PreserveLA Weekly Update
November 1, 2005 - November 6, 2005


http://www.preservela.com


In this issue:

- Lincoln Place News
- Weatherwolde Castle Saved
- Preservation Headlines
- Julius Shulman Speaking
- Santa Monica Newsletter
- Save the Derby Meeting
- Jewish History Conference
- Sunset & Vine Supergraphics
- Kelo vs. New London Update
- Exhibits & Events

Have news, or know of historic resource that is threatened, lost, or has been saved? Be sure to let us know. With your help, we can get the word out to a much broader constituency - that and many of us are just plain interested! Contact PreserveLA by visiting: http://www.preservela.com/contact.html.

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Lincoln Place News

There has been a lot of activity this week concerning the ultimate fate of the historic Lincoln Place Apartments in Venice. On November 4, 2005, the owners of Lincoln Place asked the California State Historical Resources Commission to reconsider the "historic district status" of the landmark apartment complex, a designation which the commission granted at its August meeting.

The action concided with reported efforts by Councilman Bill Rosendahl to broker an agreement between AIMCO (the developer/property owner), the Lincoln Place tenants facing eviction, and the 20th Century Architectural Alliance. The two happenings are apparently related.

Get the full story:
http://www.preservela.com/archives/000701.html

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Weatherwolde Castle Saved

The historic Weatherwolde Castle in Tujunga has been saved, thanks to new owners who are currently in escrow to purchase the property. The new owners want to return Weatherwolde to its former glory, and are soliciting help from the Tujunga community to help put the castle back together again.

About the new owners:
http://www.preservela.com/archives/000698.html

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Preservation Headlines

(Follow the link at the beginning or end of the section to view a full article. Free registration may be required. Some articles may expire or require a fee to read after one week has passed.)

http://www.preservela.com/archives/000702.html

Corporate Housing in a Mod Shell
Downtown L.A. - "The conversion of a former Holiday Inn in City West into a project called The Flat brings another option to the table: 1960s mod, complete with cement floors, bright colors and a rooftop hot tub..."

A Tale of Two Hotels -- and the Future of a City
Downtown L.A. - "While the pace of development in downtown Los Angeles is generating excitement and momentum, the fortunes of two stately early 20th century hotels symbolize the political challenges of melding the old and the new..."

When Local Department Stores Ruled Los Angeles
Downtown L.A. - "A flip back to the '80s - the late 1980s, that is - reveals a Los Angeles with a vibrant department store community and four major stores operating and/or headquartered Downtown..."

Chick Criticizes Planning Department
Los Angeles - "Calling it "an agency caught in a time warp of past practices, old procedures and outdated technology," City Controller Laura Chick last Monday released a harsh audit of the city's Planning Department..."

Los Angeles' famous Hollywood sign to get facelift
Hollywood - "One of the world's most famous landmarks, the 82-year-old Hollywood sign perched high above Los Angeles, is to get follow Tinseltown tradition and get a face lift, officials said..."

Urban Fabric: Unraveling Tara
West Hollywood - "No historic preservation issue in West Hollywood has aroused more controversy than the issue of Tara, the grand estate at 1343 N. Laurel Avenue left to the citizens of WeHo, at least from a public relations and procedural perspective..."

UCLA construction activity peaking with many projects
Westwood - "UCLA, which is closing in on a decade-long capital improvement program, has built up nearly every corner of the Westwood campus...Since 1997, the school has completed, or has under construction, more than $3 billion in projects..."

Holiday Inn Brentwood - Bel Air Receiving Multi-million dollar Renovation
Brentwood - "Joie de Vivre Hospitality, to Transform Iconic Los Angeles Structure Into City's Newest Hotel Property: Hotel Angeleno...Hotel Angeleno is located at the well-known intersection of Interstate 405 and Sunset Boulevard..."

Historic Preservation: Thankless Task
West Hollywood - "One of the saddest aspects of life in current West Hollywood is the clear divisions between "Insiders" and the rest of the city..."

City Council Delays Vote On Landmark
Santa Monica - "After a lengthy discussion Tuesday, October 25, the Santa Monica City Council delayed the vote on whether to continue to provide temporary storage for the shotgun house, until the entire Council was present..."

Tickets for Getty Villa Go on Sale
Pacific Palisades - "The Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades will reopen to the public on Saturday, January 28, bringing to an end the protracted renovation construction that began in 1997 but was interrupted by opposition to the project..."

http://www.preservela.com/archives/000702.html

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Julius Shulman Speaking

Next up in the Architecture & Beyond FREE Lecture Series at the Los Feliz Library is legendary architectural photographer Julius Shulman on Thursday, Nov. 17, from 6:45-7:45 p.m. Mr. Shulman will also be signing his new 2006 Portfolio Calendar showcasing twelve architectural landmarks. The cover features Frank Lloyd Wright's celebrated Ennis House located in Los Feliz.

More on this event:
http://www.preservela.com/archives/000685.html

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Santa Monica Newsletter

The October 2005 edition of the Santa Monica Conservancy's newsletter is now available online. Featured articles include updates on the Conservancy's recent preservation efforts, the demolition of the former Rand Headquarter's building, progress in the restoration of the Marion Davies' Estate at 415 PCH, and a summary of the benefits of historic designation, among other topics.

Read the newsletter:
http://www.preservela.com/archives/000695.html

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Save the Derby Meeting

On Thursday, November 10, 2005, the Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council (GGPNC) is sponsoring a public forum to discuss the proposed development of the historic Brown Derby Restaurant building at 4500 Los Feliz Boulevard in Hollywood. The structure, currently occupied by The Derby and Louise's Trattoria restaurant, is threatened with demolition to make room for the construction of 80 new condominium units and commercial retail space. The general public is invited to attend.

All the details:
http://www.preservela.com/archives/000699.html

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Jewish History Conference

Jewish L.A. - Then and Now - The UCLA Center for Jewish Studies, the Skirball Center, and the Autry National Center are sponsoring a three-day national conference on November 12th-14th that will explore the richly textured history of Los Angeles Jewry, the second largest Jewish community in North America.

Further information:
http://www.preservela.com/archives/000697.html

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Sunset & Vine Supergraphics

According to the CRA/LA, a sign ordinance variation was recently granted to the developers of the Sunset & Vine Tower at 6290 Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood for the installation of new "supergraphic" signs on the building's 36' wide x 140' tall facades. The 18-story office building is being converted to residential use after having been red-tagged and vacant for the past four years.

The pending alterations:
http://www.preservela.com/archives/000692.html

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Kelo vs. New London Update

House bill counters eminent domain ruling
WASHINGTON (AP) - "Contending that the Supreme Court has undermined a pillar of American society - the sanctity of the home - the House overwhelmingly approved a bill Thursday to block the court-approved seizure of private property for use by developers..."

Link to the online story:
http://www.preservela.com/archives/000696.html

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Become a CONTRIBUTING WRITER!

Get involved by becoming a Contributing Writer at PreserveLA.com, and let your voice be heard. Visit http://www.preservela.com/content/writers.html to find out how.

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ADD News! ADD Events! ADD History!

PreserveLA benefits from the knowledge of its readers. News briefs, event notifications, and article submissions are always welcome and encouraged.

To add an item, use the online form at: http://www.preservela.com/contact.html
Or send an email to editor@preservela.com.

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Exhibits & Events

Select upcoming Preservation-related events:

- Los Angeles Conservancy Walking Tours, Weekly
Los Angeles Conservancy, http://www.laconservancy.org

- Historic Houses of Worship in the City of Angels, Through November 27
Skirball Cultural Center, http://www.skirball.org

- Angelino Heights Tour, November 19
Los Angeles Conservancy, http://www.laconservancy.org

- Celebrate Viva Vibiana, November 12
Los Angeles Conservancy, http://www.laconservancy.org

- Lakeside Living: the 2005 Historic Echo Park Home Tour, November 12
Echo Park Historical Society, http://www.HistoricEchoPark.org

- A Gift to Hollywood: 25 years of Historic Preservation, November 13
Hollywood Heritage, http://www.hollywoodheritage.org

- Wilshire Boulevard: The Miracle Miles, November 18
Los Angeles Conservancy, http://www.laconservancy.org

- Holiday Heritage: A Southern California Christmas, November 26 - January 14
Heritage Square Museum, http://www.heritagesquare.org/

- Angelino Heights Tour, December 3 & 17
Los Angeles Conservancy, http://www.laconservancy.org

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