LA Conservancy's Virtual Tour of SFV Modern & Unique Architecture

The LA Conservancy just opened a new virtual education series supported by the Getty initiative "Pacific Standard Time Presents: Modern Architecture in L.A.", which is a virtual tour of SFV modern architecture. The series focuses on three different areas consisting of the following:  

• Home on the Ranch from architects Palmer & Krisel and Charles DuBois, 
• Head for the Hills from John Lautner, Bruce Goff, Richard Neutra, and others, 
• Cruising the Boulevard (Ventura) from Casa de Cadillac to the Woodland Casual Patio and Rattan. 

You can view the education series at LA Conservancy and also read more about it at the LA Daily News.

You can also view the homes and businesses with unique and modern architecture discussed on this site here. 

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Unknown Googie, LA Conservancy, Mid Century Modern, Real Estate, San Fernando Valley

David Ellis Chrysler and Jeep in Canoga Park Renovates Showroom's Front Fascia

Image courtesy David Ellis Facebook

If you have been driving down Roscoe Blvd as long as I have near Canoga Avenue, you have probably noticed the unique design of the David Ellis Chrysler and Jeep in Canoga Park Showroom with the "umbrella" fascia (shown below in the 3rd picture down) exhibiting the classic Googie architecture of Mid Century Modernism (MCM) exhibited throughout many of the original Southern California dealerships. 

One random day I was thinking to myself, "thank god that David Ellis Chrysler and Jeep still has that unique design." Well lo and behold, I was driving in the area recently and noticed that the front fascia of the showroom underwent a significant renovation. Sadly, the showroom "face" has been updated to today's standard and nothing of the 60's era influence remains. I didnt think it would actually happen but it did and is another reminder that the MCM culture is slowly disappearing although it remains highly popular in culture today as evidenced by the success of the hit TV show Mad Men set in the 1960s. 

Image courtesy David Ellis Facebook

Luckily, there have been attempts in the SFV to save Googie architecture like the Casa de Cadillac showroom which recently completed its own renovation and the still standing former Clem Ruh Chevy dealership also in Canoga Park with the "curved arrow" sign standing high in the sky. 

Image courtesy David Ellis Facebook

The David Ellis family have been a long fixture in the Canoga Park community as they have been in operation for over 40 years and are the last remaining dealerships on Roscoe Blvd which at one time if my memory serves me correctly was also home to a Jim Bess Nissan, Jim Bess Volvo, Valley Park Ford, Hyundai?, Kia?, and there was actually a boat dealership. These are all gone and relocated to more automotive dealership friendly locations like Van Nuys. 

The former dealerships are now being replaced by apartment buildings (shown below) such as The Verandas which make residents feel like they are living in luxury naming their floor plans, The Rodeo, The Whilshire, and The Beverly adding onto the housing stock that I wonder if we actually need more apartment rentals rather than building factories that produce high paying jobs.  So now I am wondering if David Ellis will eventually be forced out especially with the extension of the Orange Line Busway. 

New apartment construction in the foreground with the newly built Verandas Apartments in the background. next to the David Ellis Dodge Dealership. 

You can read more about SFV Architecture and Real Estate here.

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Unknown Big 3 Automakers, Canoga Park, David Ellis, Googie, Mid Century Modern, Real Estate

The J. Reed Gattman Residence by Cliff Burlew Associates Design in Encino

[Update August 21, 2013]: This home sold for $1,520,000 on July 8, 2013.

[Original Post]:
4693 White Oak Ave

4 Beds/3 Baths on 2,782 sqft on a total lot size of 0.43 acres built in 1959. This home is located in Encino and is known as The J. Reed Gattman Residence by Cliff Burlew Associates Design. This home is currently listed for $1,365,000 on March 27, 2013 and was last purchased on January 5, 2001 for $715,000 which was sold by The J. Reed Gattman estate which means that this home has only changed hands once since 1959.

The listing description states:

Exceptionally pristine mid-century modern residence in Encino South. of the Boulevard summarizes the style known as the "California House. " LR, FDR, eat-in kitchen & family rooms open via floor-to-ceiling glass to yard & pool and enjoy day-long sun. The ambience of the "Mad Men" era was cherished here by the preservation-minded owners. Rare quality built-ins & paneling, in mint condition. Elegantly rational layout provides near-perfect comfort & privacy. Separate master suite plus 3 bedrooms, original carport in addition to the 2 car garage.

You can view more SFV Architecture and Real Estate here.

Images courtesy Crosby Doe Associates

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Unknown Cliff Burlew Associates Design, Encino, Googie, J. Reed Gattman Residence, Mid Century Modern, Real Estate

Casa de Cadillac Completes Sensitive Renovation

Image courtesy Casa de Cadillac Facebook

The Los Angeles Conservancy has just reported that The Casa De Cadillac dealership in Sherman Oaks just completed a sensitive renovation that included replacing the non-historic windows with those more compatible with the building's original design. This is great to hear especially since a lot of these great architectural sites are disappearing. I am surprised that this building hasnt reached Historical status. 

The building located at 14401 Ventura Blvd was designed by Randall Duell and Phillip A. Conklin in 1949. The dealership originally opened as Don Lee Cadillac and was the only Cadillac dealer in the Valley up until 1965. The SFV has been losing Cadillac dealerships over the past couple of years like the former Neill Lehr Cadillac dealership in Northridge. 

This dealership is extremely popular with architectural enthusiasts and to the best of my knowledge was featured in the film Transformers and the Tom Petty (longtime SFV resident) music video Free Fallin' (also features other areas of the SFV). This site was probably used for other TV shows and Films but nothing comes to top of my head right now. Do you know of any? Check out cool pics below and from Palm Springs Automobilist.

You can view more SFV Architecture and Real Estate here. 

Above images courtesy Los Angeles Conservancy Flickr

Image courtesy City-Data.com Forum

Image courtesy Grandprix 63

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Unknown Casa De Cadillac, Free Fallin', Googie, Mid Century Modern, Sherman Oaks, Tom Petty, Transformers

Cliff May Designed Studio City Home Hits Rental Market

11248 Sunshine Terrace

2 Bed/1 Bath on 989sqft on a total lot size of 10,994 built in 1954 Studio City. According to the listing, the home was built by Cliff May and hit the rental market for $3,100 back in mid August 2012. I am a little late in reporting this one and I believe its no longer available. 

From the listing:

Perched on a knoll, behind a gated drive is a quintessential Cliff May home built in 1954. Walls of glass glass and superb architecture make this creative space a one of a kind dwelling for the eclectic connoisseur of life's finer things. 2 bedroom and 1 bath home on a large, very private lot. The designer style kitchen plays to dining and living areas; all flows seemlessy to the grassy yard, coy ponds and gorgeous views of the valley beyond. This is a rare opportunity to occupy one of the foremost architect's offering, on one of the best lots the hills have to offer. In close proximity to Ventura shops and restaurants as well as the studios. Call agent for exclusions.

You can view more SFV Architecture and Real Estate here.

Images courtesy Rodeo Realty

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Unknown Cliff May, Googie, Mid Century Modern, Real Estate, Studio City

Richard Dorman Mid Century Modern Home In Sherman Oaks Hits the Market

3356 Woodcliff Road

2 Bed/2 Baths on 1,826 sqft on a total lot size of 0.31 acres built in 1958 Sherman Oaks. This home is currently available for $999,000 and was last purchased on September 21, 2006 for $1,190,000 during the heydays of the real estate bubble. According to the listing, this home was built by mid century modern architect, Richard Dorman, AIA, who was born in LA in 1922 and recently passed away in April 2010. He designed numerous buildings as well as private residences. He was also featured in a Life magazine story titled "The Take Over Generation" in 1962. He was also a train enthusiast having writting 13 books on narrow-gauge railroads. You can read more about him in an obituary by the Santa Fe New Mexican. 

From the listing:

Mid-Century Modern Architectural by Richard Dorman, AIA. Situated in the Mulholland Corridor and positioned perfectly to take advantage of picturesque and stunning city light and canyon views. This turn-key post and beam home features: walls of glass in every room (new double pane glass doors installed in 2006), bamboo floors, top of the line kitchen elements (Sub-Zero fridge, Wolf range/convection oven, granite countertops, glass backsplash, custom cabinetry), luxurious bathrooms (finishes: extensive use of granite and marble, new sink & fixtures, large tub, glass shower enclosures, custom cabinets), bedrooms (positioned to maximize city light and canyon view exposures, custom closets and wall to wall durable Seagrass floor covering that is practical and chic , decking that extends the length of the home, Roscomare School District, easy access to all westside locations through all canyon routes and the 405 Freeway!

You can view more SFV Architecture and Real Estate here.

Images courtesy Coldwell Banker

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Unknown Googie, Mid Century Modern, Real Estate, Sherman Oaks