At the age of 64, Frank Parmelee retired from his position as President of the Parmellee Omnibus and Transfer Company in Chicago, and move to the sunnier climes of Los Angeles. In 1911, he purchased the entire southernly portion of the Elevado street property (with approximately 521 feet of frontage) and commisioned architect Franklin T. Kegley to design a home for he and his wife Meroe C. Parmelee. Kegley designed the home in ta grand Tudor Revival style, with five bedrooms, four bathrooms and (at least) three fireplaces; (that I remember, one a Batchelder, from a recent visit), and over 5000 sq. ft. of living space. Over time, parts of the property were sold off, resulting in the current 18,905 sq. ft. of land. The Parmelees later moved to the Ambassador Hotel, where Mr. Parmelee passed away on November 30, 1921.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Hathaway Estate, Silver Lake
One of Silver Lake's largest estates at 11,743 square feet on a lot of 82,764 square feet. This huge residence has a storied history, culminating in the development of the Hathaway Estates, a planned subdivision within Silver Lake. The house was built in 1923 and has a commanding 360 Degree View atop one of Silver Lake's highest hills. The house is built entirely of reinforced concrete; there is not one stick of wood in its structure. Mr. Hathaway apparently had a great fear of fire, and did not want his house burning down! It was recently (September 2004) on the market for $3,250,000. The house is located at 1809 Apex Avenue in Silver Lake.
Becker House, Gregory Ain, Architect 1938-40; Barry Milofsky, M2A Architects, Restoration 2003-07
Becker House, Gregory Ain, Architect 1938-40; Barry Milofsky, M2A Architects, Restoration 2003-07
Originally uploaded by Michael Locke
According to Architect Barry Milofsky, who purchased the house in December 2003, 'the Beckers wanted a 'party house', with access to a roof deck. There was orignially an open patio behind a privacy wall at the street level, and a narrow deck on the east side in back of the garage and at the lower level where the dining room was located. A dumbwaiter was installed to bring food from the kitchen at the lower level. A second owner enclosed the deck behind the garage. The third owners, Roy and Delores Dundas, purchased the house in 1960; althought they would have preferred the mosque-style house next door but couldn't afford the additional $2,000 asking price,' he said.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Jones House, Escher GuneWardena Architecture 2009
Crowning the top of one of Silver Lake's steepest streets, the Jones Residence is dramatic and appealing, very much in the spirit of John Lautner. It's not surprising, given the background of the architects. Frank Escher grew up in and studied Architecture at the ETH (Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule) Zürich. He is the editor of the monograph 'John Lautner, Architect,” serves on the Board of Directors of the John Lautner Foundation, and has lectured extensively on Lautner’s work in the United States and abroad. Mr. Escher has served as president, and is currently on the advisory board, of the Los Angeles Forum for Architecture and Urban Design.
Jones House, Escher Gunewardena Architecture Architecture 2009
Crowning the top of one of Silver Lake's steepest streets, the Jones Residence is dramatic and appealing, very much in the spirit of John Lautner. It's not surprising, given the background of the architects. Frank Escher grew up in and studied Architecture at the ETH (Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule) Zürich. He is the editor of the monograph 'John Lautner, Architect,” serves on the Board of Directors of the John Lautner Foundation, and has lectured extensively on Lautner’s work in the United States and abroad. Mr. Escher has served as president, and is currently on the advisory board, of the Los Angeles Forum for Architecture and Urban Design.
Swan House, Lee + Mundwiler Architects 2009
Designed by award-winning architects Lee + Mundwiler, this house features an open floor plan, natural wood floors, imported stone, polished concrete floors and walls, and finishes of the highest quality. The Santa Monica-based architectural firm with principal architects, Stephen Mundwiler and Cara Lee have won many awards, including an AIA National Honor Award and AIA California Merit Award for the design of the Central Park of the New Radiant City in Shenzan, China; an AIA National Housing Award for the design of the “Coconut House” in Los Angeles; and an AIA National Honor Award and AIA California Merit Award for the design of the Bundesplatz-Swiss Government Plaza in Bern Switzerland. The house was most recently listed for sale for $1,195,000. Located at 2955 Swan Place in Silver Lake.
Hopmans House, Harwell H. Harris, Architect 1951
Architect Harwell Hamilton Harris stands apart from the major architecture work of his time. Unlike his contempoaries, enamored with the in-fashion 'machine' International Style, Harris had a love affair with wood throughout his long, distinguished career.
The Hopmans House, located at 1727 N. Dillon Street in Silver Lake is an excellent example of his organic, woodsy style.
The Hopmans House, located at 1727 N. Dillon Street in Silver Lake is an excellent example of his organic, woodsy style.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Villa Palombo-Togneri, Innocenti Palombo, Designer 1927
A Beaux-Arts Masterpiece c. 1927. Popularized by the great classical architects of the time (like Paul Williams and Irving Gill), Mediterranean and Spanish style mansions were all the rage of the rich and famous of the period. Not much is known about the builder, however, it is said, that he hoped that in building this fine mansion others would follow suit. It must have been a little more than disappointing to realize the result. The house, located on Mayberry Street, is set in a neighborhood characterized by modest California bungalows, and yet it makes a statement. It is considered the 'Crown Jewel' of Mayberry Heights.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Wilson House, William Kesling, Builder-Designer, 1936
One of only a handful of remaining William Kesling's 'Modern Structures' built in Silver Lake between 1935 and 1937, the Wilson House is a fine expression of the 'Streamline Moderne' style that Kesling brought within reach of the average homebuyer in 1936 (the original cost: $3,590).
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