Need to attack these problems from so many sides. Historic districts, like hollywood, are nominated based on windshield surveys that make note of character-defining architectural features. Once nominated and approved, the protection applies only to the outdoor visible features. OHR, in reviewing a permit, can only go by what's listed in the nomination. They can require an historic assessment of the property, but that's it. Once the assessment is completed, the findings stand. They can only challange the assessment on technical errors and omissions, though such problems were ignored and not addressed at the Pig n' Whistle due to allegeded political pressure.
The nomination process is highly biased because the program was developed by architects. They really don't care about famous persons or historical events tied to a property, only which master architect may have designed the building. While a building could always be nominated due to cultural significance, most of these nominations were rejected in the past. The reign of the architect also resulted in nominations being rejected because original windows were replaced. This was a cheap and easy way to avoid nomination. It's also a stupid reason for rejection because windows can be replaced. The destruction of the Pig n' Whistle interior was justified on the basis that the ripped out interior can always be recreated. It's just a matter of money. If so, then the need to replace some windows should not halt the nomination.
Now, what about the assessment? That is conducted by a historian who knows how to research permits, and may know all about a buildings period of significance, but they do not need to know about cultural history or how to read an architectural drawing. In the Pig n' Whistle assessment, the provided drawing plans clearly showed some of the illegal construction at the front of the building, and yet, was not identified as such. In addition, the provided site history clearly did not agree with the provided drawings.
And what about the findings? You just know that these assessments will always agree with the developer. OHR believes that they have a fair system to manage the work. The person conducting the assessment is not allowed to talk to the developer. It's hands off while the report is underway. Okay, but once the report is out, the person who conducted the assessment is now known. Not a good career move to become known as a pro-preservation historian since your pay comes from the developer.
As for the Snow White Cafe, it all may be an urban legend. The Snow White Waffle Shop opened in 1946. Snow White, the movie, came out in 1937. That's nine years prior to opening. The movie re-release was two years prior to the opening. The spot was not a restaurant or bar prior to 1946 so the artists were unlikely to be hanging out. So, why would Disney animators drive into Hollywood from Echo Park just to hang out and drink? And this would be up to April 1949 when the studio moved to Burbank. No one has mentioned any Disney-related biography that talks about these paintings and there is no newspaper coverage from the '50s to the '70s about these murals inside the cafe. There was a lawsuit, but again. all details are lacking.
How tragic that our architectural history is so easily destroyed by capitalists in search of making money. Thank you for keeping us updated on the corruption in our city.
The Silver Platter smells disgusting, has a shitty beer selection, and is possibly the stickiest place I have ever been in. It’s at the bottom of my street and I went all of one time before realizing it is not a dive, it’s just gross. We actually DO need housing in this city. I hope the city tears it down soon.
If you live in Westlake, you must see all the empty buildings and vacant lots--we sure do. It's not necessary to tear everything down to build new. A sticky bar top can be cleaned, but demolition of the oldest gay bar in Westlake can't be reversed. There are serious procedural questions about how this application to redevelop the property failed to call out its age or historic status so a proper assessment and community feedback could happen.
Need to attack these problems from so many sides. Historic districts, like hollywood, are nominated based on windshield surveys that make note of character-defining architectural features. Once nominated and approved, the protection applies only to the outdoor visible features. OHR, in reviewing a permit, can only go by what's listed in the nomination. They can require an historic assessment of the property, but that's it. Once the assessment is completed, the findings stand. They can only challange the assessment on technical errors and omissions, though such problems were ignored and not addressed at the Pig n' Whistle due to allegeded political pressure.
The nomination process is highly biased because the program was developed by architects. They really don't care about famous persons or historical events tied to a property, only which master architect may have designed the building. While a building could always be nominated due to cultural significance, most of these nominations were rejected in the past. The reign of the architect also resulted in nominations being rejected because original windows were replaced. This was a cheap and easy way to avoid nomination. It's also a stupid reason for rejection because windows can be replaced. The destruction of the Pig n' Whistle interior was justified on the basis that the ripped out interior can always be recreated. It's just a matter of money. If so, then the need to replace some windows should not halt the nomination.
Now, what about the assessment? That is conducted by a historian who knows how to research permits, and may know all about a buildings period of significance, but they do not need to know about cultural history or how to read an architectural drawing. In the Pig n' Whistle assessment, the provided drawing plans clearly showed some of the illegal construction at the front of the building, and yet, was not identified as such. In addition, the provided site history clearly did not agree with the provided drawings.
And what about the findings? You just know that these assessments will always agree with the developer. OHR believes that they have a fair system to manage the work. The person conducting the assessment is not allowed to talk to the developer. It's hands off while the report is underway. Okay, but once the report is out, the person who conducted the assessment is now known. Not a good career move to become known as a pro-preservation historian since your pay comes from the developer.
As for the Snow White Cafe, it all may be an urban legend. The Snow White Waffle Shop opened in 1946. Snow White, the movie, came out in 1937. That's nine years prior to opening. The movie re-release was two years prior to the opening. The spot was not a restaurant or bar prior to 1946 so the artists were unlikely to be hanging out. So, why would Disney animators drive into Hollywood from Echo Park just to hang out and drink? And this would be up to April 1949 when the studio moved to Burbank. No one has mentioned any Disney-related biography that talks about these paintings and there is no newspaper coverage from the '50s to the '70s about these murals inside the cafe. There was a lawsuit, but again. all details are lacking.
How tragic that our architectural history is so easily destroyed by capitalists in search of making money. Thank you for keeping us updated on the corruption in our city.
It's getting to be like that episode of the old "Night Gallery" show- "They're Tearing Down Tim Riley's Bar"- only with more than one bar.
The Silver Platter smells disgusting, has a shitty beer selection, and is possibly the stickiest place I have ever been in. It’s at the bottom of my street and I went all of one time before realizing it is not a dive, it’s just gross. We actually DO need housing in this city. I hope the city tears it down soon.
If you live in Westlake, you must see all the empty buildings and vacant lots--we sure do. It's not necessary to tear everything down to build new. A sticky bar top can be cleaned, but demolition of the oldest gay bar in Westlake can't be reversed. There are serious procedural questions about how this application to redevelop the property failed to call out its age or historic status so a proper assessment and community feedback could happen.