1935 Remodelinq A fall 1935 remodeling of 6780 greatly reduced the overall building volume. As a result of a Highland Avenue street widening program, the structure height was reduced to one story (approximately 26'-0") which required demolition of the top three floors. The entire Highland Avenue facade was also removed from its granite base and moved 15'-0" east to allow additional space for the street widening. It was during this construction that the exterior walls became reinforced concrete. All existing interior columns were removed and replaced with single span roof trusses (Summerbell) and an ornamental ceiling installed. Approximately $40,000 was spent by the owners for the reconstruction with an additional $20,000 spent by Bank of America for interior changes and modern bank fixtures. The bank occupied the entire new building with the exception of a small storeroom built at the rear of the structure facing Highland Avenue. Existing safe deposit box facilities in the basement were moved to the ground floor, although the bank vaults remained in the basement (according to newspaper accounts). However, the permit for new work lists the installation and building of a new vault; its location was not noted. It was noted that business continued without interruption, despite the size of work. Upon completion, the structure dimensions were lis 64'-0" on Hollywood Existinq Buildinq Condition Exterior The existing building remains a Beaux-Arts classical one-story reinforced concrete building; essentially the same since 1935. The exterior is clad interra cotta resting on a minimal granite base. The front (Hollywood Boulevard) facade has entrances and windows recessed between Corinthian pilasters. Three identical entrances consist of a pair of doors surrounded by decorative metal framework panels. One set of doors remains original from the 1924 remodel. The entablature for both the front and side facades consists of a simple architrave, decorated frieze, and a slight project- ing cornice with a leaf design. The slightly stepped facade above the entablature is plain except for two small medallions. A slightly pitched roof enclosure is covered with red clay tiles. The Highland Avenue facade differs only slightly from the Hollywood Boulevard one in that the pilasters are flat instead of round. A night depository is located in the northernmost bay and an access door and ATM machine are located in the southernmost bay. There is an alleyway located behind the building, though no access into the building currently uses this area. Generally, the exterior building is in remarkably good (historical) condition, although the entire facade needs to be cleaned of years of accumulated paint and dirt. Exterior conc.rete, tilework, terra cotta, and metal trim all require cleaning and restoration. Interior Ground floor 1. Floor - Marble from the 1924 remodel remains in the main public (center) area. Other areas are covered in linoleum or carpet which need to be removed for investigation of underlying materials. Existinq Building Condition, continued Interior, continued 2. Walls - Stepped pilasters divide the wall planes into bays, repeating outside bay dimensions. Existing HVAC screens are located in both pilasters (north and east walls) and recessed wall planes (south wall). Painted wainscoting appears to be from one of the post-1935 remodelings. The vault is a dominating feature with no ornamental character. 3. Ceilinq - Plaster cornice and ceiling trim remain intact. Simple ceiling bands with minimal relief surround slightly recessed ceiling planes currently surfaced with acoustical ceiling tile (over non-decorative plaster substrate). 4. Liqhts - Present lighting throughout the building uses hanging or ceiling mounted fluorescent fixtures with no historical significance. Basement 1. A large storeroom (stockroom) has scored (approximately 6" x 6" dimensions) concrete floors. All other floors are linoleum or plain concrete (mechanical rooms). 2. A former wood enclosed phone booth (date unknown) is located under the front stair. This stairway is intact with some decorative elements, but is not usable due to an infilled first floor opening. 3. All the rooms have been modified or remodeled and appear to have no historical references remaining. 4. Restrooms must be verified for compliance with Title 24 accessibility codes. 5. The basement is currently only accessible by one (back) stair. Existing Buildinq Condition, continued Interior, continued Unlike the exterior, the overall interior has not retained its historical character. Perhaps the only (significant) features remaining include the main floor plaster ceiling cornice and plaster trimwork (banding), the main space marble, and the presently floored over front stair. All other bank fixture (vault excluded), lights, and materials have been too repeatedly replaced to allow for any historical references. Brief History of Federal Trust and Savings Bank The Federal Trust and Savings Bank was organized in October 1922 by a group of Hollywood businessmen interested in the upbuilding of an institution that would have a vital part in the commercial life of the community. The bank opened for business, Saturday, October 7, 1922 in a temporary location in the Christie hotel building at 6740 Hollywood Boulevard. Among the Board of Directors were prominent citizens C.E. Toberman, President: Cecil B. DeMille, Vice-president; George Eastman, Vice-president; A.J. Olsen, Vice-president and Manager; and J.E. Brewer, Cashier. New headquarters were opened December 1, 1924 in the newly, remodeled Toberman Building at 6780 Hollywood Boulevard. The banking hours were 10 to 10 opening day. A ten dollar Gillette safety razor was given to every one opening a savings account of ten dollars or more on that day. All day radio concerts were featured as well as an evening concert from 7:30 until closing time featuring violin, harp, and violin. By 1925, 'Hollywood's Home Bank' had de?osits of $2,000,000 and controlling interest was acquired by Joseph M. Schenck and Associates. Activities were expected to be enlarged with particular attention to the needs and problems of motion picture people. Thus providing a closer relationship between picture interests and the commercial life of Hollywood. In 1926, Federal Trust and Savings Chairman of the Board, C.E. Toberman announced the appointment of S.G. Socher as executive vice president of the institution. Socher was considered to be one of the best financial experts on the Pacific Coast. The bank's rapid success ranked it among the largest independent banks in Hollywood and its board of directors was equally impressive. Listed among the 'Motion Picture Bank' Board of Directors in 1926 were such cinema leaders as Sid Grauman, Fred Niblo, Sidney Franklin, Louis B. Mayer, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, and Norma Talmadge. Appendix -- Permit Listinq *11/6/13 #I4475 $35,000 Application for the Erection of Building. 4 storv,-. 52'-0" hish,- - concrete and brick (upper floors),composition roof, 47 rooms. 71'-8 1/4" x 74'-0". Permit lists use of building as tenement house, with no buildings within 30'-0". 3 storerooms ground floor, 8 office suites second floor, 16 apartments in two and three room suites with private baths and disappearing beds. C.E. Toberman Investment Co.; Owner Ellet Parcher; Architect Same permit lists changes on plans Permit to alter, repair or demolish. Lists issue to cover increase in cost to permit #14475. Original construction permit for adjoining storefronts (6772, 6774, 6776, 6778) Apartments, office and stores as use. C.E. Toberman Investment Co; Owner E.P. Parcher; Architect (on permit) (Frank Meline listed as architect in Hollywood Citizen News article September 18, 1914) Install two drop ladder fire escapes (Jackson Iron Works) . Building Use: Hotel and storefronts; 4 stories, 60 rooms, 60' x 80' C.E. Toberman; Owner Add to Bank and Office Building. Entire exterior remodeled. Interior ground floor and basement areas remodeled for new bank. New fixtures and steel vaults in basement. C.E. Toberman; Owner Morgan, Walls, and Clements; Architects Simpson Construction Co.; Builders Permit to wreck building. Holmes Investment Co.; Owner Los Angeles Wrecking Co; Builder Alter Bank and Apartment Building. (Top three floors removed and Highland Avenue facade moved back 15'-0") Holmes Investment Co.; Owner Morgan Walls, and Clements; Architects Dinwiddie Construction Co; Contractor Musto-Keenan Co; Contr (marble) L.E. Emanuel, Inc.; Contr (bank fixtures) Seaside Products Corp; Contr (rubber flooring) Federal Ornamental Iron & Bronze Co; Contr. Construction uses 13 tons of reinforced steel and 400 BBL's of tested cement. Bibliography "Another New Building for the Boulevard," Hollywood Citizen News, vol. 10, #23, Sept. 18, 1914, p. 1. "Bank Building Remodeling to Cost $60,000," Hollywood Daily Citizen, June 21, 1935, p. 1. "Federal Bank's Home," Holly Leaves, vol. XIII, Nov. 28, 1924, p. 47. "Guest Received at Federal Bank," Hollywood Daily Citizen, Dec. 2, 1924,~.2. "'Home Bank.' Will Open Monday," Hollywood Daily Citizen, Nov. 28, 1924, p. 2. Williams, Mrs. J. Luke, "Bankers, Hollywood's Master Builders," Coast Banker, No. 3, Sept. 1926, p. 278. Southwest Builder -and Contractor References Building News August 23, 1935, p. 56. June 14, 1935, p. 54. May 2, 1924, p. 57. April 25, 1924, p. 52. Contracts Awarded June 21, 1935, p. 50. Los Angeles Permits June 28, 1935, p. 54. June 13, 1924, p. 60. Notices of Completion Nov. 10, 1936, p. 69. ~. .. , ngs Bank ...." HIGHLAND AVENUE State of California -The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION # I HR Trinomial / PRIMARY RECORD NRHP Status Code ! Other Listings i Review Code Reviewer Date i Page -1- of _1 Resource Name or #: PI. Other Identifier: 68QlHQLL-W3!C2QLlB~E~D ' PZ. ~ocation: O~otfor Publication OUnrestricted a. county LQSAneeles b. USGS 7.5'Quad- Date T-; R-; - 114 of -114 of Sec-; B.M. c. Address 6K0HQUX&!QQ~~~ityLOS An~eles Zip d. UTM: (Give more than one for large andlor linear feature) Zone -, m El mN e.