Los Angeles Department of City Planning RECOMMENDATION REPORT

Transcription

1 Los Angeles Department of City Planning RECOMMENDATION REPORT CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMISSION CASE NO.: CHC HCM HEARING DATE: August 16,2007 Location: 2335 Hidalgo Ave. TIME: 10:OO AM Council District: 13 PLACE: City Hall, Room 1010 Community Plan Area: Silver Lake - Echo 200 N. Spring Street Park - Elysian Valley Los Angeles, CA Area Planning Commission: East Los Angeles Neighborhood Council: Silver Lake Legal Description: Lot 244 of Saint Alban's Lake Tract PROJECT: REQUEST: APPLICANT: OWNER: RECOMMENDATION Historic-Cultural Monument Application for the NIN-POLE RESIDENCE Declare the property a Historic-Cultural Monument Eric Lloyd Wright Piuma Road Malibu, CA Rupert Pole Trust 2335 Hidalgo Ave. Los Angeles, CA That the Cultural Heritage Commission: 1. Declare the property a Historic-Cultural Monument per Los Angeles Administrative Code Chapter 9, Division 22, Article 1, Section Adopt the report findings. S. GAIL GOLDBERG, AlCP Director of Planning [SIGNED ORIGINAL IN FILE] Ken Bernstein, Manager Office of Historic Resources [SIGNED ORIGINAL IN FILE] Lambert M. Giessinger, Architect Office of Historic Resources Prepared by: [SIGNED ORIGINAL IN FILE] Edgar Garcia, Preservation Planner Office of Historic Resources Attachments: April 3, 2007 Historic-Cultural Monument Application

2 2335 Hidalgo Ave. CHC HCM Page 2 of 3 FINDINGS 1. The building "embodies the distinguishing characteristics of an architectural type specimen, inherently valuable for a study of a period style or method of construction" as an example of lnternational Style residential architecture. 2. The property is identified with historic personages, with recognized writer Anais Nin and her spouse Rupert Pole, step-grandson of Frank Lloyd Wright and literary executor of Nin's work. The criterion is the Cultural Heritage Ordinance which defines a historical or cultural monument as any site (including significant trees or other plant life located thereon) building or structure of particular historic or cultural significance to the City of Los Angeles, such as historic structures or sites in which the broad cultural, economic, or social history of the nation, State or community is reflected or exemplified, or which are identified with historic personages or with important events in the main currents of national, State or local history or which embody the distinguishing characteristics of an architectural type specimen, inherently valuable for a study of a period style or method of construction, or a notable work of a master builder, designer or architect whose individual genius influenced his age. SUMMARY Built in 1960 and located in the Silver Lake area, this one-story residential building exhibits character-defining features of lnternational Style architecture. The T-shape plan residential building has an off-center entrance with slab door under a carport roof. The flat roof appears to be supported by beams that stretch the length of the ceiling and is cantilevered in sections. Wide wooden fascia also characterizes the roof. The exterior is clad in wood panel and concrete block and wood casement windows from base to roof. There are clerestory windows above light shelves in the living room area. Significant interior elements include a concrete block fireplace, folding partitions separating spaces, and built-in cabinetry. There is a cedar deck on the south section and a concrete deck on the north side. The proposed Nin-Pole Residence historic monument was designed by architect Eric Lloyd Wright. Eric Lloyd Wright is the grandson of Frank Lloyd Wright and son of Lloyd Wright, also a noteworthy architect. The subject building was Eric Lloyd Wright's first commission and was built for his brother, Rupert Pole ( ) and well-known writer and feminist, Anais Nin ( ). Nin is recognized for the publication of her groundbreaking journals. Alterations include the addition of a library and studio by Eric Lloyd Wright in DISCUSSION The Nin-Pole Residence property successfully meets two of the specified Historic-Cultural Monument criteria: 1) "embodies the distinguishing characteristics of an architectural type specimen, inherently valuable for a study of a period style or method of construction," and 2) is associated with historic personages. The subject building was also designed by recognized architect Eric Lloyd Wright, making him the third generation of the famed Wright family to work and design in Los Angeles. As a residential building designed in the lnternational Style for

3 2335 Hidalgo Ave. CHC HCM Page 3 of 3 recognized figures in literary history, the property qualifies for designation as a Historic-Cultural Monument based on these criteria. BACKGROUND At its meeting of June 12, 2007, the Cultural Heritage Commission voted to take the application under consideration. On July 12, 2007, the Cultural Heritage Commission toured the subject property.

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