Volume 33 j a n F e b 2 0 1 1 number 1 Spring Tour Features Hughes Aviation HQ by Derek Marks As an aviator, inventor, and movie producer, Howard Hughes left an indelible mark on Los Angeles. Explore a key element of his legacy on Sunday, March 20, when we visit the former headquarters of Hughes Aircraft. On this site, one of America’s most eccentric and influential personalities turned a playboy’s interest in flight into a company that helped define twentieth-century aviation. The site in what is now Playa Vista was one of the epicenters of Los Angeles’ aviation history, and it’s now on the cusp of a new life as an entertainment production campus. It was here that Hughes and his team designed Despite the recession, the Conservancy is busier than ever as developers seek more project approvals. Recent and ongoing issues include (clockwise from top left): North Spring Street Viaduct (photo by Kevin Break), the and constructed planes, helicopters, satellites, Edward T. Foley Center at Loyola Marymount University (photo by Conservancy staff), Barlow Hospital in Elysian lasers, and most famously, the H-4 Hercules Park (photo by Conservancy staff), and the Barry Building in Brentwood (photo by Raul Borja). heavy transport craft, more commonly known as the “Spruce Goose.” Preservation Advocacy in a In 1940, Hughes began to purchase farmland between Culver City and Playa del Down Economy Rey to build an aviation campus. The first building opened in 1941, and the campus by Adrian Scott Fine grew exponentially from there: it eventually Historic buildings and places are often at risk, perhaps never more so than in the extremes spanned over a thousand acres, employed of both boom and bust economies. When times are good, intense pressure for new develop- over 30,000 workers, and housed the longest ment can often spell demolition for historic buildings. On the flip side, a troubled economy private runway in the world. can sometimes be good and bad for preservation: development slowdowns can buy time and Although the campus produced many provide a cooling-off period to reconsider demolition, though historic buildings may also incredible technological advances, it is per- languish for years without an active use and suffer from demolition by neglect. haps best known as the home of the “Spruce Preservation has a central role to play in a down economy. In addition to great challenges, Goose,” the wooden flying boat (actually the current recession presents an opportunity for the Conservancy to more proactively advocate made of birch) that became the largest plane for plans and policies that will reinforce preservation values in the future. ever to fly. In order to construct the giant Busier Than Ever Please see HugHES on page 4 With the implosion of the real estate market in Southern California—from the high rate i n s i d e of mortgage foreclosures to relatively scarce access to financing—it is easy to assume that few development projects are in the works. Yet our advocacy staff is actually busier than ever. Conservancy news 2 While it is true that many projects are on hold and we do not expect to see a lot of ground- Preservation issues in the news 3, 6 breaking ceremonies in the near future, projects are queuing up. The number of environmental Programs 4-5 Please see ECONOMY on page 6 Membership 7 C o nserv a nc y ne w S Los Angeles Conservancy Recruit Members for a Chance to Win 523 w. Sixth Street, Suite 826 Los angeles, California 90014 VIP Last Remaining Seats Tickets! (213) 623-2489 Fax: (213) 623-3909 laconservancy.org As a member of the Conservancy, you play an active role in protecting the landmarks and neighborhoods that make Los The Los angeles Conservancy is a nonprofit mem- bership organization that works through education Angeles unique. You’re also a valuable ambassador. When you and advocacy to recognize, preserve, and revitalize talk to your friends, family, and colleagues about our shared mis- the historic architectural and cultural resources of sion, your passion inspires others. That’s why we’re asking for Los angeles County. your help in our 2011 membership drive. The Conservancy News is published bi-monthly. From now until April 30, each time you recruit a new Con- Editor: Los angeles Conservancy Printing: The Prince of Printing servancy member or purchase a new gift membership, we will enter you into a drawing for two VIP reserved seats at a 2011 Board of Directors Charmaine atherton, President Last Remaining Seats screening! Stephanie Kingsnorth, aIa, VP advocacy You have seven chances to win. While you can win only once, Clare De Briere, VP Membership/Development you can enter an unlimited number of times. The more members Graphic by Tom Davies. Steven D. archer, VP Education/Community Relations Maura M. Johnson, VP Finance/administration you recruit, or gift memberships you purchase, the more chances you have to win! Mitchell E. abbott; Roberto E. Barragan; You already provide critical support to the Conservancy through your annual mem- Linda Bruckheimer; Barbara Flammang, aIa; bership. By encouraging new members, you will help expand our influence and impact Robert K. Foster; Dexter Henderson; Hernan Hernandez; Chris Iovenko; Diane Keaton; on the community. To guarantee your entry into the Last Remaining Seats drawing, be Lauren King; Michael LaFetra; Rita Morales Patton; sure to use this special web page to purchase memberships (and tell your friends to): Cedd Moses; Jackie Kim Park; Kevin Ratner; http://lac.laconservancy.org/drive (note that it’s not at www.laconservancy.org). Susan Strauss; Donald weggeman If you have any questions about the membership drive, please contact Abby Matthews, Advisory Council membership assistant, at [email protected] or (213) 430-4201. Thank you! Margaret Bach; Sally S. Beaudette; Bruce Corwin; Tim Disney; George a. V. Dunning; amy Forbes; Douglas J. Gardner; albert Greenstein; Curtis Hanson; Renew Your Membership Automatically Greg Harless; Robert S. Harris, FaIa; Mary Kay Hight; Dr. Thomas S. Hines; Kathryn welch Howe; Now it’s easier than ever to support the Conservancy—by renewing your member- Huell Howser; Brenda Levin, FaIa; Ronald S. Lushing; Robert F. Maguire III; Christy Mcavoy; ship automatically! When you renew online, you can choose to automatically renew for Thomas R. Miller; Mimi Perloff; Frank Romero; one year, two years, or indefinitely. Your credit card will be charged once a year, and your Jack Rubens; alan Sieroty; alison Silver; Joel wachs; generosity will support the Conservancy’s efforts for years to come. John H. welborne; Roland a. wiley, aIa; Automatic renewals are both convenient and environmentally friendly. You’ll enjoy Ken williams; Dr. Robert w. winter uninterrupted service and will no longer receive renewal notices in the mail, saving on Lifetime Cornerstone George a. V. Dunning paper and postage. Simply visit the membership section of laconservancy.org and choose Leonard Hill “Automatic Renewal” on the membership form. Thank you! Stephen and Christy Mcavoy John H. and Martha L. welborne Staff Preservation Award Applications Due January 31 Linda Dishman, Executive Director We’re accepting applications for Jessica Burns, Communications Coordinator Flora Chou, Preservation advocate the 30th Annual Los Angeles Conser- Lauren Everett, Receptionist vancy Preservation Awards, honoring adrian Scott Fine, Director of advocacy outstanding achievement in the field Connie Humberger, Volunteer Coordinator adrienne Kisson, Director of Development of historic preservation. Selected by an annie Laskey, Program Manager independent jury, award recipients vary abby Matthews, Membership assistant widely, from restoration and rehabilita- Karina Muñiz, Community outreach Coordinator Cindy olnick, Director of Communications tion projects to advocacy and education willow Pappageorge, administrative Manager efforts. Eligible projects must be located Trudi Sandmeier, Director of Education in Los Angeles County and must have Marcello Vavala, Preservation associate Bob’s Big Boy Broiler, recipient of the 2010 President’s been completed by December 31, 2010. award. Photo by John Eng. Thanks to the Getty Research Institute for access to The Conservancy must receive all the Julius Shulman photography archive. 2011 applications by January 31. You can download an application at laconservancy.org/ awards or request one by calling the office at (213) 623-2489. Good luck! 2 los angeles conservancy n e w s issues Preservation Issues in the News by Flora Chou, Adrian Scott Fine, Karina Muñiz, and Marcello Vavala Moore House Van de Kamp’s Bakery Many thanks to the more than 350 people Twenty years after it closed, the historic who commented on the draft environmental Van de Kamp’s Holland Dutch Bakery build- impact report (DEIR) regarding the Moore ing in Glassell Park reopened in October 2010 House in Palos Verdes Estates. as the centerpiece of the Los Angeles Com- Designed by Lloyd Wright (the son of munity College District’s new Van de Kamp Frank Lloyd Wright), the highly intact 1959 Innovation Center. The adaptive reuse of the residence is proposed for demolition by its 1930 Dutch Renaissance Revival-style build- owners to make way for a new custom home. ing caps the decades-long advocacy efforts Since the City of Palos Verdes Estates has no of the Conservancy and the Van de Kamp’s historic preservation ordinance or local pres- Coalition, launches a new phase in the life of ervation protections, public participation in this beloved landmark, and exemplifies the the environmental review process is essential integration of preservation and sustainability. to prevent the home’s demolition. Located on Fletcher Drive at San Fer- Despite a large outcry in June from nearly nando Road, the Van de Kamp’s Bakery build- 300 concerned citizens, the DEIR released ing served for decades as headquarters for in October concludes that the Moore House the company’s chain of bakeries and coffee cannot be feasibly renovated to meet the own- shops.