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The Spanish-Colonial Revival home at 2017 Escarpa Drive was built in 1928 for Arthur Coons, who would later serve as president of nearby Occidental College for more than 20 years. Today, the Cultural Heritage Commission will vote on an application to declare the three-level home a city historic cultural monument. The architect of the home – which features Juliet balconies, a red tile roof and wood window shutters – is unknown, and Coons did not live in the residence while heading the campus from 1946 to 1965. But the city’s Planning Department staff has determined that the home is worthy of landmark status and protection as a classic example of Spanish Colonial Revival style architecture. Says the application:
“Located just steps from Occidental College, 2071 Escarpa Drive still looks essentially the same way it did eighty years ago when Dr. Coons and his wife built it.”
If the commissioners vote to support the nomination, the proposal then heads to the City Council for further review.
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Seriously? Just sounds like a nice tax break for someone.
I love this house! I used to live a couple of doors down and I remember the owners putting it on the market briefly a few years ago. I stopped in when they were having an open house and I can truly say that they have done so much to keep all renovations and updates within the Spanish Colonial Revival style and they did a wonderful job. I hope they get the landmark status, they deserve it!
Also, I hope that they put it up for sale in 10-15 years when I might be able to afford it!!!
This is just another example of the abuse of the historic cultural monument designation. This house is fine — but just like thousands of others around Los Angeles, nothing special about it. No significant history about it, no special architecture about it (in fact, there are plenty of BETTER example of the Spanish colonial revival style around!), no special anything about it. You see these all over the place.
Designating such places for historic cultural status only cheapens the designation for those that really deserve it. Unfortunately, the city is giving such designation to nearly anything that comes along.
Eh, I’m not sure I favor waiting around for the “better example” to designate, mostly because I’m not sure how the historic cultural monument designation can be abused. I prefer the most liberal designation policy possible because that will preserve the most houses.
I just drove by this house last night, and I didn’t see anything there. I don’t get it. It was pretty dark, though. And I may have been on the wrong street.
The attitude of this person above regarding “historical” – “non-historical” is so ridiculous. Do you know what is happening to old houses in Los Angeles?? TEAR DOWNS. Developers are swooping up and DESTROYING old homes in favor of stucco modern boxes (wouldn’t be surprised if you live in one of these) that are the current blight on Echo Park/ Eagle Rock/ Highland Park– who will stop them?? Maybe some of these homes will be “preserved” by deeming them “historical” — all the others are fair game for the demolition teams to come in and destroy.
By the way, if you personally knew what the long hard process of applying for historical status included you wouldn’t have so much to say.
I would be willing to bet you have never tried to save or apply to help a “historical” building in Los Angeles that meets your personal criteria. Just another person doing nothing and complaining about anyone trying to do something…. LA is full of them.