Conservancy News

The Santa Monica Conservancy recognized seven exemplary contributors to the preservation of Santa Monica’s architectural and cultural heritage by honoring property owners, individuals, and organizations at this year’s annual meeting held Sunday, April 8, at the historic Santa Monica Bay Woman’s Club.

Conservancy president Carol Lemlein remarked, “This year’s winners represented a wide variety of projects reflecting stewardship, restoration, rehabilitation, and adaptive reuse in both commercial and residential properties.”

President’s Award: The Bradbury Residence, 102 Ocean Way

Photo: Shooting LA

The preservation of the Lewis L. Bradbury house was spearheaded by owners Carol and Earl Fisher with a skilled multi-disciplinary team over the course of 20 years. Successful repairs of the historic red clay tile roof and adobe walls, restoration of architectural woodwork and decorative elements were made. Seismic improvements developed by Carol Fisher and structural engineer Nels Roseland were also essential to the restoration. Assisting in the final phase of restoration were preservation consultant Matt Dillhoefer, Spectra Company and Structural Focus. Carol Fisher’s extraordinary commitment to preserving this adobe Spanish Colonial Revival house, built by renowned architect John Byers in 1923, ensures that this Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument will be enjoyed by future generations to come.

Stewardship Award: Sun Tech Townhomes Owners Association

Photo: ESA

The 18 homeowners of this 1981 Postmodern style complex, under the leadership of the past HOA president Alison Perchuk, were recognized for their exemplary work to maintain its structural and material integrity and workmanship. They secured a landmark designation, initiated by owner Maria Hopper, and a Mills Act contract with the help of preservation consultant Robert Chattel. The efforts of these owners ensure the preservation of these distinctive town homes for decades to come.

Stewardship Award: Mike Deasy, 475 Mesa Road

Photo: Michael Folonis Architects

The Entenza House at 475 Mesa Road was built in 1939 by architect Harwell Hamilton Harris for John Entenza who, with Ray and Charles Eames, created the Case Study House Program. The house was fully restored in 2003 by Michael Folonis Architects. Current owner Mike Deasy, an urban planner, realtor and former Conservancy board member, was recognized for his passion for architecture and sensitive attention to preserving this award-winning property.

Rehabilitation Award: Tom and Peggy Neary, 19 Seaview Terrace

Photo: MLS

One of the last intact homes in this historic neighborhood was saved and rehabilitated by owners Tom and Peggy Neary with architect Summer Vaughn and contractor Mark Drexler. The exteriors of this Modern Bungalow residence were rehabilitated with minimal impact and the historic wood siding was recreated and window configurations kept intact. The interiors were renovated to bring light and air into the house for modern living. Renovations included reconfiguring exterior rear porches and small rooms for a new kitchen and family area.

Rehabilitation Award: Saint John’s Health Center, Saint John’s Health Center Foundation, Providence St. Joseph Health, Real Estate & Construction, Pacific Neuroscience Institute

Photo: David Kaplan

Originally known as the Santa Monica Doctor’s Building, this Streamline Moderne commercial office building was originally constructed in 1952 as doctors’ offices. Dr. Daniel Kelly of the Pacific Neuroscience Institute had the vision of returning the building to its original use. A collaborative effort which included Boulder Associates Architects, Fisher Design Company, Inc., DEB Construction and Historic Resources Group enabled this outdated building to be outfitted for today’s needs to serve the community once again.

Preservation Award: City of Santa Monica, Downtown Community Plan

The City of Santa Monica has awarded a Strategic Sustainability Initiative grant of $10,000 to the Santa Monica Conservancy. The grant, which must be matched with Conservancy funds, is being used to upgrade our technological needs in order to support member services and educational outreach, and increase efficiency in maintaining our organizational processes and communications.

New software, a major element of our proposal, has been purchased and will be fully implemented in mid-2018. As a donor, member, docent and/or volunteer, you will be able to log into your individual account to access and update
contact and membership information at your convenience, as well as view purchases and upcoming events. Thee new system will also
vastly improve your user experience with an enhanced email system and easier, clearer payment processing for memberships, gifts and event admission. In addition, you will have the option for monthly or quarterly giving as well
as quick and secure mobile payments at events.

We look forward to introducing our new system to you, and will keep you updated on our progress throughout the year. We are excited to take this big step forward toward a new level of effectiveness, and appreciate the
support from the City and our donors for making this possible.

by Amy Green, Commissioner

At last December’s meeting, the Wilmont Neighborhood Association put forth a landmark application for a 100-year-old sycamore tree at 1122 California Avenue. The president of the WNA and dozens of residents spoke passionately in favor of landmarking, but City staff and the new owners of the property on which the tree stands did not recommend landmarking the tree. The Commission chose to postpone a decision in order to undertake further study.

Sycamore at 1122 California Avenue. Photo: MLS

The Landmarks Commission returned to City Council Chambers on January 8, having held meetings in the SMI Training Room until the new City Services Building was completed. The Commission discussed the possibility of designating a block on 11th Street (between Wilshire and Arizona) as a historic bungalow district. Since two of the key proponents for the district were ill and could not attend the meeting, the Commission postponed any official decision on the designation until the proponents could be heard. The Commission still chose to hear from the City’s preservation consultant who gave her preliminary assessment report and concluded that there were insufficient intact historic structures to warrant this designation. However, there will be future discussions regarding this matter in spring.

The Commission approved a Structure of Merit designation for 2518 4th Street after reviewing a demolition permit. In addition Certificates of Appropriateness were given to projects that included new signage at the Santa Monica Pier and City Hall.

City Staff presented information contained in a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) on the Santa Monica Pier Bridge Replacement Project. Representatives of adjacent commercial businesses in designated properties spoke, objecting to the impact of the described alternatives on their operations. Subsequent to the Commission meeting, the deadline for responses to the DEIR was extended to March 15.

The Conservancy’s Preservation Resource Center has achieved yet another award; this time from the U.S. Green Building Council-Los Angeles chapter at its 13th Annual Green Gala on November 30.  Each year, the Sustainable Innovation Awards honor premier projects that have envisioned, designed and built with exceptional achievement and innovation. “The awards recognize project teams that go above and beyond standard practices and use innovative strategies that can be used as a model for future sustainable design and construction,” state awards co-chairs Amelia Feichtner and Patti Harburg-Petrich. “Now more than ever, creative and innovative strategies are essential to the success and sustainability of our diverse communities.” 

The Preservation Resource Center was recognized under the category “Materials and Resources,” which sounds obscure but reflects its achievement as a LEED Gold Certified adaptive reuse of a historic structure to serve a new purpose in the community.  This was achieved with great attention to detail: maintaining over 95.7% of the existing structural elements, recycling 91.5% of the construction waste, incorporating energy and space-saving features as well as maintenance with sustainable products. The surrounding landscape was planted with drought resistant, native plants to take advantage of the city’s climate, drought concerns, and limiting the need for mowing and watering.  

The projects were also judged on impact on the community and the extent to which team collaboration made success possible.  The Resource Center has welcomed over 3000 residents and visitors in its first 18 months of operation and could not have been achieved without the sustained collaboration of many individuals and organizations over the 14 years’ effort! 

The Sustainable Innovation Awards offer prestige and affirmation of your project ‘s commitment to a sustainable built environment. Unlike standardized rating systems, the Sustainable Innovation Awards evaluate merit based upon sustainable strategies that demonstrate exemplary performance by going above and beyond LEED credit achievement.

The Shotgun House offers docents the rare opportunity to actively engage visitors in looking at and talking about the house and its rotating exhibits. Docents create interactive conversations that take visitors back to life in Santa Monica in the 1900s while teaching them about the importance of historic preservation.

Photo: FormLA

If you’re fascinated by life in the past, have a passion for preserving our built environment and enjoy informal give-and-take dialogues about architecture, history and other big ideas with visitors from all over the world, this is your chance. Docent applications may be found online  and at the Shotgun House.

Training will begin in 2018 and upon completion, docents will be assigned two shifts per month of three hours each on Wednesdays, Saturdays and/or Sundays from 11 am to 2 pm.