2054 University Avenue LLC

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1 L A N D M A R K S P R E S E R V A T I O N C O M M I S S I O N S t a f f R e p o r t FOR COMMISSION ACTION SEPTEMBER 3, University Avenue Nomination to designate the property know as the Koerber Building, located at 2054 University Avenue, a City of Berkeley Landmark (LM # ) I. Application Basics A. CEQA Determination: Project exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section b.3 (activities that can be seen with certainty to have no significant effect on the environment) of the CEQA Guidelines. Applicant Property Owner Daniella Thompson 2663 Le Conte Avenue Berkeley, CA University Avenue LLC 1831 San Juan Avenue Berkeley, CA Milvia Street, Berkeley, CA Tel: TDD: Fax: rmeyerson@ci.berkeley.ca.us

2 2054 UNIVERSITY AVENUE LANDMARKS PRESERVATION COMMISSION Page 2 of 7 September 3, 2009 Figure 1: Vicinity Map 2054 University Avenue the Koerber Building

3 September 3, 2009 Page 3 of 7 Figure 2: Site Plan (showing ground floor & yard) & Roof Plan II. Background On May 7, 2009, the Landmarks Preservation Commission initiated the property at 2054 University Avenue and scheduled a public hearing for the LPC meeting on July 2, On June 15, the City of Berkeley received the landmark designation application for the property. On July 2, 2009, the Commission opened the public hearing and continued the item until the September 3, 2009 LPC meeting. The building at 2054 University Avenue is listed on the State Historic Resources Inventory (February 23, 1979). III. Property Description (taken from the nomination; see nomination for full details) The Koerber Building is located on the south side of University Avenue between Shattuck

4 2054 UNIVERSITY AVENUE LANDMARKS PRESERVATION COMMISSION Page 4 of 7 September 3, 2009 Avenue and Milvia Street. The 6 story building contains a restaurant on the ground floor and offices on the upper floors. The building was the first high-rise building on University Avenue, and when completed in 1924, it was the tallest in town. It was the first example in Berkeley of the architectural style known as Commercial or Chicago School style, introduced c by one of America s most influential architects, Louis H. Sullivan. The only other downtown building in this style is the 12-story Chamber of Commerce (Wells Fargo) Building at 2140 Shattuck Avenue, which was designed two years later. The Koerber Building was constructed for Fred C. Koerber, a prominent Berkeley merchant, capitalist, and politician. The building is distinguished by the extensive use of glazed terra cotta on the street façade and exhibits a high degree of architectural integrity. The Koerber Building has played a significant role in Berkeley s history, having been the original home of Pacifica Radio-KPFA FM, the nation s first listener-sponsored radio. The Center for Independent Living and Ramparts magazine were located here, as were numerous other organizations closely associated with Berkeley s unique culture. The main Koerber Building is set on a parcel which contains some open area to the rear of the property, as well as a two story structure. The two story structure does not appear to have been constructed at the same time as the main building and does not merit consideration for landmarking. Staff suggests that the consideration for landmark be contained to the main Koerber Building structure and not include the outdoor space or ancillary structures. There are multiple wireless services antennae existing on the roof of the main building. Future addition of wireless service installations on the Koerber Building (if made a landmark) would be reviewed by the LPC. IV. Nomination The Koerber Building nomination packet includes a wide range of information about both the Koerber family as well as the building itself. Of particular note are the passages which relate to the architectural elements of significance for the building. These components of the building provide the clearest guidance to landmarking this structure. Terra cotta façade ornamentation. Including the cornice decorated with corbels and dentils; voussoirs and keystones defining the eight arched windows on the sixth floor; spirally fluted round pilasters with capitals flanking the arched windows on the sixth floor; medallions and shields between and above the arched windows; balcony siding and corbels under the arched windows; horizontal ornamental bands flanking the balcony; narrow horizontal band at the top of the fifth-story windows; four thick horizontal bands of ornamental terra cotta separating the rows of windows between the second and sixth floors; all façade facing on the ground floor, including the name Koerber Building above the commercial space; vertical spiral fluting edging the brick at the building s front corners on floors 2 through 5. Fenestration. Including the eight arched windows on the sixth floor; 32 double-hung

5 September 3, 2009 Page 5 of 7 windows (four rows of eight) on the street façade of floors 2 through 5; clerestories on the mezzanine; twelve double-hung windows (three per floor on floors 3 through 6) on the eastfacing elevation; twelve double-hung windows (three per floor on floors 3 through 6) on the west-facing elevation; rear windows; light-shaft windows. Ornamental balcony. Shallow iron-railed balcony on the sixth-floor façade, fourwindows wide, faced with ornamental terra cotta and resting on five neoclassical corbels. Brickwork. Including all the façade brick surrounding the fenestrations on floors 2 through 5. Staff suggests that these elements be considered as the main focus for establishing the Koerber Building s preservation parameters. V. Analysis To designate a property as a landmark, historic district, or structure of merit, the LPC must find that the property meets one or more of the criteria delineated in Landmarks Preservation Ordinance (LPO) Section The ordinance criteria regarding landmarks and historic districts are as follows: 1. Architectural merit: a. Property that is the first, last, only or most significant architectural property of its type in the region; b. Properties that are prototypes of or outstanding examples of periods, styles, architectural movements or construction, or examples of the more notable works or the best surviving work in a region of an architect, designer or master builder; c. Architectural examples worth preserving for the exceptional values they add as part of the neighborhood fabric. 2. Cultural value: Structures, sites and areas associated with the movement or evolution of religious, cultural, governmental, social and economic developments of the City; 3. Educational value: Structures worth preserving for their usefulness as an educational force; 4. Historic value: Preservation and enhancement of structures, sites and areas that embody and express the history of Berkeley/Alameda County/California/United States. History may be social, cultural, economic, political, religious or military; 5. Any property which is listed on the National Register described in Section 470A of Title 16 of the United States Code.

6 2054 UNIVERSITY AVENUE LANDMARKS PRESERVATION COMMISSION Page 6 of 7 September 3, 2009 For this nomination staff believes that there are several points to be considered regarding the designation of this property as a historic resource. These include: Landmarks Preservation Ordinance designation criteria; Landmarks Preservation Ordinance Designation Criteria The nomination for the Koerber Building includes a section on the relevant LPO criteria for this property. The relevant LPO criteria are noted here with comment from staff as appropriate. Architectural merit: Properties that are examples of the more notable works or the best surviving work in a region of an architect, designer or master builder. Under this section, the nomination notes, the Koerber Building, consistent with Section A.1.a, has architectural merit as the earliest high-rise building on University Avenue and the first of only two examples in Berkeley of the architectural style known as Commercial or Chicago School style, introduced c by Louis H. Sullivan. Further, the Koerber Building, consistent with Section A.1.b, has architectural merit as a graceful example of the Commercial or Chicago School style. The building emulates the structure of a classical column. Much of the handsome street façade is clad in ornamental glazed terra cotta, and the top floor is particularly elegant, with a row of arched windows and an elaborate cornice. Staff Comment: The Koerber Building does stand on its own as a structure of architectural value to the Berkeley community. The overall style as well as the intact nature of the architectural elements is key to the recognition of the building as a landmark or structure of merit. Cultural value: Structures, sites and areas associated with the movement or evolution of religious, cultural, governmental, social and economic developments of the City. Under this section of the nomination it notes the property s association with the Koerber family (a prominent Berkeley family of the early 20 th Century. In addition, it notes a wide range of Berkeley-identified organizations such as Pacifica Foundation-KPFA FM, the nation s first listener-sponsored radio, and having also housed the Center for Independent Living, Ramparts magazine, New Age magazine, Yoga Journal, Heyday Press, and numerous other organizations closely associated with Berkeley s unique culture. Staff Comment: While the Koerber Building housed a wide range of businesses and associations closely associated with Berkeley s unique culture., it is not staff s opinion that any designation of the building be based on its cultural value. The building was built to house a multitude of businesses throughout its life and was not developed for, nor is it commonly recognized as the home of a particular Berkeley organization.

7 September 3, 2009 Page 7 of 7 Educational value: Structures worth preserving for their usefulness as an educational force. The educational value finding does not appear to have relevance to this designation request. Historic value: Preservation and enhancement of structures, sites and areas that embody and express the history of Berkeley/Alameda County/California/United States. History may be social, cultural, economic, political, religious or military. Under this section, the nomination notes, the Koerber Building, consistent with Section A.4, has historic value. It was constructed for Fred C. Koerber, a prominent Berkeley merchant, capitalist, and politician, whose first Berkeley building, dating from 1907, still stands on the northwest corner of College and Ashby Avenues. The Koerber Building retains a high level of integrity, having undergone relatively little alteration, and would unquestionably be recognizable by someone who knew it during its period of significance. Staff Comment: The Koerber Building is a significant structure as it relates to the history of Berkeley. While it is not synonymous with a particular Berkeley business or institution, it has housed numerous locally famous businesses. In addition, it is a structure which is recognized as an anchor of the downtown Berkeley core for a substantial period of time. VI. Recommendation The Koerber Building is significant in its architectural merit and can be designated as a landmark by way of the noted findings in this report. The landmark designation should be guided by those items identified in the Nomination section of this report. Further, as noted in the Project Description, those areas of the site which are not the Koerber Building proper are not recommended for landmark status. Staff recommends that the Commission open the public hearing, receive public testimony, and based on the written and oral evidence direct staff to return with a Notice of Decision consistent with the Commission s determination. Attachments: 1. Landmark Designation Application Staff Planner: Alex Amoroso, (510)