Prepared by Chattel, Inc. 13417 Ventura Blvd Los Angeles ......2013/03/11 · local example of the Art Deco style. The Central Tower Building incorporates the massing, roof form,

SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT CENTRAL TOWER

1424 4TH ST SANTA MONICA, CA

Prepared by Chattel, Inc.

13417 Ventura Blvd Los Angeles, CA 91423

January 10, 2013

SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT CENTRAL TOWER PAGE 2 1424 4TH ST, SANTA MONICA

Introduction The following report on Central Tower (1412-1434 4th Street, subject property) is intended to supplement the City Landmark Assessment and Evaluation Report prepared by PCR Services Corporation, dated February 2010 (PCR report). In August 2012, the Santa Monica Landmarks Commission voted to file a Landmark nomination application for the subject property. This report provides supplemental research on building tenants, reviews the eligibility evaluation in the PCR report, and identifies character-defining features of the subject property. Supplemental Research The PCR report provides extensive research on the subject property architect M. Eugene Durfee, builders J. Westley Forderer and C.L. Freeman, and developer Arthur P. Creel, as well as tenants occupying the building from 1930 through 1948. We have supplemented this information with a list of tenants from 1952 to 1960 (included as an attachment, based on research from Santa Monica City Directories). The composition of tenants remained similar to previous decades and included lawyers, doctors, accountants and insurance agents. The tenant space now used by Magicopolis (address 1418 4th St) appears to have been used by Clark Furniture Company from 1929 through the 1960s. It appears that the existing theater was inserted into the space when Magicopolis opened in 1998 and is not an alteration which has gained significance over time. Previous Evaluations The subject property was evaluated previously under National Register of Historic Places (National Register) criteria as part of the City’s Historic Resources Inventory (Inventory). In 1986, the subject property received an evaluation of “5*/5D,” meaning it appears to be individually eligible for local designation and to contribute to a district which could be designated under a local ordinance. The number “5” typically means eligible for local designation only. The Inventory identified the Central Business District, bounded by Wilshire Blvd, 2nd St, Colorado Ave, and 4th St, as a potential district; however, the district has not been designated. The subject property was re-evaluated in 2004 in the Central Business District update of the Inventory and received a “5B1” evaluation. The “B” in the code apparently has a specific local meaning, which is not readily known; however, as an archaic evaluation under the California Historical Resources Status Codes, 5B1 would denote eligible both separately and as district contributor. The extension of “1” after the “B” denotes that property has been designated at the local level, which is inaccurate. Evaluation of the subject property as a contributor to the potentially eligible Central Business District is beyond the scope of this report. This report addresses only the subject property’s eligibility for designation as a City of Santa Monica Landmark (Landmark). The PCR report finds the subject property to be eligible for designation under City of Santa Monica Landmark criteria 1, 4, and 5 and provides the following evaluation under each of the six criteria:

9.36.100(a)(1) It exemplifies, symbolizes, or manifests elements of the cultural, social, economic, political or architectural history of the City.

The property appears to satisfy this criterion. In applying the City’s significance criteria for individual recognition as a potential City of Santa Monica Landmark the subject property appears to possess sufficient historical importance and architectural merit to warrant such designation. The Central Tower Building is a significant example of an architecturally distinctive, Art Deco style commercial building in Santa Monica. The subject property retains the majority of its primary character defining features on the exterior including its commercial use and layout; stacked tower; smooth stucco finish; original awning windows; and Art Deco ornamentation. Art Deco ornamentation includes the stylized parapets, zig-zag motifs, spandrels; and recessed entryway with a coffered ceiling and Art Deco reliefs. Furthermore, the subject property is significant for being an excellent example of an Art Deco mid-rise


commercial building and it is one of the taller commercial buildings in the Central Business District. In addition, the multi-use property significantly manifests the City’s early commercial developmental history. Constructed in 1929 at the end of Santa Monica’s building boom, the subject property was located on a prominent street in the City’s commercial core. The subject property was symbolic of Santa Monica’s economic stability and growth. The multi-use commercial building was occupied during the 1920s and 1930s by a variety of prominent professionals including physicans [sic], architects, lawyers, judges, and city officials. The subject property meets this criterion.

9.36.100(a)(2) It has aesthetic or artistic interest or value, or other noteworthy interest or value.

The resource does not appear to meet this criterion. This Central Tower Building is an excellent example of the Art Deco style, but the sum of the Art Deco style features do not possess artistic or aesthetic value to be eligible under criterion 2.

9.36.100(a)(3) It is identified with historic personages or with important events in local, state or national history.

The subject property does not appear to meet this criterion. Current research does not indicate that the building is identified with historic personages or with important events in local, state, or national history.

9.36.100(a)(4) It embodies distinguishing architectural characteristics valuable to a study of a period, style, method of construction, or the use of indigenous materials or craftsmanship, or is a unique or rare example of an architectural design, detail or historical type valuable to such a study.

The property appears to satisfy this criterion. The subject property is an excellent local example of the Art Deco style. The Central Tower Building incorporates the massing, roof form, verticality, organizational hierarchy, decorative details, and other signature trademarks associated with the Art Deco style. Additionally, because of its location, date of construction, historical use, and style the property is considered an uncommon example of its type. Further, the individual property and its surrounding setting retain a high level of integrity. Because it is a local and distinguished example of the style as applied to commercial buildings within the general area of the Central Business District in the original Santa Monica townsite, the subject property meets criterion 4.

9.36.100(a)(5) It is a significant or a representative example of the work or product of a notable builder, designer or architect.

The subject property appears eligible for local landmark designation under this criterion. M. Eugene Durfee was a notable local architect, who designed several important buildings in Santa Monica, including the subject property, Georgian Hotel (Windemere Hotel), 1415 Ocean Avenue, and the Bay Builder’s Exchange, 1503-1509 4th Street. The architect also designed buildings in Los Angeles and Orange County, including the 925 Gayley Avenue Apartments, Westwood; Alician Court Theatre, Fullerton; Commercial and Savings Bank Building, Anaheim; First National Bank Building, Anaheim; Hotel Angelina, Anaheim; 202 Samuel Kreamer Building, Anaheim; and the First National Bank Building, Santa Ana. Based on existing


documentation and extant buildings designed by Eugene Durfee, the Central Tower Building is an excellent example of the relatively large scale, highly stylized buildings Durfee designed. Therefore, the Central Tower Building is eligible under this criterion as a rare and outstanding example of a notable architect’s work.

9.36.100(a)(6) It has a unique location, a singular physical characteristic, or is an established and familiar visual feature of a neighborhood, community or the City.

The subject property does not appear to satisfy this criterion. Although the Central Tower Building’s eight-story tower is a readily identifiable, prominent visual landmark in the heart of the Central Business District, the tower is not in a unique location and does not have singular physical characteristics worthy of designation under this criterion. Furthermore, the subject property’s tower is not easily visible from the pedestrian level along 4th Street because of the height of the trees, the narrowness of the street, and because the tower rises from the middle of the block, not the corner.1

Chattel concurs with the finding that the subject property is eligible for designation as a Landmark under criteria 1, 4, and 5. The subject property may also be eligible under criterion 2, having “aesthetic or artistic interest or value,” as the building is an excellent example of an Art Deco commercial building with distinctive ornamentation indicative of the style. At the August 2012 public hearing, the Landmarks Commission requested additional information on the subject property’s potential eligibility under criterion 3 for its association with developer Arthur P. Creel. Creel was an important investor in Santa Monica’s commercial real estate development and helped to fund construction of several important buildings in the City, including the Bay Builders Exchange Building (1503-1509 4th St), the Georgian Hotel (1415 Ocean Avenue), and Central Tower. Despite his financial investment in Central Tower, it is unclear to what extent he is closely associated with the building. According to National Park Service National Register Bulletin 32, Guidelines for Evaluating and Documenting Properties Associated with Significant Persons, “eligible properties generally are those associated with the productive life of the individual in the field in which (s)he achieved significance.”2 Creel does not appear to be closely associated with the building beyond its construction. It does not appear that Central Tower is connected with his productive work, and the subject property may not be eligible for designation under criterion 3. The Landmarks Commission also requested an evaluation of Central Tower’s eligibility under criterion 6. Chattel concurs with PCR that the building does not appear to have “a unique location” or “singular physical characteristic,” or to be “an established and familiar visual feature.” Given the height of surrounding development and narrowness of 4th St, the tower is visible only from 4th St and from a limited portion of Santa Monica Blvd to the west (see map of viewshed below). At its construction, Central Tower was one of the tallest buildings in Santa Monica and was an important visual feature in the City. Subsequent surrounding development of a comparable height has reduced the building’s visibility in downtown Santa Monica, and it does not appear to be eligible under criterion 6.

1 PCR Services Corporation, “The Central Tower Building: City Landmark Assessment and Evaluation Report,”

February 2010. 2 National Register Bulletin #32, Guidelines for Evaluating and Documenting Properties Associated with

Significant Persons (National Park Service, n.d.)


Character-defining features According to National Park Service Preservation Brief 17, Architectural Character: Identifying the Visual Aspects of Historic Buildings as an Aid to Their Preservation, “character refers to all those visual aspects and physical features that comprise the appearance of every historic building. Character-defining elements include the overall shape of the building, its materials, craftsmanship, decorative details, interior spaces and features, as well as the various aspects of its site and environment. The purpose [is to] identify those features or elements that give the building its visual character and that should be taken into account in order to preserve them to the maximum extent possible.” The following is an analysis of character-defining features, classified as significant, contributing, and non-contributing. These terms are generally interchangeable with primary, secondary and tertiary character-defining features, which are also commonly used descriptors. Significant character-defining features are the most important and should be retained and preserved. Alterations to these features should be avoided. Contributing character-defining features may be preserved to the greatest extent feasible and rehabilitated as appropriate; however, more flexibility is given to these features. Alterations to some contributing features may not adversely impact the building’s significance. The greatest flexibility is afforded to non-contributing features; their complete removal does not adversely impact the building. Exterior features – overall visual aspects Significant: Eight story tower with two story flanking wings The massing of a narrow tower flanked by low-scale wings is typical of commercial buildings from the 1920s-1930s in Los Angeles, particularly with Art Deco styling, as seen at Central Tower. This building type is characterized by an emphasis on verticality in the center tower element flanked by the horizontality of low-scale, two story wings.


Significant: Four tower elevations The four identical elevations of the tower with stepped pyramidal shape at the top are significant character-defining features of the building. The emphasis on symmetry in the building elevations is typical of the Art Deco style.

Non-contributing: Rear (west) elevation at first and second floors below tower The rear of the building (west elevation) at the first and second floors consists of brick-clad walls with multi-light steel sash windows. Several later additions extend from the building at this elevation. This elevation is utilitarian, does not contribute to the Art Deco style of the building and is not visible from the public right of way.


Views Contributing: Frontal and oblique views from 4th St The eight story tower is visible to the north and south from 4th St and small portion of the tower is visible from Santa Monica Blvd. It is not visible from the 3rd St Promenade or from Broadway.

Exterior features – details Significant: fenestration pattern, design and materials on 4th Street elevation and all tower elevations Original metal frame windows exist on all upper floors. On the third through eighth floors, the fenestration pattern consists of regularly space awning or casement windows divided by pilasters. On the second floor, awning windows are arranged in pairs divided by decorative pilasters. On the rear (west) elevation first and second floors, there are irregularly spaced multi-light metal sash windows. These windows are utilitarian and do not contribute to the Art Deco style of the building.


Significant: horizontal composition of storefronts on 4th Street elevation at first floor Central Tower is 14 bays wide, divided into 11 storefronts on the 4th St (east) elevation. For the purpose of this report, the term storefront refers to the ground floor exterior elevations of the 4th St commercial spaces. The 4th Street elevation is characterized by the rhythm of storefronts running the full width of the elevation at the first floor, differentiated from the pattern of relatively narrow windows surrounded by blank wall surfaces on the upper floors, and emphasizing the horizontality of the building’s two story flanking wings. Although the majority of the storefronts have been altered, the building retains a general configuration of storefronts filling the width of each bay, divided by pilasters, with recessed entrances and transoms above. In many cases, the recessed entrances have been removed and the transoms infilled. This evaluation of significance does not pertain to the design and materials of individual storefronts, rather to the composition and appearance of the storefronts as a whole. To clarify where original materials exist, the following is a more detailed evaluation of whether individual storefronts are significant, contributing or non-contributing. Significant: two storefronts (combined under one address 1428 4th St) These two storefronts appear to be largely intact from an early period. Features of the intact storefronts include black and white checkered tile floor in the recessed storefront entrance, fixed storefront windows with break metal, black tile on bulkhead with decorative trim, and wood single door with transom. Of these two storefronts, the one to the north has a taller bulkhead than the storefront to the south. This appears to be an early alteration and does not detract from the significance of the storefront. Contributing: two storefronts at addresses 1432 4th St and 1432A 4th St These two storefronts appear to have been altered with a Streamline Moderne façade in 1952 when these tenant spaces were converted to Harvelle’s Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge. Non-contributing: seven altered storefronts The remaining seven storefronts have been substantially altered at later dates and do not contribute to the significance of the building. The storefront at 1420 4th St includes a terrazzo floor with the inscription “Century Federal” for the bank which occupied the tenant space from approximately 1947 to 1955, based on city directory research. The following drawing of the 4th St elevation ground floor shows storefronts which are significant, contributing and non-contributing.



Significant: Art Deco exterior ornamentation Art Deco ornamentation includes stepped pyramid shape of tower upper floors, zig zag motif separating storefronts from upper floors, decorative raised pilasters dividing pairs of second floor windows, and decorative raised pilasters at sixth, seventh and eighth floors.

Significant: decorative recessed entrance The decorative recessed entrance includes flanking storefronts with tile bulkhead, marble and travertine floor, coffered ceiling, and wood double door with side lights and transom.


Interior features Significant: lobby with original features The marble and travertine floor, coffered ceiling, wood double doors with transom and sidelights, wall sign and mailbox are original, significant features. The elevator, black tile wall cladding, and soffit at ceiling are recent alterations and non-contributing features.


Contributing: internal stair The internal stair, located to the west of the lobby, provides access to all floors of the building through the tower. The treads and cast iron rail appear to be original. On the upper floors, the rail has been incorporated into new walls constructed to enclose the staircase.

Conclusion Chattel concurs with the PCR report that Central Tower is eligible for designation as a Landmark under criterion 1, 4 and 5. The subject property may also be eligible under criterion 2, as an excellent example of an Art Deco style commercial building. Based on an evaluation of retained historic fabric, Chattel classified the following building features as significant, contributing, and non-contributing: Significant

• Eight story tower with two story flanking wings • Four elevations of tower • Fenestration pattern, design and materials on 4th Street elevation and all tower elevations • Horizontal composition of storefronts on 4th Street elevation at first floor (refers to general

appearance of storefronts spanning width of elevation, not design or materials of individual storefronts)

• Two intact storefront exteriors from an early period (combined under one address 1428 4th St)

• Art Deco exterior ornamentation, primarily on tower and 4th St elevation • Decorative recessed entrance, including floor, coffered ceiling, wood double door with

transom and side lights • Lobby with original features, including floor, coffered ceiling, wall sign, and mailbox.

Elevator, black tile wall cladding, and soffit at ceiling are later additions and non-contributing features

Contributing

• Frontal and oblique views from 4th St • Two Streamline Moderne storefront exteriors (addresses 1432 4th St and 1432A 4th St) • Internal stair


Non-contributing • Rear (west) elevation at first and second floors below tower • Seven altered storefront exteriors

Significant character-defining features are those features that contribute most strongly to the significance of the building. These features should be retained and preserved, and alterations should be avoided. Contributing character-defining features have a lower level of significance. They should be preserved to the greatest extent feasible and rehabilitated as appropriate; however, more flexibility is given to these features. Alterations to some contributing features may not adversely impact the building’s significance. Non-contributing features do not contribute to the significance of the building; their complete removal does not adversely impact the building.

Documents

Prepared by Chattel, Inc. 13417 Ventura Blvd Los Angeles ......2013/03/11 · local example of the Art Deco style. The Central Tower Building incorporates the massing, roof form,