^{July 13, 2010}

^{In a landmark agreement between Hollywood Heritage and developer PPD Gower I, LLC, a subsidiary of AREA Property Partners, the future of the historic former CBS Columbia Square Studios on Sunset Blvd. has been secured. Hollywood Heritage, through a series of negotiations and working groups with the developer secured vital provisions in the site’s Development Agreement with the City of Los Angeles, which will ensure the rehabilitation and preservation of the designated 1938 William Lescaze buildings along Sunset Boulevard.}

Among the provisions are;

· Rehabilitation of the William Lescaze buildings to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards

· The creation of an exhibition chronicling and celebrating the history of Radio and Broadcasting at Columbia Square Studios

· Commercial efforts to retain entertainment related production and businesses at the studios

· Installment of a bronze plaque which will mark the site of the Blondeau Tavern and later Christie Studios, Hollywood’s first motion picture studio

· Retention and re-use of architectural elements salvaged from Studios B and C in a new structure built on El Centro, which will reflect the spirit of the former studios.

· No demolition of Studios B and C until construction permits have been issued

From the beginning Hollywood Heritage has endeavored to ensure the preservation and re-use of the historic 1938 William Lescaze designed CBS Columbia Square Studio. To their credit, AREA/PPD GOWER working with architects Scott Johnson of Johnson Fain, Architects and Bill Roschen of Roschen Van Cleve Architects have shown their recognition and respect for these monuments ensuring their rehabilitation and integration into the larger proposed complex.

The issue of the Parkinson and Parkinson designed 4th Wing better known as Studios B and C, was a particularly challenging element of this project. While Hollywood Heritage encouraged the preservation of these studios due to their cultural significance and importance in tracing the growth of the historic site, the retention of Studios B and C caused significant issues for the design of the new complex. Hollywood Heritage recognized that the studio’s integrity and architectural significance had been substantially reduced through a series of renovations and alterations, particularly the Alison and Rible renovation of 1961 which removed the majority of the original interior and exterior features and added an extension on the east side of the studios.

During a series of working groups earlier this year a solution was devised which would see the construction of a new building on El Centro on the location originally identified by William Lescaze for a television studio. This new structure would integrate architectural elements to be salvaged from Studios B and C and will be built in the proportions of one of the original Parkinson and Parkinson studio spaces. This space would also be made available for production uses. While Hollywood Heritage continues to regret the loss of Studios B and C, the solution is both innovative and an appropriate homage to the cultural legacy of the Studios B and C.

Hollywood Heritage would also like to thank Council president Garcetti and Kelli Bernard, Director of Planning and Economic Development, whose constant attention to this issue and facilitation of the Columbia Square working group with architects Scott Johnson and Bill Roschen proved fundamental to reaching common ground and a solution which seeks to balance the need for development in Hollywood with the protection of our most treasured historic and cultural resources.

Playboy magazine founder donated the last $900,000 of $12.5 million needed to purchase the land behind the legendary Hollywood Sign, guaranteeing that no development would negatively affect the landmark. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Councilmember Tom LaBonge, Hollywood Sign Trust Chairman Chris Baumgart, and Trust for Public Land President Will Rogers were in attendance at a press conference to announce the gift. The donations began with $1 million gifts each from The Tiffany & Co. Foundation and Aileen Getty, who later added additional large matching grants. Others joining the campaign included The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, CBS Corporation, The Entertainment Industry Foundation, Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall, the Lucasfilm Foundation, NBC Universal, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Steven Spielberg, Twentieth Century Fox, Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and Time Warner Inc., and The Walt Disney Company Foundation. Other Hollywood contributors include Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, and Norman Lear.

The 138 acres of land adjacent to the Sign, which will now become part of Griffith Park, were originally bought by industrialist Howard Hughes. Hughes' estate sold the property in 2002 to a group of Chicago investors. Alarmingly, they put the property on the market in 2008 for $22 million with the potential to build four luxury homes.

Thanks to the tireless and generous efforts of benefactors large and small, the land is now permanently preserved and the world famous landmark view of Hollywood Sign landmark will not be diminished.

Left, The Sign as it appeared when it was a real estate promotion sign in 1923.

The battle over supergraphics on Hollywood Boulevard took an unexpected turn earlier this month when just in time for the Oscars, a huge wrap around advertisement for Dreamworks “How to Train Your Dragon” appeared on the First National Bank Building at Hollywood and Highland. Hollywood Heritage alerted the Council office who referrd the matter to the City Attorney. In the recent past this would have achieved little and the sign would have stayed up for a month while the property owner was scolded by the City Attorney’s office. This time however arrest warrants were issued leading to the arrest and incarceration on February 26th of the property owner Kayvan Setareh who spent three days in jail with a $1 million dollar bail until he agreed to take the sign down. The sign came down on March 2nd.

The City Attorney continued his campaign against illegal signage by issuing four more arrest warrants on March 4th and criminal misdemeanor charges against two other companies, Yorkbury and Yorkwood which own the building at 6800 Hollywood Blvd. whose art deco parapets have been recently revealed following the removal of the illegal signs.

Hollywood Heritage offers its warmest thanks to City Attorney Trutanich for fighting to curb billboard blight in the Hollywood Boulevard National Historic District and throughout the city of Los Angeles.

By Hillsman Wright, Executive Director, Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation and Hollywood Heritage Director.

On January 19th of this year, the Fairfax Theatres closed its Art Deco doors after nearly 80 years of operation. The property owner elected not to make repairs to the long-failing roof, which forced Regency Theatres to end its successful operation there. Have we lost our beloved neighborhood theatre forever? Not if the Friends of the Fairfax coalition succeeds in its efforts to preserve and re-open the theatre. The

Why save the Fairfax? Here are just a few reasons.

The Fairfax Theatre is the defining landmark of the Fairfax District. The theatre is architecturally, culturally and historically significant. Its interior and exterior are largely intact. It stands as a distinctive monument associated with the history of the Los Angeles Jewish Community and its architectural, cultural and social development. The Fairfax was a rallying point for information and fundraising for the Jewish Community in the years leading up to WWII and during the War. It has been used frequently for religious services.

The Fairfax has been a community gathering place for entertainment, political, religious and social events for 80 years. There is no reason that it shouldn’t continue to fulfill that function for the next 80 years. The Fairfax provides an anchor and economic generator for the district by attracting patrons who shop and dine in the neighborhood. The Fairfax provides a low cost entertainment option within walking distance for thousands of Senior Citizens and neighbors.

The Fairfax has a full stage, fly tower and dressing rooms and has been and still can be used as a live performance venue. Interior alterations adapting the Fairfax into a three screen theatre are easily reversible.

Sadly, over the past decade, the Fairfax has been allowed to deteriorate by its owner. We call this demolition through neglect. Fortunately, the Cultural Heritage Commission voted unanimously on April 1 to consider the Friends of the Fairfax nomination to designate the Fairfax as a landmark. Cultural Landmark designation will require the owner to prevent further decay and could help delay demolition of the building. The next hearing to advance the nomination is June 3. We may call on you to contact your City Councilmember as the nomination moves forward over the next several months. When that call comes, YOU really can help save the Fairfax. In the meantime. see http://sites.google.com/site/savethefairfax/ and join Friends of the Fairfax on FaceBook for frequent updates.

The Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting, preserving, restoring and sustaining the operation of Southern California’s historic theatres.

For more information visit www.lahtf.org , or join us on FaceBook by scrolling and pasting this address into your browser

 http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=125430125723

To All The Friends of The Fairfax Theater, On June 3, 2010, the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission will be holding its hearing to determine the future of The Fairfax Theater. Now is the time to voice your concern and support for the Fairfax. Since 1930, the Fairfax Theater has been an integral part of the Fairfax district. The theater has served as a cinema, a legitimate playhouse, and important locale for various religious and civic events. In the 80 years of operation, many residents of the community saw their first movie here and for others, even their first date and quite a few others, their first job. This Art Deco treasure should not and cannot be lost to the way of a developer’s whim. Please voice your concern to the LA Cultural Heritage Commission and to Councilman Paul Koretz that the Fairfax Theater needs to be made a Los Angeles Cultural Landmark. 

Email is the best way to be heard by the Commission and the Councilman. Please email them before the June 3rd hearing. And if you are available on June 3rd for the hearing at City Hall your presence will send a resounding message.  

The Cultural Heritage Commission

Ken.bernstein@lacity.org 

The Councilman

Paul.koretz@lacity.org 

Please CC emails to The Friends of The Fairfax so we can be better armed with letters of support at the Hearing

Friends.fairfax@gmail.com  

Thank you and Let’s Save The Fairfax,The Friends of The Fairfax Theater  

Sample email (please include your own personal story/relationship you have with the Fairfax)

To The Cultural Heritage Commission/ Councilman Koretz, 

For over 80 years, The Fairfax Theater has been a cornerstone to the Fairfax District. It has been an anchor to which a whole community has grown around. Its closure and proposed development into condominiums will grossly impact one of LA’s most vibrant neighborhoods. This Art Deco landmark cannot be lost! Please vote for the Fairfax theater to be recognized as a LA Cultural Landmark. Sincerely,(your name and email)