They are all over Los Angeles- Historic Landmarks. Some are very well known for their unbelievable architecture, some are well known for their cultural significance, and some are…well…just there.
LA's finest example of a Historic Landmark, being that it is a National Historic Landmark (instead of just a municipal one), is the legendary Bradbury building in Downtown. You might remember it from it's prominent role in "Blade Runner" or "Double Indemnity." It's an amazing piece of work and I don't think anyone disputes the Bradbury's Historic Landmark status.
One of my favorite hangouts in LA, which also happens to be downtown and a Historic Landmark, is the Hotel Figueroa. Filled with Moroccan décor and home of the delightful Veranda Bar, it's a wonderful place to get a drink and relax in the heart of ye olde smoggy city.
Many many more famous buildings have been granted Landmark status: The Hollywood Bowl, Heritage Square, Angeles Heights district, The Palace Theater(now called The Avalon, I think…), The Los Angeles Zoo, Wayfarer's Chapel (crazy, all glass chapel over looking the ocean), and Yamashiro Restaurant- to name just a few.
One of the reasons why the Conservancy exists is to preserve the structure of these important landmarks. Which…is where we start to get into trouble.
Very often, landmark status can hinder the ability to improve a structure or alter it in some way. Which is why we often see businesses mismatched with their respective housings.
Shortly after The Big Lebowski was released and became a cult sensation, Holly Star Lanes, the bowling alley where all the movie was shot, was torn down. But not after a significantly long fight to try and get it landmark status thus making it impossible to tear the structure down. But flatten it they did- and now there is a new elementary school where it once stood. Famous bowling alley? Or new elementary school. I know- tough choice.
Today I ran across an article about the Bob's Big Boy on Wilshire, across from The awesomely art deco Hollywood Reporter building is being closed and the staff is being evicted by July 1st. This is the Bob's where David Lynch would go every single day and have like, a hundred cups of coffee, while he was brainstorming Twin Peaks and Blue Velvet. Point for Bob's to stay, I guess. Also, they want to tear it down and build A BMW dealership and showroom. Another point for Bob's right?
Here's an argument against Bob's Big Boy being granted Historic Landmark status: It's a FUCKING Bob's Big Boy. It's a diner with mediocre diner food, built in 1972- not Frank Lloyd Wright's fucking Ennis House.
I don't think Mid-Wilshire needs another stupid luxury car dealership, but I'm pretty sure we don't need to save the Bob's Big Boy structure.
Being able to save buildings in our cities is awesome and important, and I sympathize with the many lost structures that I'm sure we wish we could have saved. But change is just as an important part of our culture and society, as the preservation of unique and important architecture.
(Also, just noticed this- apparently all my snobby knowledge of Los Angeles Architecture comes from Blade Runner.)
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