Save Neutra!

While Grace Hilton is an interior design firm, not a preservation blog, I'm also Vice Chair of the Los Angeles Conservancy Modern Committee and occasionally bring you preservation-related news and events. Below is a very urgent issue and if you love modern design, I encourage you to read on. 

You may have never heard of the Kronish House, but I hope the name Richard Neutra means something to you. The internationally-celebrated architect lived right here in Los Angeles and while our landscape is dotted with many structures he designed, only three homes were ever built in the City of Beverly Hills. One was torn down, one remodeled beyond recognition and the Kronish House is now threatened with demolition. It's basically being sold as a $13 million tear-down because of its location and the investment group that now owns it (following foreclosure and auction) wants to tear it down and sell an empty lot. Crazy, right? 

I won't get into the politics of preservation here, although I will say Beverly Hills is quickly gaining a rep  for this kind destruction due to their lack of preservation ordinance (A John Lautner home was demolished just a few months back and the Friars Club was lost not long before that). What it comes down to is that each and every one of you need to write a quick e-mail and help save this house! 

You don't really need to know all the ins and outs of preservation, the legalities surrounding the issue or be a Neutra expert. You simply need to speak up about why you love this era, this architect, this house and let Beverly Hills know that it's worth saving. The L.A. Conservancy has created an Advocacy Page for this issue and I did a screen grab of the bullet points they created to guide you in the comments you submit to the city. Write to mayorandcitycouncil@beverlyhills.org  Comments are due TODAY. 

You do not need to be a Beverly Hills or Los Angeles County resident. Ever single message makes a difference! Thanks for your help! 

Modern Works Presented By Pasadena Heritage

If you love modernism, don't miss this event tomorrow! Pasadena Heritage gives a nod to some of its mid-20th century architecture with a tour featuring the work of Edward Durell Stone and Smith & Williams.  Alan Hess, the preservationist/architect and author who wrote this book (one of my favorites!) will also be giving a lecture at 1pm.  Attend the lecture only, the tour by itself, or both! Get your tickets right here.

Included on the tour is the Stuart Pharmaceutical Co. Building (pictured above), now known as The Stuart at Sierra Madre Villa, that I've long admired but have never been inside. You know you want a peek inside too. I'll see you there!

Buff + Hensman Home Tour

How am I just finding out about this now? Thank goodness there are still tickets for sale! On March 28th, 2010 Pasadena Heritage is hosting a home tour featuring six Buff + Hensman homes. For all the details, click here.

Top O' Topanga

The L.A. Conservancy Modern Committee is holding their monthly general meeting tonight at Top O' Topanga Clubhouse in Topanga Canyon.  Come for the meet and greet at 6:30 to admire the sweeping views of the valley and city lights.  Then, stay for all the latest details on endangered buildings in L.A. County.  Find out how you can help save them from being completely demolished or remodeled beyond recognition!  Just a few of the items on the agenda are the Marina-style Safeway grocery stores (now Vons - yes, that includes the one on PCH that most of you have likely admired while driving through the Palisades), the Home Savings Buildings murals by Millard Sheets, and the Julius Shulman Residence, a home by Raphael Soriano that just recently hit the market.  Hope you can join us!

Oh, and don't forget to vote for your top ten 1960s churches in celebration of the Sixties Turn Fifty!

Photo via ModCom.org

Moving On Up

Moving up where?  To the east side, of course! The northeast side to be exact. That's where Blu Dot is settling into their brand spanking new office. Well, new to them.  The space was actually a steel fabrication facility where they made B-26 wings during World War I.  The building has recently been given a full overhaul, but props to Blu Dot co-founders Maurice Blanks and John Christokos for recognizing that it was important to keep in tact the historical details of the property. "...the old industrial construction has such a great character - simple, humble, but still really beautiful," says Blanks.  I couldn't agree more.

Great Buildings in Gardena

On my way to CA Boom over the weekend, I got a flat tire on the 405 freeway (Scary! Not to mention super inconvenient.) but it turned out to be an interesting detour because I came across a bunch of mid-century buildings along Western and Redondo Beach Blvd in Gardena when we were on our way to the tire repair shop. I would have stopped the car every other block to take photos, if I didn't have a passenger who was complaining that I was a crazy person (but I know he loves me!). I did pull over in order to get photos of a couple of great office buildings on Redondo that stand side by side.

1555 Redondo Beach Blvd, Gardena

Close up of concrete detail and metal screen - I love the pattern on the screen!

The 1555 building does have tenants, but I'm not sure if next door has just an office space for rent or if the whole building is for lease. Does anyone have any info on these buildings (i.e. original architect, original tenants) Any Mod Com folks reading this? I will continue to do my own research, but as I am totally unfamiliar with that area of LA, any assistance would be much appreciated.