Join us Sunday, November 6th from 5-6:30 p.m. for an exploration of adaptive reuse through the stories of several high profile projects in Santa Monica. These include:

Pono Burger, once a military building now a hamburger restaurant. Presented by KFA, LLP Partner John Arnold, AIA.

The Proper, an office building now an upscale hotel and office complex. Presented by Howard Laks, AIA, principal at Howard Laks Architects, and historic architect Robert Chattel, president of Chattel, Inc.

The Conservancy's own Preservation Resource Center, formerly a shotgun house. Presented by Mario Fonda-Bonardi, AIA, Principal of Fonda-Bonardi & Hohman Architects.

In addition, preservationist and Conservancy Board member Ruthann Lehrer will present snapshots of other notable projects from around Santa Monica.

The program concludes with a look at the future of adaptive reuse with the highly anticipated Ocean Avenue Project developed by Worthe Real Estate and designed by Pritzker-Prize winning architect, Frank Gehry. The project will be presented by Historic Architect Robert Chattel.

Admission to Everything Old is New Again is free for Conservancy members and students and $10 for the general public. Click here to become a member and enjoy discounts on this and future events.

City Council members make crucial decisions - on landmark nominations that are appealed, on zoning constraints and incentives, and on other matters affecting the survival of our cultural resources. To help our members and friends evaluate the candidates' understanding and knowledge of their important role in protecting and revitalizing our cultural heritage, we sent them each the same questionnaire.

Follow the link below to read the questionnaire and the candidates' responses.

The Conservancy's Top Twenty Achievements, Part Five

The Civic Auditorium is an example of space age mid-century modernism designed by master architect Welton Becket. The building has operated in a limited capacity since 2013. Although plans for full revitalization and reuse of the designated landmark have yet to be realized, the Conservancy has played a key role in putting the issue on the public agenda. We provided leadership to the “Save the Civic” Coalition beginning in 2012, bringing together those motivated by the memories of the events and concerts it hosted and those who value its architecture and technology to support its revitalization. We also provided leadership to the City’s Civic Auditorium Working Group in 2015, developing a plan for the auditorium's revitalization and reuse.

To learn more about the Civic Auditorium building click here. And click here to read about the Belmar Triangle, a historically African American neighborhood that was displaced to make way for the civic center expansion in the 1950s.

Hosting the California Preservation Foundation's Preservation on the Edge Conference

In 2011 The Santa Monica Conservancy was selected by the California Preservation Foundation to host their annual state conference, an enormous undertaking for the young organization. The conference theme was Preservation on the Edge.

Conservancy leaders served on the Steering Committee alongside representatives from other local preservation groups and the statewide committee. The conference, headquartered at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel, set an attendance record, bringing hundreds of preservation supporters and practitioners from across the state, as well as local residents who were exposed to the work of the Conservancy for the first time.

We note with sadness the passing of long-time member and generous donor Barry Boehm, who resided at 518 Adelaide Drive. After opening his home for several Conservancy tours, he decided that he wished to have it designated as a Santa Monica Landmark. Built in 1925, the house is an outstanding example of French Tudor Revival architecture and was highly intact inside and out, with fine detailing.

The Conservancy assisted with the application, and subsequently with the creation of a plaque which is now mounted at the property. Mr. Boehm was immensely proud of his house and believed it should remain in place to be enjoyed and appreciated by future generations. It is one of five designated landmarks on Adelaide Drive that anchor us to our past and our architectural history amidst many newer homes on that unique street along our northern border.