The LA Times has reported that Regency asked to be let out of their lease, but this isn’t true. The owner refused to make repairs to the structure, and used that as an excuse to force Regency out. Regency has stated that they were happy with the theater’s performance and wanted to stay there. Now if the owner has his way the building will be empty for the two years it takes to work all the environmental impact reports, etc., out, all the while disintegrating from neglect, until the point where if the redevelopment doesn’t occur there will be nothing left to save. That’s being a good neighbor…
In case anyone is wondering, the party went well. Over a hundred people showed up, the Times and ABC 7 covered the event. And there was even a birthday cake…
There will be a party tomorrow from noon to 12:30, Saturday, March 27th, out in front of the theater to show support for preservation efforts and to celebrate the theater’s 80th birthday.
The landmark nomination will be heard on April 1st.
Thanks for the info. I’ve seen that photo before, but couldn’t tell if that was the fountain or not. We even searched the walls looking for evidence of pipes, etc.
And I agree that it would be nice if they get this place restored. The plans that they presented at our event were very ambitious. For one thing, they talked about building a new floor in the auditorium so they would have stadium seating — but they would preserve the original walls.
Lands, thanks for the great post! My photos from that day are posted on Facebook at the Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation’s page. I don’t think you have to become a “fan” to look at them. The mural on the ceiling is still there, looking very good in fact. As for the cafeteria, I don’t know about that. It sounds like it would have been in the retail space on the side, and we didn’t get into that.
Hey, you might be able help us solve a little mystery… Do you know where the water fountain was located?
As I said before, they call that “demolition by neglect.” Theoretically, the city’s building codes require that you maintain your buildings and don’t let them rot away and become blights in otherwise nice neighborhoods. But wonder of wonders, yet more government employees who either don’t do their jobs or bend the rules to benefit wealthy owners…
By the way, Ken, does the LA Times note that the roof had been leaking for quite a while and refused to fix it? That the Regency employees had jury-rigged tarps to catch water and funnel it to large trash containers? As well as government employees, I think we can add newspaper reporters to the list of people who are taking it easy on the job.
That’s one of the big motivators for preservation: if they let the building go and then the construction doesn’t happen (empty lot where the National stood in Westwood anyone?), you’re left with a huge eyesore in your neighborhood.
It’s also interesting that the owners say it’s no longer viable as a cinema since they had someone who was renting the space and programming it. As long as they were collecting rent, what do they care? The new owner of the NuWilshire in my neighborhood was hot to turn it into retail and got his way. Now the building stands empty and is starting to collect tags, damage, filth…
I just watched Silent Movie again with an eye toward comparing it to the theater we just toured. The name above the marquee resembled the one it had until recently, but I’ve never seen a photo of the Wilshire that had a ticket booth like that one. Also, they don’t show much of the auditorium, so it’s hard to place as well. But that lobby — the pillars are very identifiable, as well as the curved shape of the back wall, the stairs, and that side hall to what are now handicapped-accessible restrooms… that I feel confident about. The rest of it? Who knows?
In it, he talks about restoration work already done on the proscenium and auditorium, the entrance and marquee, and plans for future work. In particular, he details the thought processes in balancing an accurate restoration against the owners' wishes and modern tastes.
If you like Ed’s powerpoint presentations on the various theaters we’ve toured with our All About series, then you should enjoy this video (which incorporates recent photos with historic shots).
Well, Ken, we told you they were nice people! The etched glass is very tough to photograph during the day because it faces the front entrance and the greenish neon lighting it up from behind can’t compete with the daylight.
For an Insider’s Peek (#3) into the Saban, go to www.youtube.com/lahtf
Ed Kelsey, who puts our theater history presentations together, was also involved in the recent restoration work done on this building and talks a bit about the proscenium.
Does anyone know of other theaters that have been adaptively reused like this, with the original decorative elements of the theater visible to the public? I can think of a few LA examples, but would like a long list to take to the next city meeting. Thanks.
Very interesting in light of the fight over the Golden Gate in Los Angeles. CVS essentially wants to build a box within the building that will house the store (and presumably the historic elements of the building will be allowed to decay, unseen). Why not embrace the history and design of the building?
The LAHTF Insider’s Peek for the Saban (Fox Wilshire) is now up at www.youtube.com/lahtf; theater historian, manager and restoration expert Ed Kelsey talks a bit about the work done on the proscenium. Also shown is the new marquee with the new name. Ed actually gave me about 15 minutes worth of material covering all areas of the theater, and I’ll be putting a longer, more comprehensive video on the LAHTF channel soon.
Yes, everything else they fixed up, but not the marquee. I think they stabilized it (I saw guys climbing around on and in it), but didn’t clean it or drive away the pigeons roosting in it. I suppose they figured they’d see what the tenant/s wanted to do first. But of course there’s no one who wants the space. So it’s likely to just get worse and worse…
The owner refuses to fix the roof and Regency can’t afford to do it themselves. A friend involved in theater preservation called it “demolition by neglect.” There are still a lot of people interested in saving this theater, but they need to act. Someone from the Mid City Community Council posted details of a meeting on the Friends Of The Fairfax Theatres Facebook page, and apparently no one showed up. The developers were there, however, and had their way unopposed. It’s still not over though; there will be more meetings before this is a done deal.
The LA Times has reported that Regency asked to be let out of their lease, but this isn’t true. The owner refused to make repairs to the structure, and used that as an excuse to force Regency out. Regency has stated that they were happy with the theater’s performance and wanted to stay there. Now if the owner has his way the building will be empty for the two years it takes to work all the environmental impact reports, etc., out, all the while disintegrating from neglect, until the point where if the redevelopment doesn’t occur there will be nothing left to save. That’s being a good neighbor…
In case anyone is wondering, the party went well. Over a hundred people showed up, the Times and ABC 7 covered the event. And there was even a birthday cake…
No, that wasn’t last year. I volunteered for all six shows for the past two years and that wasn’t one of them. It has to be older than that.
Ken, I seem to remember that event happening in the past year or two.
Also, love your shot of the alley sign.
There will be a party tomorrow from noon to 12:30, Saturday, March 27th, out in front of the theater to show support for preservation efforts and to celebrate the theater’s 80th birthday.
The landmark nomination will be heard on April 1st.
Thanks for the info. I’ve seen that photo before, but couldn’t tell if that was the fountain or not. We even searched the walls looking for evidence of pipes, etc.
And I agree that it would be nice if they get this place restored. The plans that they presented at our event were very ambitious. For one thing, they talked about building a new floor in the auditorium so they would have stadium seating — but they would preserve the original walls.
Lands, thanks for the great post! My photos from that day are posted on Facebook at the Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation’s page. I don’t think you have to become a “fan” to look at them. The mural on the ceiling is still there, looking very good in fact. As for the cafeteria, I don’t know about that. It sounds like it would have been in the retail space on the side, and we didn’t get into that.
Hey, you might be able help us solve a little mystery… Do you know where the water fountain was located?
As I said before, they call that “demolition by neglect.” Theoretically, the city’s building codes require that you maintain your buildings and don’t let them rot away and become blights in otherwise nice neighborhoods. But wonder of wonders, yet more government employees who either don’t do their jobs or bend the rules to benefit wealthy owners…
By the way, Ken, does the LA Times note that the roof had been leaking for quite a while and refused to fix it? That the Regency employees had jury-rigged tarps to catch water and funnel it to large trash containers? As well as government employees, I think we can add newspaper reporters to the list of people who are taking it easy on the job.
That’s one of the big motivators for preservation: if they let the building go and then the construction doesn’t happen (empty lot where the National stood in Westwood anyone?), you’re left with a huge eyesore in your neighborhood.
It’s also interesting that the owners say it’s no longer viable as a cinema since they had someone who was renting the space and programming it. As long as they were collecting rent, what do they care? The new owner of the NuWilshire in my neighborhood was hot to turn it into retail and got his way. Now the building stands empty and is starting to collect tags, damage, filth…
I just watched Silent Movie again with an eye toward comparing it to the theater we just toured. The name above the marquee resembled the one it had until recently, but I’ve never seen a photo of the Wilshire that had a ticket booth like that one. Also, they don’t show much of the auditorium, so it’s hard to place as well. But that lobby — the pillars are very identifiable, as well as the curved shape of the back wall, the stairs, and that side hall to what are now handicapped-accessible restrooms… that I feel confident about. The rest of it? Who knows?
No trees to get in the way of the view.
Wow. I got to go inside today for a quick tour, and all I can say is… wow.
Here is Ed’s complete presentation on the Saban (Fox Wilshire).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45YsS6JKb-c
In it, he talks about restoration work already done on the proscenium and auditorium, the entrance and marquee, and plans for future work. In particular, he details the thought processes in balancing an accurate restoration against the owners' wishes and modern tastes.
If you like Ed’s powerpoint presentations on the various theaters we’ve toured with our All About series, then you should enjoy this video (which incorporates recent photos with historic shots).
Hope you see you on Saturday!
Well, Ken, we told you they were nice people! The etched glass is very tough to photograph during the day because it faces the front entrance and the greenish neon lighting it up from behind can’t compete with the daylight.
Really? It must be pretty gentle.
The Chinese has a flat screen, Terry.
The building is Island Style Galleries. Wyland is at 623 Duval across the street. Cowboy Bills is at 618 Duval. Function should be changed to gallery.
They wouldn’t have demolished this building; Duval is lined with historic buildings, and the islanders are pretty good about preserving them.
For an Insider’s Peek (#3) into the Saban, go to www.youtube.com/lahtf
Ed Kelsey, who puts our theater history presentations together, was also involved in the recent restoration work done on this building and talks a bit about the proscenium.
These are awesome, guys, thanks! And keep ‘em coming if anyone knows of more!
Does anyone know of other theaters that have been adaptively reused like this, with the original decorative elements of the theater visible to the public? I can think of a few LA examples, but would like a long list to take to the next city meeting. Thanks.
Very interesting in light of the fight over the Golden Gate in Los Angeles. CVS essentially wants to build a box within the building that will house the store (and presumably the historic elements of the building will be allowed to decay, unseen). Why not embrace the history and design of the building?
Ken, there are also photos in my video. Chuck1231 posted a link on 1/7/2010.
Damn! The ; should not be a part of the link above!
The LAHTF Insider’s Peek for the Saban (Fox Wilshire) is now up at www.youtube.com/lahtf; theater historian, manager and restoration expert Ed Kelsey talks a bit about the work done on the proscenium. Also shown is the new marquee with the new name. Ed actually gave me about 15 minutes worth of material covering all areas of the theater, and I’ll be putting a longer, more comprehensive video on the LAHTF channel soon.
Yes, everything else they fixed up, but not the marquee. I think they stabilized it (I saw guys climbing around on and in it), but didn’t clean it or drive away the pigeons roosting in it. I suppose they figured they’d see what the tenant/s wanted to do first. But of course there’s no one who wants the space. So it’s likely to just get worse and worse…
The owner refuses to fix the roof and Regency can’t afford to do it themselves. A friend involved in theater preservation called it “demolition by neglect.” There are still a lot of people interested in saving this theater, but they need to act. Someone from the Mid City Community Council posted details of a meeting on the Friends Of The Fairfax Theatres Facebook page, and apparently no one showed up. The developers were there, however, and had their way unopposed. It’s still not over though; there will be more meetings before this is a done deal.