WeHo Survey of Craftsman Houses Is Expanded

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A survey to determine the cultural significance of Craftsman-style houses on Lexington Avenue will be expanded to include houses on Hampton Avenue and Norton Avenue between Genesee Avenue and Gardner Street.

Craftsman-style house
Craftsman-style house

The City Council agreed last night to expand the area of the survey, which initially was proposed by City Councilmember John Duran. The Council also asked the City Attorney to draft an ordinance that would put a moratorium on new applications for demolition permits for Craftsman-style houses on those streets until the survey is completed.

Results of the survey will be presented to the city’s Historic Preservation Commission before going before the City Council.

A building determined to be in the Craftsman style is considered a cultural resource and cannot be demolished unless its owner can prove that keeping it as it is will cause him financial hardship. Any proposed alterations to such buildings must be reviewed by the city’s Historic Preservation Commission.

Craftsman-style homes are typically have low-pitched roofs, wide front porches and exposed beams and are built with natural-looking materials and earthy colors. At present there are 16 buildings in WeHo that have been formally designated as being in the Craftsman style. Five are part of the Craftsman district, which is located on North Hancock Avenue and North Palm Avenue.

Craftsman houses began appearing in Southern California around 1905. Their best-known architects were Charles and Henry Greene, who were based in Pasadena. In 1908 they designed a house in Pasadena for David and Mary Gamble of the Procter & Gamble Company that has become known as one of the best examples of American Arts and Crafts style architecture. gamblehouse.org/

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Is a
Is a
8 years ago

Earthy colors get painted over during the course of one hundred years.

Brian Holt
Brian Holt
8 years ago

Why only these streets? There are so few us left – they should all get a look over. What is the criteria for this map???

Alison
Alison
8 years ago

Thank you for expanding this search. I suggested the search be expanded to these streets on this comment board.

Lynn
Lynn
8 years ago

Following Rudolph’s comment, we could also use some real teeth in code compliance to discourage deferred maintenance. Perhaps CC could institute a proactive initiative to identify issues. Getting tenants unnecessarily involved in the complaint phase was a major flaw in the process which led to the El Mirador debacle.

Lynn
Lynn
8 years ago

In Santa Monica, applications for demo permits on buildings 50 years or older, automatically triggers a review before the Landmark Commission. Has saved many worthy buildings.

Lynn
Lynn
8 years ago

Not a moment too soon……one step ahead of the termites.

Rudolf Martin
Rudolf Martin
8 years ago

I’m glad this was approved and given some teeth. This bodes ill for developers of big box condo buildings in this area. Well done, City Council!