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The Threat

The modernist Barry Building was designated Historic-Cultural Monument #887 in 2008. Photo by Ty Miller.

The 1951 Barry Building is once again targeted for demolition in the third and latest revision of the Brentwood Town Green project proposed by the property’s owner, Charles T. Munger. The Notice of Preparation (NOP) of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the project, the third to be released in conjunction with these revisions, was released in mid-April and has a May 17 deadline for public comments. The Conservancy, along with several members of the Brentwood community, submitted comments on the previous NOP that stressed the need to consider alternatives that would adaptively reuse the historic Barry Building as part of the project.

The revised project expands the scope to include an additional parcel and would contain over 73,000 square feet of floor area in three new, two-story buildings. Like the previous two versions of the project, however, the current proposal involves the complete demolition of the Barry Building despite its status as Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument #887. The Conservancy has once again submitted comments urging for the inclusion of alternatives in the EIR that adaptively reuse the Barry Building.  The draft EIR for the project is expected to be released in early September.  We will keep you updated on this issue.

Conservancy Comments on the Notice of Preparation

About the Building

A view of the courtyard, where a louvered screen shields west-facing windows from the sun. Photo by Robert Cleveland.

Located at 11973 San Vicente Boulevard in Brentwood, the Barry Building was designed by Los Angeles architect Milton Caughey (1911-1958) and completed in 1951. The distinctive and highly intact building is arranged around a central courtyard which features integrated landscaping and two gracefully curved concrete staircases. A notable feature of the building’s design is the integration of louvers which shield south- and west-facing office windows from the sun’s heat and glare.

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.

The courtyard of the Barry Building features integrated landscaping. Photo by 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 unanimously to designate the Barry Building a Historic-Cultural Monument. Despite overwhelming community support, owner Charles Munger steadfastly fought landmark designation, but unexpectedly withdrew his opposition at the final City Council vote.