Preservation Issues

If you become aware of a building that appears threated in some way and it is either a landmark or a contributor to the character of the neighborhood, let us know.
Please contact us by email or call 818-242-7447.

We appreciate your support in helping us keep the public informed with current information.

Los Angeles County Courthouse
600 E. Broadway

photo (above) courtesy of LA Conservancy

The Glendale County Courthouse, located at 600 E. Broadway is eligible for listing on both the National Register of Historic Places and the California Register of Historical Resources. However, the building's historic significance is threatened by a plan by the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to replace it with a new expanded Courthouse without preserving key architectural features and its eligibility listing as a historic resource. Comments to the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) submitted by TGHS, the LA Conservancy, and California Preservation Foundation are available at the links below. To find out more details about the project log on to the California Courts Glendale court webpage.

Background: The Courthouse, designed by architect Arthur Wolfe and built in 1959, is one of the most important post-World War II buildings in Glendale's Civic Corridor. It combines the values of Modern architecture (clean lines, wide expanses of glass, horizontal emphasis) with late Moderne details and a unique, serpentine façade of multi-colored brick. The interior also features Modern design elements including a “floating” stairway.

Click below to read official comments on the Draft EIR:

The Glendale Historical Society: Comments on Draft EIR for Glendale Courthouse

Los Angeles Conservancy: Comments on Draft EIR Glendale Courthouse

The California Preservation Foundation: Comments on Draft EIR for Glendale Courthouse

Please watch this space for future updates.

City policies affecting window replacement

Click here to read
Window Know How

a publication of the National Trust

City Policies Impacting Window Replacement in Older Homes - Report to City Council on window replacement practices.

UPDATE! Recently the city of Glendale denied approval of a front replacement window project in order to protect one of Glendale's most architecturally distinct neighborhoods. We agree with the city's action. "Modernizing" a 1930s-period revival home with inappropriate replacement windows would not only ruin the architectural integrity and value of a period home, it would negatively affect the value of surrounding properties as well. It still appears that many Glendale homeowners have been badly mislead on this issue; window replacement in this situation is a bad investment as it decreases the desirability and value of character homes and neighborhoods.

Vinyl replacement windows do not significantly improve a home's energy-efficiency. Statistical studies have shown that it takes at least 40 years for the average window replacement project to pay for itself in energy savings, but the typical replacement window actually needs replacing itself after only about 20 years. The energy consumed in manufacturing, transporting and installing replacement windows is actually several times more than the windows could possibly conserve in their very short lifespan.

The fact is that repairing, weather-stripping and properly maintaining old wood windows is significantly less expensive than replacement and can provide as much energy-efficiency as new windows.

We strongly encourage all homeowners in Glendale's older neighborhoods to educate themselves on this very important subject by reading the National Trust for Historic Preservation's excellent Weatherization Guide for Older and Historic Buildings at:
http://www.preservationnation.org/issues/weatherization/

Background info:

TGHS recommends that proposed new city Guidelines on Window replacement strongly discourage the use of vinyl (i.e. polyvinyl chloride) window installations on front façades in Glendale's older neighborhoods, where they are incompatible with existing architectural style and in other conditions as determined by Staff; we also support prohibiting the use of internal muntin grids and Z-bar frames when visible from the street. (this would be included in "Option 3" of the proposed city guideline)

TGHS Community Commentary in the July 9th Glendale News Press .

Voice your support for City Window Replacement Guideline Option 3 and the specific recommendations above by writing to the City Council and City Cler (see below for email addresses).

Click here to read TGHS Position Paper (PDF)

City Council Members and Clerk are:

Laura Friedman-Mayor
Rafi Manoukian-Councilmember
Frank Quintero-Councilmember
Ara Najarian-Councilmember
Dave Weaver-Councilmember
Ardy Kassakhian-City Clerk

Click here to read the current Glendale window replacement policy

American Foursquare House
337 N. Cedar

Mission Revival Building
230 S. Orange

TGHS and Caruso Affiliated have been working together to preserve the facade of this unique Mission Revival commercial building for incorporation into the new Nordstrom project planned for the Americana at Brand. The building facade features capped buttresses and a curved Mission parapet.

It is anticipated that the windows of the facade and specially installed display boxes will feature historical photographs and information about upcoming TGHS events. Watch this space for further updates on this project.

Read original letter to Glendale Redevelopment Agency from TGHS President John LoCascio advocating for preservation of this structure.

Masonic Temple
232-236 S. Brand Blvd.

The nine story Art Deco tower was designed in 1927 by architect Arthur G. Lindley, who also designed the Alex Theatre and, with his partner Charles R. Selkirk, the Hotel Glendale. It was completed in 1928 and housed at least six different Masonic organizations, each with its own meeting and support spaces.

The owners, Frank DePietro and Sons, have embarked on a rehabilitation. This project includes restoration of key elements of the interior (entry lobby) and also additional windows to accomodate office spaces. The project is approved by the Historic Preservation Commission and the Redevelopment Agency and it is underway.

Designed in 1960 by architects Marion J. Varner and Raymond Jones, the former Police headquarters is an excellent example of mid-20th century Modern civic architecture. It features a strong horizontal emphasis typical of the era, achieved by rows of strip windows separated by a continuous spandrel band of blue mosaic tile. The flat roof appears to drape over one edge of the building, forming a blank, abstract plane over the main entrance.

The building is eligible for listing on the California Register of Historical Resources. It has been mostly vacant since the department relocated into the new Police headquarters at 131 N. Isabel St. Some city offices are operating in the building, however, its future has not been determined. TGHS is ready to support a proposal for an appropriate reuse of the building.

This building, located at the intersection of Brand Boulevard and San Fernando Road, housed the George Seeley Furniture Company for sixty-seven years. Rehabilitation and restoration as a creative office environment is currently underway by George Seeley and Creative Environments of Hollywood, the developer.

The building was listed on the Glendale Register of Historic Resources in 2008 and is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

Commercial Building
346 N. Central

This unique two-story office building was constructed in 1934 in the Spanish Colonial Revival style more typical of private residences than commercial structures. It is distinctively faced in brick rather than stucco and features some very fine original detailing, including casement windows, arched doorways, stone lintels and decorative wrought iron work.

The building is eligible for listing on the California Register of Historical Resources.