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Image: The Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Source: State Historical Preservation Office (SHPO)

This Friday, August 2nd, the State Historical Resources Commission will vote on the Conservancy’s nomination to add the Civic Auditorium to the National Register of Historic Places! We urge you to support this vital initiative by sending the Commission an email or giving public comment during the meeting itself which begins at 9 a.m. PST.

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The Santa Monica Civic Auditorium is an iconic mid-century building built in 1959 by master architect Welton Becket. It has played a pivotal role in Santa Monica’s cultural life, hosting events ranging from the Academy Awards to speeches by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and is notable as an “urban renewal” project of its era, with its construction following displacement of an African American neighborhood called Belmar.

Read more about significance

The Civic Auditorium by Julius Shulman in 1958. © J. Paul Getty Trust.
Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles (2004.R.10)

The Civic Auditorium was designated a City of Santa Monica landmark in 2001, meeting all six of the city’s criteria. No other city landmark has achieved this feat. 

With an innovative mixed-use program, combining a concert hall, theater, trade show, and convention center, the Civic was designed to serve a broad segment of the community. 

And it still can! 

Closed since 2013, just last week City Council voted to enter into an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement with a capable and motivated team proposing to revitalize the landmark as an exciting live entertainment venue that preserves our cultural heritage.

A National Register listing could be instrumental in attracting the resources needed for its restoration as a vital community space! This honorific designation carries immense value in preserving our cultural heritage: 

• Preservation Without Restriction: Listing in the Register is primarily honorific and does not affect property rights or add regulatory requirements beyond existing city zoning and Landmark status.
• Financial Incentives: National Register listing opens doors to federal and state tax incentives, grants, and the use of the State Historic Building Code. These benefits can be crucial in attracting private investment and determining project feasibility. See fact sheet here.
• Revitalization Potential: While the building retains a high degree of historic authenticity, it has been closed since 2013 due to seismic deficiencies and outdated systems. National Register listing could be instrumental in attracting the resources needed for its restoration.

A National Register listing could be instrumental in attracting the resources needed for the Civic’s restoration as a vital community space!

We urge you to support this nomination by sending an email of support to the State Historical Resources Commission or sharing a public testimony during the nomination hearing this Friday. Together, we can ensure that the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium remains a landmark for generations to come.

Send Letter | Sign Up for Zoom

And, as always, please support the Conservancy in our ongoing efforts to preserve our shared heritage. BECOME A MEMBER TODAY!

We developed an email below that you can use to draft your support for the nomination. We suggest adding a personalized sentence within the body of the email to ensure the message is not flagged as spam—please CC info@smconservancy.org in your email.. You may also use the draft message as a guide for public comment at the hearing on Friday via Zoom.

EMAIL:

To the State Historical Resources Commission,

I am writing in support of the nomination of the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium to the National Register of Historic Places!

The Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, completed in 1959, is a prime example of Mid-century Modern and International Style architecture. Designed by master architect Welton Becket, this building holds immense historical and cultural significance for our community and the nation at large.

Key reasons to support this nomination include:

1. Architectural Significance: The auditorium exemplifies Modernist design principles and represents an important work by renowned architect Welton Becket.
2. Cultural Impact: As a civic performance space, it has played a crucial role in the history of performing arts. The venue has hosted notable events such as the Academy Awards, the premiere of the iconic surfing documentary “Endless Summer,” and speeches by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
3. Urban Redevelopment History: Its construction followed the displacement of the African American neighborhood known as Belmar, making it an important site for understanding and reflecting on our community’s complex history of development and social change.

By adding the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium to the National Register of Historic Places, we can ensure the preservation of this architectural gem and acknowledge its multifaceted role in our cultural heritage.

I kindly request that you support this nomination and help protect this invaluable piece of our shared history for future generations.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

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