Hollywood Heritage is a non- profit organization dedicated to preservation of the historic built environment in Hollywood and to education about the early film industry and the role its pioneers played in shaping May 2009 www.hollywoodheritage.org Volume 28, Number 1 Hollywood’s history. Hollywood Heritage Ends 25 Year Association With Landmark by Stephen X. Sylvester & Brian Curran corrections in a public Parks Commis- t’s official, Hollywood Heritage, Inc. sion meeting and on the Parks website.. Iplans to end our 25 year stewardship Sadly, HHI is still required by the City of the Wattles Mansion and Gardens. to vacate the property. During those many years, H.H.I. Hollywood Heritage’s troubles with slowly raised funds to painstakingly Wattles were made more difficult by an restore and maintain the house and inability to raise needed funds through grounds in an effort to preserve one of renting out the house and grounds for Hollywood’s earliest and greatest es- events such as parties and weddings. tates. Our group has agreed to end our These events provided a regular in- tenancy by May 16th, 2009. come, which was used for mainte- This decision was the result of an nance and restoration projects. The ordeal regarding the Wattles Mansion, Parks Department has forbidden the which Hollywood Heritage has been rental of Wattles since July 7, 2008. going through during the last year. We leave Wattles however with our Our organization was wrongly penal- heads held high. Our accomplishments ized by the Department of Parks and are many and the results speak for Recreation due to an erroneous audit, themselves. In addition to raising $2.5 which was compounded by negative million in funds and donated servic- publicity. Since then, endless hours es, Hollywood Heritage successfully Wattles Mansion Top: before Hollywood have been spent countering these completed two major studies with Get- Heritage’s Stewardship began. Bottom: Wattles Mansion as it will be turned over to the Los charges and we have all the evidence ty grant funding. The first established Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation. which completely clears us . The City the significance of Wattles as an estate photos from the Hollywood Heritage Museum has agreed that we may report these continued on page 4 Collection Columbia Square (CBS Hollywood) Receives Official Historic Designation by Brian Curran Blvd. between El Centro and Gower. restaurant space, while restoring the olumbia Square Studios, the for- Hollywood Heritage put forward architecturally significant 1938 Wil- Cmer home of CBS, became the the nomination following news of liam Lescaze buildings along Sunset latest Hollywood landmark to join Apollo Real Estate Advisors' plans to would require the demolition of the the roster of the city’s historic-cultural construct a major Johnson and Fain 1939 Parkinson and Parkinson stu- monuments. With the support of 13th designed high rise complex directly dios A and B to build an office tower. District Councilman Eric Garcetti, the behind the historic studio. The pro- The project is still in the process of City Council unanimously approved posed complex, featuring 400 dwell- completing an Environmental Impact the nomination on March 10th, pro- ing units, 125 hotel rooms, 380,000 Report and still requires substantial viding protection for all of the build- sq. ft. of office space, 12,000 sq. ft. zoning variances before construction ings on the site, located along Sunset of ground floor retail and 22,500 sf of continued on page 3 President’s Message 2009 A New Year, A Look Ahead www.hollywoodheritage.org by Andrew Schwartz new safeguards will be in place to BOARD OF DIRECTORS have been a long time member of insure that Hollywood will retain its Andrew Schwartz I Hollywood Heritage and a mem- historic character, while encourag- ber of the Board for several years. ing responsible development. President Movies, especially Finally, our nomination of Colum- Richard Adkins silent, and preser- bia Square for monument status was Vice President vation of signifi- approved by the Cultural Heritage cant buildings in Commission on December 18, 2008. Marc Wanamaker Hollywood have This is the site of CBS Radio studios Secretary been ongoing built in 1939 and the last remaining p a s s i o n s such building in Hollywood. Over Aaron Epstein of mine. opposition by the developers and Treasurer mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, the commission granted the entire site Keith Anderson historic-cultural monument status. Robert Birchard The Planning and Land Use Man- Claire Bradford agement committee (PLUM) accept- Brian Curran ed the nomination with the backing Marian Gibbons of Los Angeles City Council Presi- dent Eric Garcetti. Thank you for Laurie Goldman your continued support of Holly- David Greim wood Heritage. Randy Haberkamp Doug Haines I am honored to be your President George Kiel and hope to be able to continue the Calling All (Potential) Christy Johnson McAvoy great tradition set by my predeces- Volunteers! Alan Simon sors. ollywood Heritage is currently Thaddeus Smith We have much to be thankful for, Hoffering volunteer opportunities Stan Taffel and issues of concern as well. Our for museum docents, walking tour Valerie Yaros Evenings @ the Barn have proved to guides, and many other positions. If Gina Zamparelli be a great success, and the new book- you have (or can make) some free store renovation led by George Kiel time, want to meet like-minded pres- Stephen X. Sylvester is a necessary stop for great books Executive Director Jualita/Wattles Mansion ervationists, and have a passion for The Wattles Mansion and ephemera. The popular Holly- bringing Hollywood’s history to the 1824 N. Curson Ave., Hollywood, CA 90046 wood history displays will now be public, please call our office at (323) changed on a regular basis to further Randy Haberkamp 874-4005, or call George at (323) Silent Society Director feature our unparalleled collection of 465-6716. Hollywood memorabilia. Mary Sullivan Volunteer docents are asked to Director of Membership Development As you might be aware we have work one day (or more) a month been in litigation with the Commu- for about 4 hours. We have visitors John Clifford Newsletter and Web Site Editor nity Redevelopment Agency (CRA) from around the country and around and the City of Los Angeles re- the world who are drawn to early Printed by Nonstop Printing garding how the city treats historic 6140 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Hollywood, CA 90028 buildings and the infrastructure in Don’t worry if you aren’t an expert Hollywood. I am happy to report that on Hollywood history. Just come in Hollywood Heritage Newsletter is published a settlement of our lawsuit is immi- quarterly by Hollywood Heritage, Inc., and see what you’ve been missing. P.O. Box 2586, Hollywood, CA 90078 nent. The settlement will insure that See you at the Barn! 323 874-4005. 2 Hollywood Heritage Newsletter | May 2009 coast headquarters epitomized the What Does Historic-Cultural architect’s philosophy of functional buildings as “machines for living” Monument Status Mean? which utilized the most modern tech- elow is an explanation from the website of the City of Los Angeles’ nology available at the time. Stream- BOffice of Historic Resources at http://www.preservation.lacity.org/ lined and austere in appearance yet monument-status which lists the benefits and the limitations of the City’s sufficiently grand and sophisticated Historic-Cultural Monument designation: in arrangement, CBS studios project- ed just the modern image CBS chief Designation as an Historic-Cultural Monument: William Paley wanted. As one re- a. Recognizes the building, structure, site, or plant life as important to the porter noted “No space is wasted nor history of the city, state, or nation; is there any superfluous decoration. b.. Provides eligibility for the Mills Act program, providing a Historical Beauty here becomes synonymous Property Contract that can result in a property tax reduction; with the vitality of purpose and the c. Permits use of the California Historical Building Code; strength of geometric design. The d. Allows property owners to purchase and display a plaque showing that building is symbolic of the vastness the property has Historic-Cultural Monument status; and progressive tempo of radio.” e. Requires Cultural Heritage Commission review for proposed exterior The site of CBS Columbia Square and interior alterations in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s at the corner of Sunset and Gower is Standards for Rehabilitation, the nationally accepted criteria for evaluat- one of significance in Hollywood. On ing change to historic properties; that spot stood the Blondeau Tavern. It f. Allows the Cultural Heritage Commission to object to the issuance of was at that tavern on December 27th, a demolition permit for 180 days, with an additional 180 day extension 1911 that the Nestor Film Company possible upon approval of the City Council, thereby granting up to 360 established the first motion picture days stay of demolition in order to evaluate preservation alternatives; studio in Hollywood. The building g.. Activates the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) which pro- burned a year later and was rebuilt tects historic buildings from adverse impacts without environmental re- by the newly-merged companies of view; Nestor and Universal Films, bearing h. Entitles Historic-Cultural Monument owners to technical assistance in a new sign: “Christie/Nestor Film complying with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treat- Company. Manufacturers of Univer- ment of Historic Properties; sal Film Company.” While more of i. Fosters civic pride in neighborhoods and business districts and helps de- the production for Universal moved velop a sense of place and time. out to the valley, the Hollywood lot As you see, there is a large difference between 100% protection from de- continued to expand as production struction and 180-360 days’ “stay of demolition” in order to pursue alter- continued.