Art Deco Awesomeness, Now Rentable in Los Feliz

I don’t normally get excited when an apartment opens up, but there is an apartment in Los Feliz Manor that is open and it’s too cool.

The building was designed by Jack Grundfor and was built in 1929. This a real, honest-to-God Art Deco building, not a rebuild, not a revival piece. The building was originally built as a hotel and was converted to apartments in the 1950’s. I love are deco. It is one of the few styles I would love to see return. Clean lines, smooth finishes, it all feels so classy and sophisticated.

Los Feliz Manor has elements of Mayan architecture in the large columns and roof. Each apartment has a mahogany door carved with a floral display. There are plate glass windows held by intricate ironworks. The rooms have 10 foot ceilings.

The lobby area has the openness that typifies a Spanish influence, with cool tile flooring. The feeling of the hotel is still there, as the lobby makes me want to drink champagne and talk with Lilian Gish.

With fountains and gardens, this is a step back to a time when Los Feliz was far removed from LA and belonged to farmers and Hollywood royalty.

Oh, and there is an apartment open in the building, so if you’re interested, give me a call and we can contact the apartment managers. Los Feliz Manor is located at 4643 Los Feliz Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA.

John Sowden House Hits The Market

Sowden House - 5121 Franklin Avenue - $4,888,000

An awe-inspiring, magical, Mayan style masterpiece. Built in 1926 and designed by Lloyd Wright (Frank Lloyd Wright’s son), Wright uses the same textile block system his father used in the Millard House. The result is an iconic Mayan style masterpiece measuring 5,600 square feet on a secluded 14,000+ lot.

Extensive restorations from 2002-09 by Xorin Balbes, the home now accommodates modern living while preserving the Architects master work.

Despite the hiss of criticism he received from architectural purist Balbes’ restorative remodel successfully created a modern day sanctuary.  Featured in Architectural Digest, the renovation ushered in a new era of activity as the Sowden House has become a favored location for celebrity fundraisers, movie shoots, TV shows, commercials, and corporate getaways.  It is also often know as the "black dalia" murder home.

The Sherwood House Becomes a Historic Monument

Los Feliz Has More History per Square Mile Then a Ken Burns Film

The L.A. Historic-Cultural Commission has set aside the Sherwood House in Los Feliz as designated historic monument. The house is located at 3435 Amesbury Road.

This is a classic Tudor style home that was designed in 1929 by Charles M. Hutchison. It was originally part of the F.P. Fay Company's “Los Feliz Hills” planned subdivision.

The first owner's name was Lucile Sherwood. Even though she only lived there for a few years, the name stuck. It was then the home of James J. Cline, in 1930, who was a UC Berkeley running back during the 1923 and '24 seasons. Although Cline was a star of the team, the team had an atrocious record during his time with the team. The only posted 2 wins in two years. Cline was the founder of Cline Lumber, an LA staple for generations of home builders.

Then the home passed to Tobias Kotzin, who was a clothing manufacturer in Los Angeles. He lived in the home from 1944 to 1976. His wife, Bessie, stayed there until her death in 1989.

The current owners have lived there since that time.

The length of stay of the owners, particularly the Kotzins and the current owners speaks to the comfort of the home, encased in the stunningly executed Tudor style drawn by Mr. Hutchison. The home was a part of the Revivalist Movement that was in vogue during the '20s through the '40s.

Mr. Charles Fisher, a local historian, represented the current owners in their bid to get the home listed as a Historic Monument. This status will afford the home certain protections to help preserve the heritage of Los Feliz.

You can, of course, drive by the home, but bear in mind that it is occupied. I love this home because is an extraordinary example of a classic style that has passed out of fashion in the US. Too bad, because I, personally, miss the time when every house on the street had a different look and personality.

Check it out. I would love to hear your impressions.