NEWS Mar/Apr 2015 • Volume 37 Number 2 Walking Tour Program Turns 35 by Annie Laskey This year, the Conservancy celebrates the thirty-fifth anniversary of our award-winning Walking Tour Program through year-long promotions and special events. The celebration will kick off on Sunday, March 22, with a day of tours at City Hall, one of the most iconic buildings in Los An- geles. This special day will be the only tours of City Hall that the Conservancy will be of- fering in 2015. Tickets are $5 for members and children 12 and under and $10 for the general public. The 1.5-hour tours will take Parker Center, currently threatened with demolition and the focus of a panel discussion on March 22. place between 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. The Photo by Hunter Kerhart. tour is presented in partnership with Project Restore. For details and reservations, visit Preserving Places with Difficult Histories laconservancy.org/city-hall-tour. by Adrian Scott Fine As the preservation movement evolves and matures, we at the Conservancy increasingly find ourselves advocating for places that may not always engender strong positive feelings or associations from the public. Sometimes we face the complete opposite, when a site’s history is so mired in controversial events or personalities that people can’t imagine preserving it. Yet significance can encompass both positive and negative elements, and places with such signifi- cance can teach us valuable lessons and empower us to face, and own, the totality of our history. Preserving places with difficult histories is not new to the Conservancy. For instance, our nearly twenty-year effort to preserve the iconic Ambassador Hotel became much more difficult with opposition from the family of Robert F. Kennedy, who was assassinated there in 1968. We all know that history is not always pretty. It can be painful, and it includes some events, actions, and outcomes that we would like to forget. We need to ask ourselves: are we being honest and preserving the full, authentic story of a place, or only the bits and pieces that form our preferred image of history? On Sunday, March 22, the Conservancy will tackle this issue in a free public event. An expert panel will explore the difficult history of Parker Center, the former Los Angeles Police Tours of City Hall will be offered Sunday, March 22. Department headquarters that is currently threatened with demolition. (See page 2 for event Photo by Annie Laskey/L.A. Conservancy. details.) Please see WALKING TOURS on page 4 Located at 150 North Los Angeles Street in downtown L.A., Parker Center is perhaps best known as the backdrop for television’s long-running Dragnet television series and home I N S I D E to Sergeant Joe Friday. It currently stands vacant in a prime location. Some in the City’s Conservancy News 2 administration are calling for its demolition and replacement with a new, twenty-plus-story Issues 3 tower to house City staff. The Conservancy, our Modern Committee, the Little Tokyo Historical Society, and others Last Remaining Seats 4 Please see PARKER CENTER on page 6 Membership 7 CONSERVANCY NEWS

Free Panel Discussion on Parker Center March 22 Los Angeles Conservancy 523 W. Sixth Street, Suite 826 The Stories You Are About to Hear Are True: Preserving Parker Center Los Angeles, California 90014 FREE Panel Discussion and Reception (213) 623-2489 Fax: (213) 623-3909 laconservancy.org Sunday, March 22, 3:30 p.m. LAPD Police Administration Building, Ronald F. Deaton Civic Auditorium The Los Angeles Conservancy is a nonprofit mem- 100 West First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 bership organization that works through education and advocacy to recognize, preserve, and revitalize For more information and to RSVP, visit laconservancy.org/parkercenterpanel the historic architectural and cultural resources of Los Angeles County. Join the Conservancy and community stakeholders for a conversation about the many Stay connected! layers of history at Parker Center (originally the Police Facilities Building, Welton Becket laconservancy.org facebook.com/losangelesconservancy & Associates and J. E. Stanton, 1955). While many know it from the hit 1950s television twitter.com/laconservancy police drama Dragnet, this building has a deeper and sometimes controversial history. instagram.com/laconservancy The City of Los Angeles, through its Bureau of Engineering, is pressing for a rede- velopment project that will demolish and replace Parker Center (see cover story). The Board of Directors Hernan Hernandez, President Conservancy believes that Parker Center can and should be preserved and integrated into James Camp, VP Education/Community Relations new construction. At this panel discussion, you will hear about the viable preservation Maxine Greenspan, VP Membership/Development alternatives, and through the conversation with the panelists, you will learn why it is Rita Morales Patton, VP Advocacy Wesley Phoa, PhD; VP Finance/Administration important from a historic and cultural perspective to preserve this building. Linda Bruckheimer; Alice Carr; Mike Deasy; Panelists will speak from a number of different points of view about Parker Center’s Elizabeth Edwards Harris, PhD; Diane Keaton; significance: David C. Martin, FAIA; Andrew Meieran; Andy Meyers; Karen Miller; Eric B. Moore; Cedd Moses; Stacy Paek; • Innovative modern design by one of L.A.’s most prolific firms, Welton Becket & Bill E. Roschen, FAIA; Susan Strauss; Ted Tanner, AIA; Associates, and its integration of public art and landscaping Jan Westman; Raymond Wu • Importance as the most modern and state-of-the-art police facility of its day Advisory Council Charmaine Atherton; Margaret Bach; • Construction as an early urban renewal project that demolished a major portion of Sally S. Beaudette; Bruce Corwin; Tim Disney; George A. V. Dunning; Amy Forbes; Little Tokyo, as well as subsequently affecting the development of that neighbor- Douglas J. Gardner; Albert Greenstein; Curtis Hanson; hood Greg Harless; Robert S. Harris, FAIA; Mary Kay Hight; Dr. Thomas S. Hines; Kathryn Welch Howe; • Association with Chief William H. Parker, whose time as police chief reduced Stephanie Kingsnorth, AIA, LEED AP; Michael LaFetra; corruption in the force, but also resulted in strained relations with the African- Brenda Levin, FAIA; Ronald S. Lushing; American and Latino communities Robert F. Maguire III; Christy McAvoy; Thomas R. Miller; Frank Romero; Jack Rubens; • Significance as a site of important historic events, such as the 1992 Los Angeles riots Alan Sieroty; Alison Silver; Joel Wachs; John H. Welborne; Roland A. Wiley, AIA; Ken Williams; A reception with light refreshments will follow the panel discussion. For more informa- Dr. Robert W. Winter tion, and to reserve your seat at this free event, visit laconservancy.org/parkercenterpanel. Lifetime Cornerstone Come early and spend the day enjoying the Civic Center. Also on March 22, we will George A. V. Dunning kick off the thirty-fifth anniversary of our Walking Tour Program with a one-day-only Leonard Hill special tour of City Hall. To register for a tour, visit laconservancy.org/city-hall-tour. Stephen and Christy McAvoy John H. and Martha L. Welborne Staff By-Law Updates Coming Soon – Please Vote Linda Dishman, Executive Director Lizette S. Aguilar, Salesforce Administrator To keep pace with changes in nonprofit governance, the Conservancy is updating its Marcella Akop, Administrative Assistant by-laws. We last updated the by-laws in 1990, and most of the new changes simply bring Laura Dominguez, Preservation Coordinator them up to current standards and best practices for nonprofits. Adrian Scott Fine, Director of Advocacy Jessica Hodgdon, Communications Coordinator We’ll need your help in this process, since these amendments must be approved by Manuel A. Huerta, Community Outreach Coordinator the Conservancy membership in a vote. Adrienne Kisson, Development Manager We will include a summary of the changes in the May/June issue of this newsletter, Annie Laskey, Program Manager Liz Leshin, Director of Development along with a ballot for you to vote on the changes (in addition to new board members, as Tiffany Narváez, PR and Marketing Coordinator you’ve done in the past). Please keep an eye out for this issue in late April and take a Cindy Olnick, Director of Communications few minutes to cast and return your vote. Sara Roberts, Membership Assistant If possible, we will also provide the opportunity for you to vote online. Katie Sanborn, Office Manager Bruce Scottow, Educational Outreach Coordinator Thank you in advance for your help! Marcello Vavala, Preservation Associate Sarah Weber, Director of Education

2 los angeles conservancy news ISSUES Preservation Issues by Laura Dominguez, Adrian Scott Fine, Manuel Huerta, and Marcello Vavala For more information about these coverage. Los Angeles City Councilmember Cultural Monument and for listing in the and other preservation issues, please visit Paul Koretz, whose district includes Norms California Register of Historical Resources. laconservancy.org/important-issues. La Cienega, pledged his strong support for the nomination, as did the new owners of the Beverly Hills Cultural Heritage Norms La Cienega Safe restaurant chain. A representative for the new property Ordinance (for Now) owner told the CHC that the owner has no On January 15, a liaison committee led As you may have seen in the press and current plans to demolish the building. The by Beverly Hills Mayor Lili Bosse and Coun- social media, Norms La Cienega Coffee Shop Conservancy has launched a petition on cilmember John Mirisch rejected far-reaching has seen a recent whirlwind of activity. The Change.org urging the property owner to revisions to the City’s Cultural Heritage Ordi- 1957 Googie icon, designed by the renowned vacate the active demolition permit as a sign nance that could have jeopardized the City’s firm of Armet & Davis, received temporary of good faith. A+ grade on the Conservancy’s 2014 Preser- protection from demolition after its new prop- vation Report Card. If passed, the proposed erty owner obtained a demolition permit. On Chase Bank/Lytton Savings amendments to its ordinance would have had January 15, the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage a chilling effect on local preservation. Commission (CHC) voted unanimously to In November 2014, the City of Los Ange- Since late 2013, efforts have been under- consider an application for Historic-Cultural les released the Draft Environmental Impact way to refine the Cultural Heritage Ordinance Monument (HCM) status. Report (DEIR) for the 8150 Sunset Boulevard in order to streamline certain procedures for Mixed-Use Project, proposed for the south- homeowners and to meet state and national west corner of Sunset and Crescent Heights standards for local preservation programs. Boulevards. While we are having good Despite the success of the City’s preservation conversations with the owner and their team program since the adoption of the ordinance about preservation alternatives, the current in 2012, the Planning Commission’s proposed project calls for the demolition of the former amendments sought to restrict both the quan- Lytton Savings (currently Chase) building, a tity and the types of historic resources eligible 1960 Modern bank building distinguished by for protection. The Conservancy, along with its zigzag folded-plate roof. Beverly Hills Heritage, has voiced strong Norms La Cienega. Photo by Hunter Kerhart. The Conservancy, along with our Modern concerns over the consequences of these Committee and Hollywood Heritage, strongly extensive changes. For nearly sixty years, this hallmark of considers Lytton Savings to be significant Proposed revisions included the insertion Mid-Century Modernism has been the flag- both locally and regionally as an important of restrictive landmark designation criteria, ship location of the Norms restaurant chain. expression of American bank design and the prohibition of historic districts in areas In late 2014, the business’ former owners postwar architecture. Designed by Kurt W. zoned for single-family residences, and the re- announced the sale of the chain and the La Meyer and featuring an integrated art pro- quirement that all nominations without owner Cienega property to separate entities. gram, the building is one of Los Angeles’ consent meet additional criteria. The Planning With the building’s future uncertain, in earliest remaining examples of postwar sav- Commission also proposed changing the December the Conservancy nominated Norms ings and loans institutions, which were in name of the Cultural Heritage Commission La Cienega for designation as an HCM for high demand due to the housing boom of the to the Historic Preservation Commission, its association with Armet & Davis, its pio- 1950s and ’60s. which concerns stakeholders by removing neering Googie design, and its enduring sig- In our response to the DEIR, the Con- the cultural association to the commission. nificance in Los Angeles’ postwar landscape. servancy urged the City to further evaluate The Cultural Heritage and Planning On January 5, the new owner of the Norms and select one of two preservation alterna- Commissions are now working on an amend- property (not the restaurant chain) applied for tives that would retain and incorporate the ed version of the ordinance. We anticipate the and received a demolition permit. Lytton Savings building into the proposed revised ordinance to go to the City Council in The Conservancy first learned of the project. The preferred project would demol- March or early April. demolition permit on January 13, two days be- ish the two-story building and replace it with fore the CHC hearing. Public response to the a similarly sized commercial building. We news was swift and impassioned—our post believe that the existing historic structure on Facebook reached over 600,000 people, can be successfully integrated into the new and the story received international media development while maintaining its eligibility for designation as a Los Angeles Historic-

Mar | Apr 2015 3 PROGRAMS WALKING TOURS Last Remaining Seats Member Tickets continued from page 1 Also scheduled on March 22 is a on Sale March 25 panel discussion about preserving Parker by Sarah Weber Center, another Civic Center landmark The twenty-ninth year of the Conser- (see page 2 for details on the panel). vancy’s signature film series offers something The Walking Tour Program began in for everyone, with classic films ranging from 1980, when volunteer Lynn Taylor and a the 1930s to the 1980s screened in six beauti- handful of other Conservancy volunteers ful and distinct historic theatres. organized regularly scheduled walking As always, Conservancy members enjoy tours to augment the special events the advance purchase and discounts on tickets. Conservancy had offered since our found- Tickets go on sale to members at 10 a.m. on ing in 1978. Wednesday, March 25 and to the general public on Wednesday, April 8. Tickets are The first two tours offered were Per- The silent film City Lights is considered one of Charlie shing Square Landmarks and Broadway $16 for Conservancy members ($20 for gen- Chaplin’s best works. The film premiered at the Los eral public). For details, visit laconservancy. Angeles Theatre in 1931; it will again appear at the Los Theatres, followed a year or two later by Angeles Theatre on June 13. Image courtesy MK2 and Palaces of Finance. Those three tours are org. the Chaplin office. still offered regularly, although the names We offer special thanks to our 2015 are now Historic Downtown, Broadway Last Remaining Seats sponsors (as of press 2015 LRS Lineup Theatre and Commercial District, and time): Series Star Sponsor: Hollywood For- (subject to change) Downtown Renaissance, respectively. eign Press Association. Series Supporting Wednesday, June 10 Over the years, many tours have Sponsor: Shangri-la Construction/Webcor Million Dollar Theatre been added and discontinued, with eight Builders. Series Sponsors: Clifton’s and regularly scheduled tours currently of- The Edison, NBC Universal, Trina Turk, Psycho (1960) fered. In 2014, the program reached an Paramount. Screening Sponsors: Linda and Saturday, June 13 all-time high of 11,500 tourgoers. Jerry Bruckheimer, Cole’s, Hugh Hefner, The The heart and soul of the program are Music Center, Steve and Cathy Needleman. Los Angeles Theatre the volunteer docents. Reflecting a wide Media Sponsors: Laemmle Theatres, Los An- City Lights (1931) range of ages, backgrounds, professions, geles Downtown News, Yelp. Latin American and interests, each docent is completely Cinemateca of Los Angeles Sponsors: Hol- Wednesday, June 17 engaged with the city and its history, lywood Foreign Press Association, City of Palace Theatre bringing the architecture to life with their Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, Dios se lo pague/God Bless knowledge, enthusiasm, and insights. Los Angeles County Arts Commission, CBS You (1948) Currently, eighty-six active docents Television Studios. co-presented with the Latin American give tours, nearly twenty of whom have Cinemateca of Los Angeles been leading Conservancy tours for over Saturday, June 20 ten years. The Music Center's Side by side with the veteran docents Dorothy Chandler Pavilion are newcomers to the program. In 2014, sixteen new docents went through the How to Marry a Millionaire four-month training class and are now (1953) bringing their energy and unique view Wednesday, June 24 of the city to the tours. The next docent training class is tentatively scheduled for Orpheum Theatre early 2016. Willy Wonka & the Chocolate The twenty-ninth season of Last Remaining Seats We hope you’ll join us in celebrating opens at the Million Dollar Theatre (1918) with a Factory (1971) the thirty-fifth anniversary of this signa- screening of the Alfred Hitchcock classic, Psycho (1960). ture Conservancy program. For updates Saturday, June 27 on special events, visit laconservancy. The Theatre at Ace Hotel org and/or subscribe to our E-News and/ Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) or Events emails (click the “Newsletter” matinee and evening screenings link at the top of any page on our website, or edit your website user profile).

4 los angeles conservancy news PROGRAMS

Garden Apartment Microsite Debuts Online 2015 VOLUNTEER AWARDS

30+ Years of Service Steve Partida, Mary Alice Wollam, Ed Trosper, Robert Manners, Gordon Johnson, Marcia Hanford, Richard Webber

Our new Curating the City: We Heart Garden Apartments microsite explores the legacy of L.A. County’s historic garden apartment communities, which are increasingly vulnerable to demolition. by Laura Dominguez The Conservancy is pleased to share the turning veterans and their families. 25 Years of Service newest installment in our Curating the City se- Although garden apartments continue Margaret Briggs, Martha Gruft, ries. The We Heart Garden Apartments micro- to be great places to live today, the Los Gail Ostergren site at laconservancy.org/gardenapartments is Angeles-area communities are increasingly (not pictured: Ruth Ann Wentsel) the latest addition to our ever-growing website vulnerable resources. Their large sites, low at laconservancy.org. density, and valuable real estate put them at Curating the City: We Heart Garden risk for demolition and redevelopment. Our Apartments explores the legacy of Los An- new microsite represents our latest efforts to geles’ thriving collection of historic garden raise awareness of this remarkable collection apartment communities. Featuring in-depth of historic places in the county. profiles of nine complexes, including Estrada In tandem with the Curating the City mi- Courts, Lincoln Place, Park La Brea, and The crosite, we have revamped a bilingual (Eng- Village Green, the microsite describes the lish/Spanish) section of our website dedicated 15 Years of Service history of garden apartments, as well as the to Wyvernwood Garden Apartments in Boyle Nicole Thompson, Lee Fink, Howard Fink, Herb Silverman Heights (laconservancy.org/wyvernwood). increasing threat facing many garden apart- (not pictured: Dennis Ritchey) ment communities today. You can explore Visit these pages to learn more about the lay- these historic communities through a search- ers of history within the community and the able map, with options to filter by architect, ongoing campaign to save Wyvernwood, the style, location, decade, and more. first large-scale garden apartment community Based on the twentieth-century Garden built in Los Angeles. City Movement, garden apartment communi- We hope you’ll visit our website to ties epitomize Southern California’s indoor/ explore these places and to share your own outdoor lifestyle. They are generally known stories about Los Angeles historic garden for “superblocks” of low-to-medium-rise apartments. And please be sure to sign up for Exemplary Service in 2014 buildings, shared open space, and park-like our Garden Apartment Network mailing list to landscaping. They provided attractive and stay informed on all things garden apartment! Holly Kane, Mary Alice Wollam, affordable alternatives to the substandard Tom Sutherland, Hunter Kerhart, housing of the Great Depression, and they Michelle Gerdes (not pictured: Bud Coffey, Evan Daum) later served as quality housing for defense workers during World War II, as well as re- Photos by Larry Underhill

Mar | Apr 2015 5 ISSUES

PARKER CENTER continued from page 1 are advocating for Parker Center’s preserva- Yet the stories of how Parker Center in Los Angeles history. During his leadership tion and adaptive reuse. In late January, the came to be and what it later symbolized make (1950-1966), he professionalized the police City’s Cultural Heritage Commission voted preserving it all the more challenging and force and developed crime-fighting concepts unanimously to initiate a Historic-Cultural compelling. Before Parker Center, the site that are now standard practice. Yet his tenure Monument (HCM) nomination for the build- contained two of the most vibrant blocks in was also marred with discrimination against ing. Sometime likely in March, the City Little Tokyo. It housed many small mom- the African-American and Latino communi- Council will decide whether to designate and-pop businesses and cultural organizations ties, a deep-rooted problem brought into the Parker Center as an HCM. serving the Japanese-American community. national spotlight during the 1965 Watts riots. Just the Facts Starting in 1948, the City earmarked these Even after Parker’s death in 1966, for many blocks as part of a Civic Center expansion the building continued to symbolize racial When Parker Center was built in 1955, plan and an early form of urban renewal. The inequalities and police brutality in the city. the eight-story, International Style building site was cleared of all existing buildings— The most visible example occurred in 1992, with integrated art and landscaping compo- many of which would be considered historic when protesters surrounded the building fol- nents was a significant postwar addition to if still standing. The property was remade lowing the acquittal of four officers accused the Los Angeles Civic Center. Designed by into a single superblock, with Parker Center’s of brutally beating Rodney King. Welton Becket & Associates and J. E. Stanton construction beginning in 1952. with a landscape by Ralph E. Cornell, Parker Despite being a federally supported pro- Center was then known simply as the Police gram that ended more than forty years ago, Facilities Building (renamed in 1966 for urban renewal remains a touchy subject today, Police Chief William H. Parker). especially for preservationists and for those Exemplifying Becket’s “Total Design” personally affected. Thousands of historic philosophy, the building prominently features buildings, as well as part or all of neighbor- art installations, including a piece by sculptor hoods such as Little Tokyo and Bunker Hill, Bernard J. Rosenthal and one of the largest were lost during this era of massive urban mosaics ever built, the “Theme Mural of Los redevelopment. Parker Center’s construc- People gathered outside Parker Center following the Angeles” by Joseph Louis Young. The build- tion was particularly hard felt: in addition to jury’s decision in the Rodney King case in 1992. Photo ing’s innovative design, which integrated by Gary Leonard, Gary Leonard Collection/Los Angeles displacing hundreds of Japanese Americans, Public Library. virtually all departments into a centralized it spurred feelings that history was repeating facility, was critically acclaimed at the itself, as some of these same people had been Some argue that it is counter-intuitive, or time as a model for modernizing the police forcibly removed just a decade earlier and at the very least ironic, to now want to pre- force—as were the state-of-the-art crime confined in World War II internment camps. serve a place like Parker Center. Yet without labs and communications center. In 1956, Parker Center’s role in telling the story of the physical place in which these events hap- Popular Mechanics called Parker Center Little Tokyo’s history is not without contro- pened, it is infinitely harder to tell the stories “the most scientific building ever used by a versy. Yet it is also meaningful and something and demonstrate just how far we have come. law-enforcement group.” many do not want to forget or wipe away The fact that Parker Center brings out By these facts alone, Parker Center’s through demolition. “Preserving the building so many strong feelings only underscores its significance is undeniable. The building has is important, and it should not be destroyed role in Los Angeles’ history and how it helps been identified as individually eligible for the and forgotten after a life of only sixty years,” us remember our past while also allowing California Register of Historical Resources says Michael Okamura, president of the Little us to move forward. In a recent piece about and as a contributor to a National Register- Tokyo Historical Society. why older buildings matter, Tom Mayes at eligible historic district of the Los Angeles In September 2014, the Little Tokyo the National Trust for Historic Preservation Civic Center. Historical Society joined the Conservancy wrote, “[t]he history of an old place may be in urging the City to support a preservation viewed differently over time—and interpreted alternative that calls for preserving the main and reinterpreted as our conception of who portion of Parker Center while allowing for we are as a people changes.” an expansion at the rear of the site. Learn more about the difficult history In addition to Parker Center’s early urban of Parker Center at our free panel discussion, renewal roots, its subsequent layers of history “The Stories You Are About to Hear Are were not always perceived as positive. Wil- True: Preserving Parker Center,” on Sunday, liam H. Parker, who oversaw the building’s March 22, at the LAPD Police Administra- Detail of “Theme Mural of Los Angeles” by Joseph construction, was one of the most distin- tion Building in downtown Los Angeles. See Louis Young, a large mosaic featured in the lobby of Parker Center. Photo by Larry Underhill. guished—and controversial—police chiefs page 2 for details.

6 los angeles conservancy news MEMBERSHIP DECEMBER 5 / JANUARY 28 MEMBERSHIP MEMBERSHIP REPORT MATTERS

The Los Angeles Conservancy would like to acknowledge the MEMBER PROFILE: SUSANA generous contributions of our new Supporting members, and the new and renewing members of our Sustaining, Benefactor, and HERNANDEZ-ARAICO Cornerstone groups. by Sara Roberts

CORPORATE TRAVERTINE Essex Property Trust Martin and Melrose Schwartz Darryl & Alice Mallory CORNERSTONE Marla Felber and Ronald Segall Robert Marenche Susana Her- ($10,000 and above) Raymond Kwan Lake and Allison Setzler Myrna and Irving Margol Capital Group Jennifer Glimpse Saltzman Eve and Christopher Sheedy Deena Margolis and nandez-Araico and Michael Saltzman Sandra Lee Snider Andrew Cowan TRAVERTINE James F. Goldstein Dennis and Lisa Supanich Dan Marmalefsky and has been a mem- CORNERSTONE Dennis Grant Gigi Szabo Sandra Klein ($10,000 and above) Michael Hagler and Regina Taylor Robert and Louise Martin ber of the Los Tylie Jones Susan Littenberg Tadeo Toulis Patricia Mascarenas Wesley Phoa and Douglas Herzbrun Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Ronald Mathieu Angeles Conser- Margaret Morgan Sandra Hooper A. Upshaw L. Carolyn McDemas Zach Horowitz Fran Varga (in memory of vancy since 1998. MARBLE CORNERSTONE Katherine Welch Howe and Martin and Helen P. Wachs James McDemas) ($5,000 - $9,999) Con Howe Beth and Andy Waisler Heather McLarty She first joined Americo Cascella Mark Itkin Carol Ann Warren Betty McLaughlin Lois and Michael Jacobs Marcia Williams and Michael and Miriam Meyer the Conservancy CORPORATE GRANITE Kevin Jarzynski Gene Lucero Harriet Miles CORNERSTONE Catherine Jurca and Libby Wilson Lewis and Lynn Mingori because she wanted to get to know ($2,500 - $4,999) Scott Fraser Flora Yin S. J. Mulholland, Inc. Historic Resources Group David Landau and Alden and Jane Munson Los Angeles, her adopted city, bet- Morley-PCL, A Joint Venture James Landau SUPPORTING Dagmar Muthamia Myman Greenspan Fineman Tony Lucente ($100 - $249) Susan Nelson ter. As a lover of history, she has Fox Rosenberg & Adel and Doss Mabe Patricia Adams Patricia Nettleship Light LLP Lydia and Nick McCutchen Sue Aylward Rozann and William Newman a firm belief that “one cannot un- NBC Universal Susan McNamara and Wanda Baldwin Rosalie Olson Shangri-La Construction Dan Wooten Bevanne and Mr. and Mrs. Ron O’Meara derstand a place’s present without Shomof Group Marian and John Niles Jeffrey Upperman Jean Oppenheimer Jim and Joyce Olds Barbara Beckley Robert Padnick and understanding its past.” GRANITE CORNERSTONE Gregg and Anthony Bellasalma, Jr. and Sarah Wick ($2,500 - $4,999) Debbie Oppenheimer Susan Bullington Katz Sue Parilla and Soon after joining, Susana Maxine and Eric Greenspan Jonas Paterno and Martha and Jim Bissell Theodore Krontiris Michael Hanel and Sarah Sinha Rodney Boone Jeff and Rebecca Penso became a walking tour docent. Steven Linder Evelyn Stern Blenda and Ashley Brennan Jon Philion Helen Pekny Michael Brittain Jane and Don Pinkerton Her tour route started and ended Roger Stoker and SUSTAINING Larry and Elena Bruns Zuzka Polishook Michael Ostrow ($250 - $499) Kimberly Burstein Charles W. Pomeroy at her two favorite historic places: Libbie Agran Shirley Burt Daniel Prosser CORPORATE LIMESTONE Jennifer Allen George W. Coleman Amy and Glenn Putnam the Millennium Biltmore Hotel and CORNERSTONE Jacoba Atlas Kathie Dagermangy Joe Raposo ($1,000 - $2,499) Richard Barron Pamela Davis R. Michael Rich the Bradbury Building. Laemmle Charitable Stephen Johnson and Irma DeHaro Hector Rodriguez Foundation Patricia Baxter Alice Dick Dennis Rodriguez Susana’s favorite Conservancy Raleigh Enterprises Tara Belkin Maria Dorsogna Richard Rothschild Simpson Gumpertz & Steve and Julie Bram David Dull and Lucia Sanjuan-Ardura programs include Last Remaining Heger Inc. George Budd and Susan Shieldkret Bruce Schachne South Central Los Angeles Jan Donsbach David Fertik Reidar Schopp and Seats, walking tours, and special Regional Center Suzanne and Dale Burger Laurie Finucane Gigi Fadich Aimee Carballo and Ken and Rebecca Fowler Robin Schorr and events that highlight a certain area LIMESTONE Alan Kornfeld Michael Freed Brian Flaherty CORNERSTONE Myrna Cook Doris Freeman Pam Schulz and of the city or a certain style of ar- ($1,000 - $2,499) Jeffrey and Wendy Dahlgren Denee Frey Clark Dikeman Robert and Sara Cannon Janet Davis Grace Gaerlan Aimee and chitecture—such as last year’s tour, Dan Castellaneta and Marian and Steve Dodge Jerry Gardner and Lou Sgroi Steven Schwimmer Deb Lacusta Deborah Festa Edward Garlock Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Shapiro We Heart Garden Apartments!, for Shelley Cranley Norin and Nona Grancell David and Susan Gibson Michael and Karen Sharp Ron de Salvo Philip Greider Morrie Goldman Loretta Shine which she volunteered. Carolyn Griffiths and Elisa Wiley Harrison Andrea and Lody Gompers Geri Siegel Tom Rau Gene Hassan Nora Gordon Janis and Stuart Simon “The Conservancy fulfills a Elizabeth Edwards Harris Stephen J. Sass and Fred and Phyllis Gottlieb Clara Slifkin and Kristi Jackson and Steven P. Hochstadt Faye Greenberg Lauren Kaplan very significant function in both William Newby Paula Kane Susan G. Groshen and Michael and Joyce E. Smith Michael Kilroy Kip Kantelo Anthony Giron Lindsay Sporleder preserving L.A.’s architectural his- Betty Goodwin Klevan Romeo Kassarjian Ronald Gustafson Christina Sprenger Pamela Kurtz Jeff Kelly Eric Gutshall Diane and Ronald Sunderland tory and acquainting members of Jim McClintock and Allen R. Klotz Ann Harrington Ann Sunshine Richard Graves Larry Layne and Brock Harris Jean Toilliez the Los Angeles community, new Jonathan Murray and Sheelagh Boyd Mike Helsper Ruth Tooker Harvey Reese Eric and Harriet Leibovitch Jan Heverly Ligia and William Toutant and old, with the heart of the city’s Patricia and Elizabeth Matthias Shirley Hickman Simon Trasler Michael Rosenfeld James and Cathy McElwain Rosemary Hilb Robin and Gary Ungar architecture and history,” says Su- Trudi Sandmeier Diana McWaid and Sheri and Michael Hirschfeld Lisa and Dan Vebber Pamela Shamshiri and Clive Phillip Curtis and Ryan Holguin John Verdone sana. “I’m proud to be a member Haines Hall Barbara Meyer Sharon Houston and Douglas Wagner and David and Peggy Smith Catherine and Robert Friedrich Henry Medlin because I take great satisfaction in Ed and Shondell Spiegel Todd Millstein Robbin Huntingdale Hynden Walch and Pamela Taylor Anthony and Olivia Neece Jon Hutman Sean McDermott being active, in some small way, Margie and Robert Templeton Jan Ostashay Sean Jimenez Sherry and David Peake Thais and Michael Johnson Richard Walterscheid in the goals of the Conservancy.” BENEFACTOR Vincent Pollmeier and Diane Jordan Andrew and ($500 - $999) Regina Mundekis Andrew and Ellen Kaplan Jhennifer Webberley Thank you, Susana, for your Nick and Diane Arhontes Larry and Robin Radin Stephen and Ben and Rose Weinstein Annie and Kevin Barnes Christy Reich Samantha Kaufman Michael Werckle and longstanding support, and thanks Irma and David Bigelow Alex Reid and Barbara Kelley Gregg Ogorzelec Tammy Brown Gretchen Schaffner Kim King and Kala Kascht M. Wexler to all of our members for taking an Greg Coble and C. B. Babcock Susan and Gary Reuben Marvin H. and Irene Kleinberg Shirley Wilson Donna Crane Wendy-Sue Rosen and Lynn Kouf Beatrice Yotsukura active role in preserving Greater James Dewitt and Tom Freeman George and Christina Legg Jayson and Jennifer Young Lynne Gordon Dewitt Tori Nourafchan and Michael and Mia Lehrer Bill Zabala L.A.’s history. Richard Elbaum and David Rosenstein Ellyn Levine Ed Zix Kathleen Gilbride Richard Ross, Ph.D. Patricia Lobello Mar | Apr 2015 7 CONSERVANCY WALKING TOURS

Walking tours begin at 10 a.m. except where noted. Tours are $5 for Conser- vancy members and children twelve and under; $10 for the general public. Walk-ins are accepted on most tours. Pre-payment is required on Angelino Heights, Biltmore Hotel, and Broadway. For details and reservations, visit ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED laconservancy.org. Questions? Call the Conservancy office at (213) 623-2489.

WEEKLY TOURS Art Deco Every Saturday Biltmore Hotel Every Sunday, 2 p.m. Broadway: Historic Theatre & Commercial District Every Saturday Historic Downtown Every Saturday Union Station Every Saturday

BI-WEEKLY AND MONTHLY TOURS Angelino Heights First Saturday Downtown Renaissance: Spring & Main Second and Fourth Saturdays Modern Skyline For the latest information about issues and First and Third Saturdays, 2 p.m. Youth, family, and group tours by arrangement; events, visit laconservancy.org. call (213) 623-2489 for information. UPCOMING EVENTS Photo by Douglas Hill. Photo by Hunter Kerhart. Photo by Larry Underhill. Photo by Larry SAVE THE DATE: FREE PANEL DISCUSSION LAST REMAINING SEATS PRESERVATION AWARDS AND RECEPTION MEMBER PRESALES LUNCHEON Sunday, March 22 Wednesday, March 25 Thursday, May 7 Join us for “The Stories You Are Conservancy members enjoy exclu- Save the date for our 2015 Preser- About to Hear Are True: Preserv- sive presale tickets to our twenty- vation Awards Luncheon and help ing Parker Center,” a free panel ninth annual Last Remaining Seats us honor the best in preservation. discussion about the history of series. For the full film and theatre Learn about award recipients in our downtown's Parker Center. Details lineup, see page 4. upcoming May/June issue of News. on page 2. MODCOM MODERN COMMITTEE TURNS 30 SPECIAL EDITION | MARCH 2015 ModCom and the Modern HPOZ By Regina O’Brien-Wronske, ModCom Chair 2009-Present hen most people hear “Historic W Preservation Overlay Zone” (HPOZ) – the City of Los Angeles’ term for a historic

Photo: Conservancy archives Photo: Conservancy district – they often think of neighborhoods of Craftsman Bungalows or Queen Anne- style houses. Few think of the mid-century modern tracts that proliferated throughout Southern California after World War II. There are, however, several modern HPOZs that owe their designation in great measure to Continued on page 3 Demolition of Tiny Naylor’s (Douglas Honnold, 1949) and Ship’s Westwood in 1984 led to founding of Fifties Task Force.

Fifties Task Force: The Beginning Photo: Dogtown Ink by Tom Gardner, Chair 1984-87, 1991 n early 1984, at the urging of the Los Angeles Conservancy’s then-president Martin Eli Weil, a small but passionate group of volunteers formed a subcommittee in response to Ithe rapid destruction of post-World War II buildings in Los Angeles. The catalyst was the demolition of two classic Googie style coffee shops – Ship’s Westwood and Tiny Naylor’s Mar Vista Tract HPOZ. at La Brea and Sunset. The group adopted the name “Fifties Task Force” and set out to raise awareness of, document, and advocate for our rich heritage of midcentury architecture, which March 28 was very much at risk. The task force began by documenting buildings and sharing that information with the Celebration Includes group, and wrote newsletter articles to help educate the Conservancy membership. In March Entertaining Slide Talk 1986, the Task Force produced its first program Happy thirtieth birthday to the Los Angeles “Fifties Architecture: Exploring the Issues” with Conservancy’s Modern Committee! Like presentations by famed modern architects Whit- the Conservancy itself, the Modern Com- ney R. Smith and John Lautner with author Alan mittee began as a small group of concerned Hess as moderator. Rounding out the event was citizens that grew into a powerful force for a Task Force slide presentation of its inventory preservation in Los Angeles. To celebrate of mid-century buildings, a discussion of current its anniversary, the Committee will hold a issues, and a lecture on residential architecture. fun event on Saturday, March 28 from 4 In 1988, the Task Force produced the “John to 7 p.m. at Pasadena Presbyterian Church, Lautner: Real Architecture” tour, and in 1989, a masterpiece of organic form rendered two tours of Case Study Houses titled “Yester- in concrete. The program includes an en- day, Today, & Tomorrow.” Together these tours tertaining presentation about ModCom’s Photo: Conservancy archives stimulated new interest in Southern California three-decade history, fascinating speakers, Street Theater Advocacy. Downey mid-century architecture, paving the way for its and a reception. And it’s free! For details, McDonald’s 1994. broader rediscovery in the 1990s. visit laconservancy.org/modcom. Proactive Preservation by Alan Leib, Chair 2001-2004, 2008-2009

aving been involved for more than half Hof the Modern Committee’s thirty years, I have seen various preservation scenarios play out in Greater Los Angeles. Unfortunately, many preservation emergencies involve some sort of last-minute effort to designate an en- dangered building unprotected by landmark status. For modern resources, the Conservancy and its Modern Committee have always em- National Register-Listed Case Study House #20. braced proactive landmark designation as a © J. Paul Getty Trust. Used with permission. Julius Shulman Photography Archive, Research Library at the Getty Research key protective measure. Institute (2004.R.10) In particular, important residential archi- tecture can be overlooked outside of identified design in North America, but it was unidenti- historic districts. The Strick House in Santa fied and threatened with demolition until the Monica was Brazilian modernist architect Modern Committee submitted a successful Oscar Niemeyer’s only extant residential local landmark nomination in 2003. In 2004, the legendary Arts and Architecture magazine’s Case Study House Program was widely celebrated, yet only a handful of the program’s residences were designated, leaving the rest vulnerable. In a proactive effort, ModCom commissioned architectural historian and former ModCom chair Peter Moruzzi to prepare a National Register multiple property nomination for the entire Case Study House Program. Numerous volunteers, under the coordination of Steven Kyle, were tasked with documenting eleven dwellings in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Photo: Larry Underhill Ventura counties as part of the overall Norms La Cienega (1957, Armet & Davis). Nominated as key L.A. landmark; threatened. nomination. Included were important works by Charles Eames, Eero Saarinen, Rodney Photo: Larry Underhill Walker, Craig Ellwood, and Pierre Koenig. In 2013, ten were officially listed in the National Register of Historic Places, with an eleventh deemed eligible for listing due to owner opposition. In November 2013, the Modern Committee received the Governor’s Preservation Award for its work on this effort. The Modern Committee is dedicated to additional proactive nominations. The visionary, futuristic work of Googie architects Armet and Davis is an obvious example. In 2013, the firm’s classic Johnie’s Coffee Shop at Wilshire and Fairfax was nominated and is now a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument (HCM). Hopefully, by the time you read this, another Conservancy/ModCom nomination, Armet and Davis’ endangered Norms La Cienega, will also be an HCM. Many more properties deserve such attention, Touring Johnie’s Coffee Shop, Wilshire (1956, Armet & Davis). Designated as local landmark. with proactive designation a proven means of providing a crucial measure of protection.

2 MODCOM TURNS 30 ModCom and the Modern HPOZ continued two ModCom members, Adriene Biondo and Photo: Adriene Biondo with glass walls and lovely courtyard atriums Amanda Seward. open to the sky. The seminal California Amanda participated in the community developer Joseph Eichler constructed the tract effort to designate the Gregory Ain Mar Vista from designs by noted modern architects A. Tract in 2003. This collection of 52 one- Quincy Jones and Frederick Emmons. It was story homes was built in 1947 by modernist designated in 2010 after a seven-year effort led architect Gregory Ain in collaboration with by past ModCom Chair and resident Adriene Joseph Johnson and Alfred Day. Each modest Biondo. She credits the Modern Committee’s house champions the indoor/outdoor lifestyle San Fernando Valley tour “How Modern Was and features flat roofs, clerestory windows, My Valley” for sparking owner interest in V-shaped pipe supports, overhang cutouts, rear Balboa Highlands Eichler Tract HPOZ. designating the neighborhood. walls of glass, and open floor plans. Garrett These decidedly modern HPOZs helped Eckbo landscaped its three-block area. Eckbo In Granada Hills, the 1962-1964 Balboa change what we think of as a historic district is considered one of the masters of modern Highlands Tract is a collection of 108 mid- and paved the way for the preservation of mid- landscape design. century one-story post-and-beam houses century housing tracts in Southern California.

HIGHLIGHTS OF MODCOM’S 30 YEARS OF EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY

ModCom was instrumental in Group educates itself on Bob’s Big Boy Toluca Chris Nichols (1998- launching the Conservancy’s midcentury architecture, Lake (Wayne McAllister, 1999), Michael Palumbo work to preserve modern identifying significant or 1949). 1993. Designated (1999-2001), Alan Leib resources. Over the years, the potentially threatened California State (2001-2004), Adriene Conservancy and its ModCom examples, and Point of Historical Biondo (2004-2008) have worked together on raising awareness Interest after difficult “Architects’ Own Homes these and many other efforts. through Conservancy battle. Today it’s and the Modern Tradition Space doesn’t allow for the newsletters. the nation’s top- in Los Angeles” 1995. Tour names of individuals who went “Fifties grossing Bob’s. of houses designed by and far above and beyond the call Architecture: “Postwar Modern for some of the area’s most of duty on specific projects; Exploring the Commercial important modern architects. please know how much we Issues,” Lectures and Architecture in “Cruising Industrial Los appreciate your efforts. panel discussion. Los Angeles” Angeles” 1997. Pioneering Oral histories of 1993. Lecture series tour highlighting 20th 1984-1995 photographer Julius and exhibition century industrial architecture CHAIRPERSONS: Shulman, landscape architect on architectural firm throughout L.A. County. Tom Gardner (1984-87), Armet & Davis focusing Garrett Eckbo, furniture Launch of ModCom Kathleen Leonard (co-chair, on Googie style. designer Edward Frank, and website. 1998. 1987-88), Gene Polk (co- architects Ray Kappe, John “Cruising Postwar Los “A Place in the Sun: chair 1987-90), Lautner, and Whitney Smith. Angeles” 1994. Self-driven Architecture of Wayne Mike Ulander (1990), Hosted by Huell Howser. citywide tour of modern sites Tom Gardner (1991), McAllister 1928-1961” “John Lautner: Real with over 1,000 tourgoers. Peter Moruzzi (1992-1997) 1998. Exhibition honoring Architecture” Tour and Downey McDonald’s. 1994. architect of 1930s streamline Demolition of Ship’s lecture. Multiple rallies to save oldest drive-in restaurants and 1950s Westwood Coffee “Yesterday, remaining location built Las Vegas hotels. Shop (Martin Today, and in 1953. Front page Stern, 1958) and Van de Kamp’s, Tomorrow. Case of New York Times. Tiny Naylor’s Route 66, Arcadia Study Houses” Company preserves Drive-In Restaurant, (Bissner & Zook, 1967. Tours. Coincided and reopens it. Hollywood (Douglas Now Denny’s). Rallies with MOCA exhibit. Other advocacy Honnold, 1949). with windmill hats save Committee name efforts: CBS this last windmill-topped Founding of Fifties changes: Modern Television City Van de Kamp’s. Task Force, 1984. and Post-WWII (saved), Azusa Early members “How Modern Was Committee McDonald’s (lost), include Annette My Valley: Touring (1991) to Modern Wich Stand Coffee Andreozzi, Frank the Postwar San Committee/ Shop, Ladera Heights Cooper, John English, Fernando Valley” ModCom (1992) (designated). Tom Gardner, Kathleen 2000. Showcased the Leonard, Chris Nichols, “Neutra in the 1930s” 1995-2005 Valley’s heritage as a mecca Jamie Nichols, Katherine 1992. Tour and lecture. CHAIRPERSONS: Peter of mid-century suburbia. Rinne, and Dan Silver. Moruzzi (1992-1997), Continued on page 4

Tour booklet images: Conservancy archives; Capitol Records: Marvin Rand

MARCH 2015 3 HIGHLIGHTS OF MODCOM’S 30 YEARS OF EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY

Continued from page 3 Determined eligible for Capitol Records Building. Golden State Mutual Holiday Bowl (Armet California Register 2002. HCM nomination approved Life Insurance Co. (Paul & Davis, 1958). 2000- Illegally demolished 2007. R. Williams, 1949). 2011. 2003. Long battle resulted 2007; rebuilt 2009 “City of the Successful nomination. Historic in preservation of coffee after community effort. Seekers. lobby murals preserved in situ. shop, now a Starbucks. Other advocacy L.A.’s Unique “Millard Sheets-A Legacy Bowling alley demolished. efforts: Glendale Spiritual of Art & Architecture” Lincoln Place Apartments Federal Savings HQ Legacy” 2009. 2012. Tour of significant (Ralph A. Vaughn & Heth (saved), Bass House/ Tour of distinctive Millard Sheets-designed sites Wharton, 1949-1951). 2000- Case Study House birthplaces in Pomona and Claremont. 2010. Important modern #20 (designated of L.A.-based Johnie’s Wilshire (Armet garden apartment complex and saved), spiritual & Davis, 1955; formerly preserved after decade- Monterey Trailer movements. Romeo Times Square). 2013. Park long community effort. (designated “It’s a Mod, Successful nomination. and saved), Cinerama “3-D L.A.: Modernism in Mod, Mod, Mod City” Landmark nominations: Three Dimensions. The Dome (saved), Stuart Tour 2009. Part of “The 60s Strick House, Santa Monica Stereo Photography of Pharmaceutical (saved), Turn 50” initiative highlighting (Oscar Neimeyer, 1963); Jack Laxer 1953-1965” Hanna-Barbera Building 1960s architecture eligible (saved), Java Lanes (lost) Driftwood Dairy, El Monte 2001. 3D slide show of mid- for National Register. (1960-61); Van Dekker century commercial buildings. 2005-2015 Establishment of the Modern House, Woodland Hills “Built by Becket CHAIRPERSONS: Adriene Masters Award Program (Rudolph Schindler, 1940); Centennial Celebration” Biondo (2005-2008), 2009. In-person tributes Department of Water and 2003. Salute to Welton Alan Leib (2008-2009), to architects, artists, and Power HQ (A.C. Martin & Becket & Associates at the Regina O’Brien-Wronske designers Assoc., 1965). firm’s Cinerama Dome. (2009 to Present) whose work Other advocacy “Your Government in “Curating the City: significantly efforts: Glendale” 2000. Walking Wilshire Blvd.” 2005. affected Ambassador tour of mid-century civic center. “Johnie’s Coffee Shop” mid-century College, Fine Los Angeles. “20-20-20: 20 Years-20 (formerly Romeo Times Arts & Sciences Recipients Sites-20 Bucks” 2004. Tour Square). Curated exhibit, Buildings, include Julius of 20 locations celebrating reopened long-closed Pasadena (lost), Shulman, ModCom’s 20th restaurant, hosted Columbia Marvin Rand, anniversary. original architect Savings (lost), Eldon Davis. Jack Laxer, Shusett House Case Study Eldon Davis, House Program: “Spectacular Beverly Hills William Krisel, (lost), Moore National Register Vernacular: W.A. Sarmiento, of Historic Places High Style Roots House (lost), Jerome and Robinson’s May, Beverly nomination. 2004- of Everyday Evelyn Ackerman, Ray 2013. Eleven Modernism” Hills (lost), Glendale Kappe, and Malcolm Leland, Federal Savings (saved), houses designated. 2006. Ranch among many others. House lecture, CBS Columbia Square Johnie’s Broiler, “Home Sixties Home” modern home tour (saved), Century Plaza Downey formerly 2010, part of “The 60s Hotel (saved), Kronish Harvey’s, now including Corbin Palms (Palmer Turn 50.” Four residences House, Beverly Hills (saved). Bob’s Big Boy highlighted. (Paul B. Clayton, 1958). and Krisel, 1955).

Tour booklet images: Conservancy archives; DWP Building: Erich Koyama

A Word from the Chair 2015 ModCom Executive Council It has been my pleasure to serve the Modern Recently, in an effort to accomplish more Regina O’Brien-Wronske, Committee these past fifteen years, the last direct, hands-on advocacy, ModCom has Cheryll Dudley-Roberts, Chris Green, six as chair. Since 1984, the volunteers of altered its format by adding a working group Charles Fisher, and Steven Kyle. ModCom, hand-in-hand with dedicated and instituting quarterly educational events. Special thanks to Chris Nichols, the Conservancy staff, have worked hard to And we continue to work proactively on a heart and soul of ModCom since 1987. identify and protect the important mid-century range of advocacy issues. We would love built environment of Los Angeles County, be to hear your ideas and concerns, and we it a vernacular coffee shop or an exceptional welcome your participation. Los Angeles Conservancy 523 W. Sixth Street, Suite 826 home. During this period there has been a I look forward to the bright future of our Los Angeles, CA 90014 remarkable evolution in the appreciation of Modern Committee, and hope you will come (213) 623-2489 modernism, and the Modern Committee is and join us. laconservancy.org proud to have played a part in this. Regina O’Brien-Wronske laconservancy.org/modcom