Conservancy News

The latest Conservancy newsletter is now available online, as well as past editions. Our newsletter covers upcoming preservation events, preservation issues, features on the people and places of historic Santa Monica and much more.

In the current edition:

• Upcoming Holiday Party
• Call for Nominations for the 2016 Preservation Awards
• The Preservation Resource Center at the Shotgun House Grand Opening
• New LA County Preservation Ordinance
• More News, Reports, and Event Listings

Download the December Newsletter and its accompanying insert with updates about the Preservation Resource Center, or click here to view past issues.

Our newsletter is published four times per year. Conservancy members receive a copy of each new issue in the mail. If you’d like to become a member, please join today!

We are pleased to invite you to explore the renovation and expansion of a rare Santa Monica mid-century home at the Conservancy’s Annual Salon on Saturday, October 10, from 4 to 6 pm.

The Vukadinovich residence received a Preservation Award from the Santa Monica Conservancy this year, and was featured in a recent Dwell on Design tour.  Designed in 1950 by Frederick Monhoff, the house contains classic International Style features, along with architectural innovations such as angular walls and ceilings.

Photo credit Chang Kyun Kim.

At the time of the Vukadinovich purchase in 2008, the home was deteriorated but intact, as the original owner/builder had lived in it until 2006.  The Vukadinoviches selected Abeer Sweis of Synthesis as their designer-builder to restore the house, include renovations in the spirit of Monhoff, and add on a new wing for their family’s needs.

Photo credit Chang Kyun Kim.

The Salon will include a talk by Ms. Sweis about her work on the house, ​and​ fabulous food curated by the talented Phyllis Conkle, ​as well as a wine bar. Tickets are $150 for members​ and​ $175 for non-members, with proceeds benefitting the Conservancy’s educational programs.  Click here to purchase your tickets online or send your check with your name, email and phone number​ to the Conservancy at P.O. Box 653, Santa Monica, 90406.

The latest Conservancy newsletter is now available online, as well as past editions. Our newsletter covers upcoming preservation events, preservation issues, features on the people and places of historic Santa Monica and much more.

In the current edition:

• Upcoming Annual Salon at an Award-Winning Home
• The Conservancy Receives a City Grant
• Updates from the Landmarks Commission Report
• Two Board Members Appointed to City’s Planning Commission
• More News, Reports, and Event Listings

Download the September Newsletter, or click here to view past issues.

Our newsletter is published four times per year. Conservancy members receive a copy of each new issue in the mail. If you’d like to become a member, please join today!

Seventeen volunteers – the first corps of docents for the Preservation Resource Center at the Shotgun House — have now completed the classroom portion of their training to support our time-capsule on the edge of the Third Street Historic District. As part of their preparation, the group studied the origins of shotgun houses, Victorian architecture, local history and contemporary concepts in preservation.

Photo credit Carol Lemlein.

Their work will continue this summer, when the interior of the house is ready for practice sessions with the interpretive displays. This outstanding group of new docents includes Phillis Dudick, Eric Dugdale, Mario Fonda-Bonardi, Susan Haynsworth, Amanda Kainer, Morris Kushner, Rebecca Kuzins, Fran Lyness, Lillian Mizrahi, Dick Orton, Curtis Raymond, Shannon Ryan, Lorraine Sanchez, Laurel Schmidt, Susana Schuarzberg, Patty Tann and Hilda Weiss.

Photo credit Robin Tung.

Each has expressed a fascination with life in the past and a passion for preserving the unique structures that give our city its character. When the Preservation Resource Center opens in the fall, docents will staff the house on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 2pm year round as well as by appointment.

They will actively engage and encourage a diverse audience—tourists, history buffs, preservationists, and students— to examine the details of the house itself, to learn about how it was saved by the community and to explore local landmarks. Rather than offering scripted tours, docents will encourage interactive conversations that stimulate visitor curiosity and imagination, hopefully helping them to appreciate the importance of preserving our architectural heritage.

The building that housed Santa Monica’s main post office for over 70 years closed in June 2013. That August, the Santa Monica City Council (with strong support from the Conservancy) approved a preservation covenant for the building and assumed responsibility for its enforcement, clearing the way for the Postal Service to sell the property. It was purchased in December 2013 by 1248 5th Street, LLC as creative office space for Skydance Productions, headed by David Ellison.

Over 90 people gathered for the Conservancy’s rally for the preservation of the historic 5th Street Post Office on June 29, 2013, its last day of operation. Photo Credit Mike Crosby.

The exterior of the building was designated as a landmark in March 2014. While the lobby was not included since it was no longer a public space, it is protected by the covenant that gives City Council the power to approve any changes. The Conservancy is currently advocating that the City Council delegate that responsibility to the Landmarks Commission.

Skydance has hired preservation architect Robert Chattel to oversee their plans. He will research the building and guide the plans so that they are compliant with the covenant, the landmark designation and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards. Skydance has submitted an application for a discretionary review permit for their plans to rehabilitate the exterior and restore the historic lobby. Proposed changes include an addition on the rear of the building and two interior atria to bring in more natural light and air. One atrium will extend from the basement to the roof and the other will open from the first floor to the roof. The rear and interior changes will accommodate the addition of an enlarged second floor, a partial third floor and a roof terrace with the existing parapet serving as a guardrail.

The date for Landmarks Commission consideration of the plans is not yet determined.

Read more about our advocacy with the Post Office:

• City Council Approves Covenant for Downtown Post Office, Aug 2013
• Status of the 5th Street Post Office, Mar 2013
• Rally at the 5th Street Post Office, Mar 2013
• Closure of the 5th Street Post Office, Sep 2012