Register Today for Our Latest Virtual Event!
Sunday, November 6th from 5-6:30 p.m.
Free for Conservancy Members and Students
General Admission $10
Proper Hotel; Photo by Steve Loeper; Howard Laks, Architect; Robert Chattel, Historic Architect
Giving old buildings fresh purpose through adaptive reuse conserves resources, helps the environment, saves the city's historic heritage and preserves a sense of place and identity.

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 a preview of Frank Gehry's Ocean Avenue Project, presented by Historic Architect Robert Chattel.
With five speakers, seven segments and dozens of illustrations, this 90-minute livestream will be one of the Conservancy’s most ambitious virtual productions!

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.
Candidates for City Council Share Their
Thoughts on Historic Preservation
Santa Monica City Hall
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 Four: Architectural Tours
The Conservancy has created a dozen deeply researched and thoughtfully organized architectural tours since our founding in 2002. These events offer participants a direct experience of the City's historic resources for a better understanding of their context and value.

Highlights from our past tours include:

  • Third Street Historic District; Santa Monica’s first historic district, reflecting residential life in Ocean Park in the early twentieth century
  • Living in a Landmark; Discovering how homeowners have blended preservation with changes needed for contemporary lifestyles
  • John Byers Master Architect; Focus on the accomplishments of this Santa Monica resident architect whose innovations shaped regional design
  • The South Beach Neighborhood; Based on Conservancy research to understand the rationale for a potential South Beach Neighborhood Historic District, in what remained of the community after redevelopment demolished the southern portion during the 1960s
  • Wall to Wall; A program offered as a response to Covid offering a virtual panel discussion about the city's public murals as well as a booklet for self-guided tours

Did you know?! Free downloads of brochures from these tours and more are available online so you can take your own self-guided stroll or drive. Follow the link to discover your neighborhood!
We are delighted to welcome a new Business Sponsor this month! Thomas Safran & Associates (TSA) has a wonderful track record of preserving historic buildings like the Immanuel Church in Long Beach and the Dunbar Hotel on Central Avenue as part of their affordable housing development projects. Their developments use architecture and design to foster community and include cultural amenities such as art and pianos in public spaces as well as community libraries and gardens.

TSA writes, "We are supportive of the Conservancy's efforts to educate the Santa Monica community on its rich architectural heritage and history of housing and community development."
Help us strengthen our voice in historic preservation and grow our community by becoming a new member, renewing your existing membership or sending a gift membership today. Your support sustains the Santa Monica Conservancy. Thank you!
Conservancy Tours & Events
Fri-Mon, from 12-2 p.m.
Oct 21-24 & 28-31
415 Pacific Coast Highway
*Special Book Event this Sunday,
See Below*
Enjoy a free tour led by Conservancy docents and learn about the rich history of the Marion Davies Guest House, which was built by William Randolph Hearst for actress Marion Davies. The hottest spot on Santa Monica’s Gold Coast during the 1920s, guests included Charlie Chaplin and Greta Garbo. The 20-minute tours are available on a walk-up basis. Learn more
Saturdays at 10 a.m.
Oct. 22 & 29
1436 2nd Street
Discover the architectural gems and rich history of Downtown Santa Monica on our highly rated guided tour. From Art Deco to Victorian and Romanesque Revival, you’ll explore the various styles that fill the streets of our city. Tours are approximately two hours and cover six blocks. Free for members and $10 for the general public. Register
PRC Stephen Schafer shotgun house
Free In-Person Tours from 12-2 p.m.
THIS WEEKEND!
*Note: Main Street will be closed for Rocktober Fest, more info below*
Sat & Sun, Oct. 22 & 23
Come and visit the last intact shotgun house in Santa Monica this weekend! Discover the journey of this incredible little house, which was saved from demolition and moved–on wheels–three times before being adapted into our modern-day Center. Learn more
Community News & Events
Free Event to Celebrate the Release of "Captain of her Soul:
The Life of Marion Davies"
Annenberg Community Beach House
Sunday, October 23 from 3-5 p.m.
Registration required
Author Lara Gabrielle will read from and discuss her critically acclaimed biography of Marion Davies, which will be available for sale at the event. Begin your exploration of this remarkable woman with a tour of the Guest House, offered by Conservancy docents Fridays through Mondays from noon to 2 pm. Register
SAVE THE PIER, The Play
OPENS TONIGHT
*Free live performances
on the West End of the Pier*
10/20, 10/21, 10/22 & 10/23
7-8:30 p.m.
No reservations required
In honor of the 50th anniversary of the 1972 grassroots fight to stop the demolition of The Santa Monica Pier, the Santa Monica Pier Corporation presents a LIVE reenactment of "Save The Pier." No reservations required.
Main Street Rocktober Fest
Saturday, October 22
11 a.m to 8 p.m.
This Saturday Main Street, Santa Monica transforms into a pedestrian plaza making room for live music, Halloween activities, beer garden & more! Drop in at the Preservation Resource Center for visit while you're in the neighborhood! Free Tickets
Santa Monica Conservancy
310-496-3146

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