Issues List •  Contact City Council
 

Ty Miller

In July 2009, the Conservancy submitted comments on the Notice of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report for a project threatening the 1951 Barry Building in Brentwood. The letter stressed the need to fully consider a range of options that would retain the building's continued use as retail space. Numerous letters were submitted by Brentwood residents urging the owner to adaptively reuse the Barry Building as part of the project. The Brentwood Community Council also submitted a letter in support of preservation, while also addressing traffic and zoning concerns.

Located at 11973 San Vicente Blvd., the Barry Building was designed by Los Angeles architect Milton Caughey (1911-1958) and completed in 1951. It is a distinctive and highly intact example of mid-twentieth century office design, with the geometry and clean lines favored by European modernism. The building features a central courtyard with integrated landscaping and two gracefully curving staircases of concrete.

Robert Cleveland

The building's preservation effort has benefited greatly from a highly successful grassroots campaign. Diane Caughey, daughter of the architect, prepared the landmark nomination application, formed the Friends of the Barry Building coalition, and has sponsored several events to promote support for the building’s designation, including a presentation by members of the Conservancy's volunteer Modern Committee in May 2007.

Ty Miller

On July 12,2008, the Cultural Heritage Commission voted unanimously to recommend landmark designation, followed by a contentious 2-1 vote of the Planning and Land Use Management Committee on September 18. All three hearings were packed with members of the Friends of the Barry Building, with Councilman Bill Rosendahl repeatedly imploring his colleagues to support the nomination.

In October 2008, the Los Angeles City Council voted unanimouslyto designate the Barry Building a Historic-Cultural Monument (HCM). HCM designation will not halt development at the site but, rather, will give the city's Cultural Heritage Commission the chance to review plans for the building and ensure thorough consideration of alternatives if demolition is proposed.

Despite overwhelming community support, owner Charles Munger steadfastly fought landmark designation, but unexpectedly withdrew his opposition at the final City Council vote.