Office of Historic Resources
Department of City Planning
200 N. Spring Street, Room 559,
Los Angeles, CA 90012
President Richard Barron
Commissioner Jeremy Irvine
Vice President Gail Kennard
Commissioner Barry Milofsky
Commissioner Elissa Scrafano
RE: Metropolitan Water District Headquarters located at
1111 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Dear Commissioners:
The undersigned respectfully request that you, as guardians of our Historic resources for Los Angeles, designate the MWD Headquarters building as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument. Recently a demolition permit was filed to tear down the Metropolitan Water District’s former Headquarters built in 1963.
The removal of this mid-century architectural gem will eradicate a significant chapter in our collective history; a chapter rich in the history of water in Los Angeles and about life in the City of Angels. We assume that you are all well versed in the significant role the Metropolitan Water District played in Los Angeles over the last three decades starting in the early 60’s. We encourage you to watch this short film on the history of the agency produced to celebrate its 75th Birthday.
We are counting on your leadership in making sure that the MWD’s history and the extraordinary design of Los Angeles based architect William Pereira commissioned by MWD be preserved and respected with the current and future owners as plans move forward to develop this property.
For too long mid-century modern architecture has been denied its rightful place on the list of local historic resources of our city. We are confident that you recognize that despite recent actions (such as the removal of some non- structural façade elements), a respectful adaptive reuse and rehabilitation of this historic building will bring it back to its former glory so that this historic building can remain to entice and inspire a new generation of Angelenos.
Please vote to designate the Metropolitan Water District Headquarters building as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument.
Respectfully,
Add your name here.
cc: Lambert Giessinger, Historic Preservation Architect; (213) 978-1183 lambert.giessinger@lacity.org
Ken Bernstein, Manager and Principal City Planner, (213) 978-1181; ken.bernstein@lacity.org
Janet Hansen, Deputy Manager, (213) 978-1191; janet.hansen@lacity.org
Melissa Jones, Planning Assistant, (213) 978-1192; melissa.jones@lacity.org
Gilbert Cedillo, Councilmember District 1— councilmember.cedillo@lacity.org
Gerald Gubatan, planning deputy for CD1 — gerald.gubatan@lacity.org