_____ 1986
VI ....~II,VFIIId — I Fit rIt~UUF~t~ Ser. No. 11,~,( I ~3 LI ‘ (5~ DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HABS____ HAER_____ NR ~ SHL Loc_
UTM: A ~ ______
HISTORIC RESOURCES INVENTORY C ______D ______
IDENTIFICATION 1. Common name: None ______
2. Historic name: Tooey; T.A. Estate -
3. Street or rural address: 1700 Lexington Road
City Beverly Hills zip 90210 county Los Angeles
4. Parcel number: 4345—002—003
5. Present Owner: ______Address: ______
City ______Zip ______Ownership is: Public ______Private ______
6. Present Use: Residence Original use: Residence
DESCRIPTION 7a. Architectural style: Tudor Revival 7b. Briefly describe the present physical description of the site or structure and describe any major alterations from its original condition: Located on the southwest corner of Lexington Road and Hartford Way, this is a two story Tudor Revival residence. Unusually massed, with a hipped roof that stretches down to the first floor on the west, the house is sheathed with half—timbered stucco and brick. Originally a traditional palette of red brick, dark brown timbering, and buff—colored stucco was employed, but the entire exterior has been painted a uniform white. At the summit of an inclined, curved driveway, the entry is announced by a gabled hood of exaggerated scale. It is carried on immense, curved brackets. Bands of casement windows with diamond—paning are asymmetrically disposed on the first and second stories. One cluster, a squared bay window with transoms above the casements, is located to the right (west) of the entry and appears on older photographs of the house. The placement of other windows has been somewhat modified, apparently by Miss Marion Davies, whose name is associated with the house shortly after its construc tion.
8. Construction date: 1922
Estimated ______Factual X
9. Architect ______Clarke; William M.
10. Builder______Unknown
11. Approx. property size (in feet) Frontage Depth or approx. acreage
12. Date(s) of enclosed photograpt~(s)
;;~.- _._./-
L1II~ ~ ~IwV. ~ 13~ Condition: Excellent L...... GOOd X Fair_ Deteriorated _____ No longer in existence ______
14. Alterations:
1 5~ Surroundings: (Ch:~ck ttlore than one if necessary) Open land — Scattered buildings Densely built-up X
Residential X h dustrial _____Commercial ______Other: ______
16. Threats to site: None knownjLPrivate development Zoning ____ Vandalism _____
Public Works project _____ Other: ______
12... Is the structure: OnR~ original site? X Moved? ______Unknown? ______
tS_. Related features: -
SIGNIFICANCE 19. Briefly state historical id/or architectural importance (include dates, events, and persons associated with the site.) In the 1920s, the parcels in close proximity to the Beverly Hills Hotel were among the most sought—after in the City. The estates of Burton Green, King Gillette, Harry Robinson, and Irving Hellman were the showplaces of the Beverly Hills lifestyle. In the early 1920s, the pioneers and wealthy businessmen were joined by film stars who chose the area north of Sunset for homesites because of its privacy and natural beauty. In 1922, architect William Clark designed a modified Tudor residence for T.A. Tooey on the southwest corner of Lexington Road and Hartford Way. The use of brick helped the. home attain “individuality and character,” claimed the L.A. Pressed Brick Company in its September, 1925 advertisement in Pacific Coast Architect. The property was acquired by actress Marion Davies within a few years of •its construc tion. Davies made alterations to the dining room and baths, and in 1940 added a screening room. Davies, a talented comedienne and Broadway showgirl, was part of the Ziegfieid Follies when she became the companion of newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst in 1916. Hearst formed Cosmopolitan Pictures to produce her films, which were (see continuation sheet)
Locational sketch map (draw and label site and surrounding streets, roads, and prominent landmarks): 20. Main theme of the historic resource: (Ifmore than one is ~NORTH checked, number in order of importance.)
Architecture X ftjt~ & Leisure ______
Economic/Industrial — ExplorationjSettlement ______
Government ______Military ______
Religion ______Social/Education ______
21. Sources (List books, doaiments. surveys, personal interviews and their dates). City of Beverly Hills building permits See continuation sheet Pacific Coast Architect, September 1925.
22. Date form prepared November, 1986 By (name) C. McAvov & L. Heumann
~I~III~QLl~tI City of Beverly Hills Mdress: 450 N. Crescent Dr.
City - Beverly Hills zip9021° Pt)one: (213) 550—4881 CONTINUATION SHEET: 1700 Lexington Road
19. Significance:
released by Paramount, Goldwyn, and Metro—Goldwyn—Mayer. Davies made the majority of her movies between 1919 and 1934. In 1937, she retired from films to become a successful business executive. One of Hollywoods most famous hostesses, Davies and Hearst entertained lavishly in Beverly Hills, at her beach house in Santa Monica, and at Hearst Castle in San Simeon. The house was sold in the late 194Os to Harry Cohn, president of Columbia Studios. Although its grounds have been subdivided, the resi dence remains a significant example of its style and type, having served as Miss Daviess primary residence for the majority of her film career. BENEDICT CANON DRIVE
N) Co Co
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CD N) I-J. CO GD Co 0~ 0 Co 0 It State of California — The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI # CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial NRHP Status Code: 3S Page 1 of I Resource Name or # T.A. Tooey Estate El Continuation ~ Update
P2. Location: 1700 Lexington Rd.
BlO Significance: This building appears in good condition with no significant alterations visible since the property was last evaluated in the 1985-1986 survey. It appears individually eligible for National Register, California Register and local listing or designation.
P5b DescriptionlDate of Photo: June, 2004
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P8. Recorded by: Jan Ostashay, Peter Moruzzi, PCR Services, One Venture, Suite 150, Irvine, CA 92618
P9. Date Recorded: Tuesday, June 01, 2004
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