Historic Preservation

Hillcrest LED Sign

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 17:57:58 -0400

The new Hillcrest neighborhood sign was unveiled at the 2011 City Fest. It was greeted with much fanfare and praise. "Green Technology" had come to Hillcrest. Low energy costs and repair. Sounded wonderful. But then the switch was flipped. Gone was the warm, rich, and beautiful glow of the pink rose neon tubing. Instead we got a harsh glaring blue/white light. "Oh, you'll get used to it," proponents said. People get used to potholes in San Diego, but it doesn't mean we prefer them to smooth streets. But the visual unpleasantness of the new sign is only one aspect of why it deserves an Onion. A decision was made concerning a historical resource by not seeking due process before the Historical Resources Board. HRB has reviewed other signs before including the Kensington Sign. Why not the Hillcrest sign? Those of us who would have participated in public discussion of the sign's fate would have liked to have had the opportunity to do so. This new sign was really sprung on San Diego in a very surprising way. The original Hillcrest sign was built in 1940, some 70 years ago. It is one of Hillcrest's best examples of Streamline Moderne era sign artisan ship. Although it was taken down for refurbishing in 1984, the rehab was done along Secretary of Interior Standards--all like materials were used to preserve the historic appearance. This was not the case in 2011. Glass tubing was replaced by plastic. The night time glow of LED casts a different quality and character of light. But the plastic tubing also looks non historic in the daylight as well. It introduces a non-historic a tan or brownish color to the sign. Also different is the way the LED tubing is so closely mounted to the sign surface. Neon tubing was set more apart from the surface, and therefore produced a very different "floating" visual effect. Also the bright shiny metal clips and framing attaching the LED tubing is yet another added non historic visual element. Replacing the old sign was justified by saying it was no longer affordable to keep it lit and repaired. Interestingly in the bracing discussion concerning the Kensington Sign in 2009, the LED vs Neon discussion was not one that lasted very long. Everyone recognized neon's superior and irreplaceable richness of color and light was worth the exta cost. Nicer things do sometimes cost more. Clearly saving money is not always the smart choice. In terms of "going green" yes the electric bill may go down some with LED. But neon to begin with is already classified as a low energy light source. Being that historic neon is now very rare in San Diego why can't we allow what remains to live on without the threat of "progress?" People love neon because of its historic look and warm character. Certainly we can save our planet, go green, and save our historical resources at the same time. And recognize the value of an investment from the richness of its return both culturally and aesthetically.

Snowflake Bakery Building

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 16:44:53 -0400

What was once an intersection with horse-drawn carriages and the smell of freshly baked bread is now a historic landmark in East Village, San Diego. This brick bakery building went through several transitions during the past 100 years, unfortunately falling into a state of despair and neglect. The current owners took it upon themselves to do an adaptive reuse that included taking the building back to its original brick façade and restoring the corner entry based on historical photos. Even the original Snowflake Bakery sign was repainted across the top of the building. A complete seismic upgrade was completed and the building is now home to AVRP Studios.

Daniel Soderberg

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 22:59:15 -0400

This is a different type of nomination under the category of Historical Preservation. Dan is a documentary film maker, photographer, video artist, and blogger who has contributed to KPBS, SOHO, among others. His work is incredible because it is used in mass media, educational, and political discourse. It is always well-researched and well produced. Since the San Diego Union Tribune no longer has a focused reporter on architecture and historical preservation, Dan Soderberg's body of work has filled a void. (Roger Showley seems to report only on the Business section). To advance architectural preservation San Diego needs talented people like Dan. Dan brings architecture and historical preservation from eras of the late 1800's to mid-century modern, including niches such as neon signs, theaters, dining establishments, adobe, master architects of San Diego.

Cosmopolitan Hotel and Restaurant Restoration

Veritas — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 21:51:32 -0400

The Cosmopolitan Hotel and Restaurant (formerly the Casa de Bandini) is one of San Diego’s most important and unique historic resources. Originally constructed as a one-story adobe residence for Don Juan Bandini in the late 1820’s, it was renovated in 1869 to add a wood framed second story. The building had suffered from differed maintenance and extensive remodeling, diminishing its historical integrity and functionality. By 2005, non-historic stucco had covered over the second floor wood clapboards and other “Mexican-style” alterations had severely altered the historic appearance of the building. The roof, railings, interiors, and colors were also modified. The restoration reversed all of these changes and also included seismic retrofitting, adobe repair, full disabled accessibility, a new detached kitchen, fire sprinklers, new HVAC, new outdoor bar and restroom structure, and recreation of many missing historic features like the rooftop sign. Delaware North Companies Parks and Resorts paid for the meticulous restoration and rehabilitation along with grant funding acquired by California State Parks. The restoration followed The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties in order to maintain the historical, cultural, and architectural value of the building. When construction was completed the “Cosmo” faithfully represented the interpretive period of Old Town State Historic Park from 1821-1872. Add'l info: http://www.oldtowncosmopolitan.com

Imig Manor / Lafayette Hotel

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 13:35:45 -0400

Opened in 1946 as Imig Manor, the Lafayette Hotel property comprises one-city block along El Cajon Boulevard, Old Highway 80, and was designed by Master Architect Frank L. Hope in an eclectic style with a Colonial Revival exterior and Streamline Moderne interior finishes including the 'Imig Manor' terrazzo star flooring at the hotel lobby. Perhaps one of the most unknown features of the main hotel building is the Seashell Bandstand at the hotel's famous 'Mississippi Room' which hosted musicians and other entertainments acts from 1946 forward. Many older generation San Diegans recall holding or attending important personal events like weddings, fashion shows, graduation and birthday parties at the historic hotel ballroom. At the opposite corner of the main hotel building is the Red Fox Room, opened at the property in 1949. Through the decades the property has been owned and occupied by notable San Diegans including Master Builder Larry Imig, and Conrad Hilton, who moved the Los Angeles Chargers to San Diego. The corporate headquarters and ticket office for the San Diego Chargers remained at the hotel until the construction of the present-day Qualcomm Stadium. At the threat of demolition, the hotel property was designated by the City of San DIego Historic Sites Board (present-day Historical Resources Board), and subsequent to the local designation, the hotel complex underwent several decades of remodel and often insensitive design choices that detracted from the building's historic character-defining features. From 2009 forward the hotel has been rehabilitated pursuant to The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation with all projects subject to review by the California State Office of Historic Preservation and the National Park Service as part of a larger Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit process. This proper technical Rehabilitation has ensured that this important local landmark is a viable property along El Cajon Boulevard, and will continue to contribute to San Diego's social and architectural history in the mid-century period.

Til-Two Club

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 13:46:51 -0400

In October 2010, the Beauty Bar closed their doors, and the Til-Two Club reopened! Mick Rossler, owner of the Tower Bar, another landmark in City Heights, who has a passion for restoring and bringing new life to historic venues, is responsible for the return of the Til-Two. Two years ago, Sara Knook, who at the time managed the Beauty Bar, received a phone call from Moreta Morin, and by the sound of her voice Sara knew she was an older woman who a great story to tell. Moreta unveiled that her husband owned the Til-Two in the 1940’s and Moreta used to manage the State Theatre right next-door. Moreta was actually the first female theatre manager in San Diego. A couple days later, Moreta and her family returned to the Beauty Bar with pictures to share. While looking at each photo, Moreta recalled memories of her husband who worked behind the bar. She also told stories of the neighboring businesses at that time, including the State Theatre and Oscar's Drive-in. In October 2010, upon looking at Moreta’s pictures, Mick Rossler decided that he could do no better than what had already been done, and proceeded to purchase the business and historically restore the Til-Two. Mick received funding the through the City of San Diego’s Storefront Improvement Program to restore the front façade to its original character. The restoration is based on Moreta’s pictures of the Til-Two from 1948. Every effort has been made to replicate the original design and materials. Sixty years later, an exact replica of the neon Til-Two sign shines again on El Cajon Boulevard. The stucco exterior around the front window was uncovered to expose the original glass blocks, which after years of deterioration have been replaced in kind. Like many other business owners on El Cajon Boulevard, Mick is excited to be a part of the Boulevard’s revitalization. As Mick stated, “Back in the 50’s this was the main thoroughfare where all the action was, so it would be nice to bring that back.”

Cosmopolitan Hotel

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 21:08:26 -0400

It may well be accurate, but it is a flaming failure because it is the ugliest building in San Diego. Here's an idea; let's take it back to the 1600's, Just bulldose it! Believe me no-one would miss it. Give it back to Dianne Powers, if she would even take it back.

Plaza de Panama Committee's Proposed "Restoration" of Balboa Park

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 16:43:20 -0400

Led by Mayor Jerry Sanders and private citizen/billionaire Irwin Jacobs, the proposed "historic restoration" of Balboa Park by the Jacobs-funded and appointed "Plaza de Panama Committee" in reality has nothing to do with historic preservation. Jacobs' Plan would effectively destroy large sections of the scenic and historic National Register-listed Balboa Park in favor of the heavy-handed implementation of extensive car-friendly infrastructure. Mr. Jacobs and Mayor Sanders are willing to severly compromise the historic integrity and aesthetics of Balboa Park in order to build a massive, un-needed and unwanted concrete off-ramp off of the individually historically-designated Cabrillo Bridge. Furthermore, the "team" plans to fill in Palm Canyon to expand the parking lot behind the Alcazar Gardens (and create a traffic snarl unlike any that Balboa Park has previously known) and to create a major new sunken roadway (AKA a deep trench) all the way from the Cabrillo Bridge to a massive new parking structure located behind the Spreckels Organ Pavillion. They say that the parking structure behind the Spreckels Organ Pavillion is going to be "below grade," but their drawings clearly show otherwise. All told, this new infrastructure will divide and ruin Balboa Park just like Robert Moses' BQE screwed up New York City decades ago -- before city planners apparently "knew better." Please visit www.sohosandiego.org for accurate information on the proposed project that will likely cost the City of San Diego 10s if not 100s of millions of dollars, turn Balboa Park into a construction zone for the next 10+ years, and destroy it for everybody except those who only like to enjoy it from inside their cars while on their way to the Old Globe Theatre. (While the motivations behind this abominable plan are unclear, it is important to note that Jacobs is a major financial supporter of the Old Globe, around which the plan appears to have been designed to singularly bennefit.) There are many ways to enhance and restore Balboa Park that will not come at such a high cost. Please help defeat this plan by voting to give Mayor Sanders, Irwin Jacobs and the Plaza de Panama Committee an Onion.

Poway Midland Train Depot

Veritas — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 14:00:32 -0400

20 years ago the City of Poway began the development of Old Poway Park. The concept was to develop a turn-of-the-century center with relocated historical buildings located on site. Several Landmark structures are now on site as well as the historic 1907 Baldwin No. 3 Steam Locomotive. Due to budgetary constraints, the Poway Midland Train Depot project was never constructed. Finally, in 2009, a 620 square foot depot was designed and constructed which includes a ticket sales/display area, office, public restrooms, and a covered outdoor waiting area. The design reflects the rural Victorian character of a small town train depot of the 1880s and is consistent with the Old Poway Specific Plan design guidelines. Using traditional detailing, materials, and even methods of construction, the Poway Midland Train Depot was created with much care and craftsmanship. The completed depot is now a cornerstone for Old Poway Park, very much in keeping with the historic look and feeling of the park.

Homer Delawie Offices at Presidio Park

Wed, 25 May 2011 20:06:04 -0400

Homer Delawie was one of San Diego greatest architects. His pride and joy, (and a favorite of mine) was his offices at the base of Presidio Park. The spectacular yet simple design blended in beautifully with the park, and was worth of being at the entrance of one of San Diego's crown jewels, Presidio Park. In the past 18 months, the new owners have done tremendous damage to the look and feel of this landmark. They have surrounded it with a horrible "prison looking" fence, painted it a hideous "Pea Soup" color, and ruined one of the great examples of Modernism in SoutherN California. WORTHY OF THE GRANDEST OF GRAND ONIONS!