would cause “significant and unavoidable” traffic impacts at two intersections..."

Old Values Survive at Newland
Huntington Beach - "The 107-year-old pioneer home in Huntington Beach provides a glimpse of the area's simpler, rural past..."

Mediterranean mood in Malibu
Malibu - "In a bargain that might rival the sale of Manhattan, Frederick and May Rindge bought the entire 27-mile Malibu coastline for $30,000 in 1892..."



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