Preservation Alert: The Barry Building, Brentwood, CA

THE BARRY BUILDING IS AT RISK.  WE NEED YOUR HELP.
11973 San Vicente Blvd, Brentwood


Deadline for letters is WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20th

The Barry Building was designed by Los Angeles-based architect, Milton Caughey, Completed in 1951.  

LA Conservancy is currently asking for the public for support in protecting this Mid-Century commercial space from demolition.   Significant due to it's fine example of the postwar development of Brentwood's San Vicente Boulevard commercial corridor and the impact the commercial district has today. the distinctive and highly intact with oodles of features representing the International School of Architecture's philosophies including the building's central courtyard and apropos planting beds.  Another notable feature of the building’s design is the integration of louvers that shield south and west-facing office windows from the California sun’s heat and glare.

Unfortunately, the present owner, Charles T. Munger seeks to raze this retail building only to replace it with a similar-sized building with the same usage being requested.  As it stands now, this Historic-Cultural Monument (HCM) is at risk and we need your support.  Yes, even buildings that have been designated by The City of Los Angeles can be threatened by current and future owners unless we let the city know how we feel about the significance of this architecture. 

What is happening is the location of The Barry Building is amongst a development plan of 3 separate buildings to create over 73,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and office space within two-story structures on San Vicente Boulevard.  The project in front of the city is called 'Green Hollow Square', formerly 'Brentwood Town Green'.

As the draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) has been released, including a Preservation Alternative reusing the Barry Building for retail space while retaining it's landmark designation, now is the time for your support.  We need to seal the deal here, as the owner does not feel The Barry Building would adequately meet the development needs of the current proposed project.  This is why the Conservancy will advocate for the Preservation Alternative while maintaining the position the project's objectives CAN be met by reusing the Barry Building.

 

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Take a moment to write a brief letter in support of the LA Conservancy's request for The Barry Building to stay intact to stave off the current 'Green Hollow Square' proposal for demolition of this site.

Below, you will find points to mention in your letter.  Please be sure to include the Subject Line:  'The draft EIR regarding Green Hollow Square Project (The Barry Building)'

• The Barry Building is a designated Los Angeles landmark, Historic-Cultural Monument #887. Every effort should be taken to avoid the demolition of this designated landmark.

• With its numerous retail spaces and large central courtyard, the Barry Building can be adapted to fit the needs of the Green Hollow Square project.

• The Barry Building can be sensitively upgraded for enhanced energy efficiency to meet the project’s sustainability goals.

• Alternative 4, the preservation alternative, should be the preferred project as it would retain and reuse the Barry Building while meeting many of the project’s goals. These include providing the same number of parking spaces and nearly the same amount of square footage as the currently proposed project.

• Alternative 4 can be further developed and refined to ensure that any new surrounding construction is appropriately designed and integrated with the Barry Building.

• Demolition of the Barry Building, a city landmark, would call into question the City’s ability to protect our cultural heritage when clear adaptive reuse options exist.

• The proposed alterations to the median and coral trees (HCM #148), as an optional plan, should be avoided. This sets a precedent and could invite further changes and cumulative impacts to this linear historic landscape monument.  

If you should live in Council District 11, make sure to emphasize you are a resident!!!


WHO TO INCLUDE(CC) IN YOUR EMAIL:

To help LA Conservancy track response, we request you copy the following individuals within your emails: coucilman.rosendahl@lacity.org, chc@lacity.org and mvavala@laconservancy.org.

Letters to be addressed:

Hadar Plafkin, Project Coordinator

Department of City Planning

200 N. Spring St, Room 750

Los Angeles, CA  90012

Email:  hadar.plafkin@lacity.org

CC:  coucilman.rosendahl@lacity.org, chc@lacity.org, mvavala@laconservancy.org

the Subject Line:  'The draft EIR regarding Green Hollow Square Project (The Barry Building)'

 

Thank you for your time and support.

We really appreciate it!