Where's Federico Flying this Weekend?

Two houses, both alike in dignity — near Venice Beach* — where you must be seen.


Dramatics were de rigeur in 1906 when the Bolton house was designed by Charles and Henry Greene, a team whose mission to “make necessary and useful things pleasurable” is perfectly encapsulated in this early spark of the Arts and Crafts Movement. Embracing surrounding land and drawing directly from their organic shapes and materials, the Greenes created a home that is at once ascetic and astounding.


Oh architect-uary! Thy style is quick: A mere nine years after the Bolton House rang in the Twentieth Century’s promise, the similarly beautiful Elliott House was constructed by architect Ralph R. Wilcox as a continuation and evolution of the Craftsman Style now so closely associated with Southern California. Be warned: seeing this home is a dream, but parting from it is such sweet sorrow.


*Near is a loose term — hour and twenty by car, forty six minutes as the flamingo flies.

The W.T. Bolton House


Where?

370 West Del Mar Boulevard

Pasadena, CA 91105


When?

Sun, May 8, 1:00PM - 4:00PM 


Learn more here...

The Elliott House


Where?

1330 North Louise Street

Glendale, CA 91207


When?

Sat, May 7, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Sun, May 8, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM


Learn more here...

About Federico...

Dear Reader, 


As a connoisseur of architecture (and a general iconoclast), I am often asked two questions: first, what sparked your radical love of historic buildings and their many splendors? Secondly, why are you standing on one leg? To both questions, I have but one answer: it’s in my DNA. 


The modern world races, paying more attention to the steady rise of a speedometer’s needle than to the details, left behind like breadcrumbs by a wandering Gretel, that carve out a time and a place. The buildings that we build and inhabit, regardless of scale or ceremony, are soaring testaments to the intricacy of the human heart.


In researching these buildings, in taking in their forms and admiring their fortitude, we resurrect them. They are no longer just brick and mortar, but beating heart and lively spirit. I, a proud romantic, could never turn my head away from such beautiful stories so openly shared. Should you heed my advice and journey to the stone and concrete and glass to which I point you, these stories may become your own (a lesser bird would make a ‘stories’ pun).


With all due respect and a mouthful of shrimp,


Frederico the Flamingo, esq. 


PS: if it wasn’t clear, the standing bit is in my DNA because I am a flamingo. 


PPS: the stories pun would be something about stories that you tell and stories in a house, but I am no lesser bird. 

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THORNTON GARDENS


Part four of Curtis McElhinney's documentary series on the homes of Myron Hunt.


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**Statements in this email (or by Federico the Flamingo) are not intended, nor should they be construed, as sales advocacy for the properties mentioned. Federico the Flamingo and FORT: LA’s efforts are solely for educational purposes. Open house times subject to change. Check Zillow before heading out!**