Successes and Losses
SUCCESSES!
5346 Virginia Avenue, Hollywood Bungalow, 1905.
In November 2010, Hollywood Heritage narrowly prevented the demolition of an intact 1905 vintage bungalow located next next to the 101 Freeway. Owned by an absentee landlord in England, the house was listed on two historic resource surveys and did not have approval for demolition. Saved from the wrecking crew, the house continued to be neglected, unsecure and open to vagrants. Hollywood Heritage recently learned that former Hollywood Heritage Board Member Edward Hunt and his wife, Martha, have purchased the property. They have started to fully restore the single-family house to its original exterior condition and anticipate two minor interior wall changes.
Work has begun with seismic safety upgrades. During the fourth quarter of this year, work should begin in earnest with completion expected near the end of the first quarter of 2013.
The three-bedroom house will be lovingly brought back to life; new amenities include a third bathroom. Stay tuned for the final results of another successful restoration story in Hollywood.
This case highlights the plight of Hollywood’s oldest and most common historic housing type, the bungalow, scores of which have been lost in recent decades. Protection of these resources through proper planning and maintenance is essential for the preservation and rehabilitation of Hollywood’s single-family residential neighborhoods.
5540 Hollywood Boulevard, 1921
This commercial building on Hollywood Boulevard was designed by Frank Meline, a renowned architect and builder (Garden Court Apartments, 1913). It will become part of the apartment and shopping clomplex being built by Sonny Astani on the south side of the Boulevard at Western.
6067 Harold Way, 1913
In 2014 Hollywood Heritage met with the developer of this property to keep the original house intact and design an additional building in the rear of the property. A contributor to the Selma-LaBaig historic district, this bungalow was part of a
working class neighborhood built adjacent to the Nestor/ Christie Studios at Sunset and Gower.
If you know of a rehabilitated bungalow that should be acknowledged, please send a photograph and particulars to Hollywood Heritage, P.O. Box 2586, Hollywood, CA 90078 or email us at [email protected] .
6634 Sunset Boulevard, 1927
Hollywood Heritage worked with the developers of this property to incorporate the existing streamline moderne building into their new design.
LOSSES
932 La Brea Avenue, Morgan, Walls and Clement,1935
This beautiful Morgan, Walls and Clement building, most recently occupied by the Mole Richardson theatrical and film lighting business, was eligible for listing on the National Register, which should have triggered an Environmental Impact Report. Instead, the building was demolished in days, with a demolition permit reportedly issued by the Department of Building and Safety. Both Hollywood Heritage and the Loss Angeles Conservancy are looking into this devastating loss, as it is a major erosion to the context of the La Brea corridor, which contains numerous Art Deco structures. All of these buildings are endangered if the process which led to this demolition remains unchecked and the questions unanswered.
1558 Gordon Street, 1903
This quaint colonial home was one of a small population of properties that still existed from he pre annexation period of Hollywood. In addition the carriage house in the rear of the property was one of five that remained in Hollywood. This home was demolished this year along with several neighboring properties on Gordon Street.