Since its founding in 1976, the Windsor Square Hancock Park Historical Society has been researching the history of local homes in the neighborhood. Recently the society has begun work on a book compiling all the research it has collected over the years. And in preparation, members are revisiting their trove of research files and have begun to transcribe and post some of it on the Society’s website. Society president Richard Battaglia shared some of the research with members this week, and gave further permission for us to share their posts with Buzz readers. As members of the society, we’ve learned to do historic research on own homes and other local properties, so we’re thrilled that more of this information is becoming more broadly available — it’s great fun to learn more about these lovely homes.
The Plymouth Blvd. residence pictured above is an excellent example of Italian Renaissance design, according to the Society. Below is its description of the home.
“The design source for this house can be found in the work of Italian architect Andre Palldio (1508-1580), who is best known for the grand country houses and public building in Vincenza and the surrounding countryside. His treatise, “The Four Books of Architecture”, was the most influential publication on architecture during sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. His buildings continue to be a source of inspiration to architects interested in neo-classical design.
The salient features of the house at 425 S. Plymouth that are Palladian include the recessed center section of the facade that is flanked by slightly projecting wings. The facade of the house is divided into four layers, the basement (the terrace level), the ground floor, the piano noble (second floor) and the attic. The roof is pulled back over the central section of the house to allow the introduction of the three small rectangular attic windows that were the prime element of the attic level. This unique feature is also a prominent element of the Villa Godi.
The circular windows in the recessed porch and the rondels plaques on the second floor was a popular motif found in many of Palladio’s compositions such as the Palazzio della Ragione in Vincena.
The dramatic neo-classical urn and swags that are executed bas- relief over the first floor windows are related to sumptuous wall designs used by Palladio as a relief to the normally severed appearance of his buildings. At the Villa Babaro over scaled bas- relief swags of fruits, monumental figures and various classical elements provide an over abundant surface decoration to a semi-circular wall that forms the background to a great nymphaeum pool.”
Visit the Historical Observer tab on the society’s website for more information on this home.
Built 1926, this graceful, simple, yet elegant Andalusian-style home was designed by Roland Coate for Mr. & Mrs. Richard B. Fudger, according to architectural historian and local realtor Bret Parsons, who published a book on Mr. Coate last year and posted this article:
“Mr. Coate’s designs were skillfully executed in several notable homes in Pasadena, Beverly Hills and Hancock Park. The Fudger home is a triumph of the Spanish Colonial Revival style. It was reviewed with an extensive photographic layout in Architectural Digest in 1928 and in Arts and Architecture the following year. Both publications praised the charm of the out-of-doors access, enclosed gardens, lacy iron balconies and rough-hewn beams. The facing views of the golf course is startling for an urban property.
Since the living rooms open on gardens at the side and rear of the property, the service yard faces the street, but is shielded by a high wall and a double row of trees, producing an effect which gives beauty and unity of composition to a practical utility.
In 1936, Howard Hughes purchased this home and lived there for 15 years, “his happiest years…his movie period…15 years that found Hughes designing, building and flying record breaking planes as well as producing Hollywood films.” Another article refers to Mr. Hughes as “a handsome rake linked by columnists to a mind-boggling list of female stars. It started with Billy Dove and ranged on through the stellar likes of Ginger Rogers, Katherine Hepburn, Ida Lupino, Elizabeth Taylor, Ava Gardner, Jane Russell, Jean Simmons, Mitzi Gaynor, Jean Harlow, Gina Lollobrigida, Zizi Jeanmearie, Sophia Loren and finally Jean Peters, whom he married, and Terry Moore, who says he married her first. The “mansion is believed to be the only home Hughes ever lived in and also owned.”
In addition to research, the society has been organizing events with local historians and authors. Earlier this week, Ken Bernstein, who heads the City’s Office of Historic Resources, spoke to society members and guests about his new book, Preserving LA.: How Historic Places Can Transform America’s Cities. The book documents how Los Angeles has led the nation in historic preservation and shares how other cities can do the same. Bernstein noted that only 2 percent of the city is protected by historic guidelines. But those historic resources are incredibly value to the entire community of Los Angeles and we are fortunate to live in and among those irreplaceable properties. Click here to listen to a recording of Mr. Bernstein’s talk.
The Windsor Square Hancock Park Historical Society welcomes all who are interested in its mission to increase the awareness of and the importance of preserving our historic neighborhoods. Membership is $25 for students, $45 for individuals, $65 for couples or families. Click here to learn more.
Thank you, Patty. This was great.