Los Angeles Conservancy

Los Angeles Conservancy
Name	Los Angeles Conservancy
Founded	0 1978
Location	Los Angeles, California, United States
Focus	Historic preservation
Website	https://www.laconservancy.org/

Los Angeles Conservancy. The Los Angeles Conservancy is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to the preservation of historic buildings and neighborhoods in Los Angeles County. Founded in 1978 in response to the threatened demolition of the Central Library, it has grown into one of the nation's largest and most influential local preservation groups. The Conservancy advocates for the protection of architectural heritage through education, advocacy, and direct action, engaging with communities across the metropolitan region.

History

The organization was formed during a pivotal period for historic preservation in the United States, catalyzed by the proposed destruction of Bertram Goodhue's iconic Los Angeles Central Library in the late 1970s. This threat mobilized a coalition of citizens, architects, and historians, including influential figures like Robert A.M. Stern and local activists, who successfully campaigned to save the structure. Following this victory, the group formally incorporated and quickly turned its attention to other endangered sites, such as the Bradbury Building and the Art Deco Eastern Columbia Building in Downtown Los Angeles. Over the decades, the Conservancy has played a critical role in shaping the city's preservation policies, often challenging large-scale development projects proposed by entities like the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles and major real estate developers.

Mission and activities

The core mission is to recognize, preserve, and revitalize the historic architectural and cultural resources of Los Angeles County. Key activities include operating a popular walking tour program that highlights districts like Hollywood, Downtown Los Angeles, and Pasadena, focusing on styles from Streamline Moderne to Mid-century modern architecture. The Conservancy also conducts extensive educational outreach through lectures, its "Last Remaining Seats" classic film series at historic theaters like the Los Angeles Theatre, and advocacy training workshops. It maintains a comprehensive online resource, the "Historic Places LA" database, and provides technical assistance to property owners and the Los Angeles City Council.

Advocacy and preservation efforts

Advocacy efforts involve direct intervention in cases before the Los Angeles City Planning Commission and the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission to secure official designations like Historic-Cultural Monument status. The Conservancy has led high-profile campaigns to protect structures such as the Theme Building at Los Angeles International Airport, the Capitol Records Building, and the Pan Pacific Auditorium site. It frequently engages in legal advocacy, filing lawsuits or supporting litigation under the California Environmental Quality Act to ensure proper review of projects impacting historic resources. The organization also partners with groups like the National Trust for Historic Preservation and local neighborhood councils to oppose demolitions in areas like West Adams and Boyle Heights.

Key properties and landmarks

Through advocacy and owner collaboration, the Conservancy has been instrumental in the preservation of hundreds of significant properties. These include masterpieces like the Hollywood Bowl, the Griffith Observatory, and the Watts Towers. It has championed the adaptive reuse of historic commercial buildings, such as the Oviatt Building and the May Company Building now housing the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Other landmark successes include the restoration of Union Station, the protection of Googie architecture like Johnie's Coffee Shop, and ensuring the conservation of residential enclaves such as West Hollywood's Norma Triangle and the Stimson House in Los Feliz.

Organization and leadership

The Conservancy is governed by a Board of Directors composed of community leaders, preservation professionals, and attorneys, with operational management led by an Executive director. It relies on a professional staff specializing in advocacy, education, and fundraising, supported by a large corps of dedicated volunteers and docents. Funding is derived from membership dues, contributions from foundations like the Getty Foundation, proceeds from tours and events, and grants from public agencies such as the California Office of Historic Preservation. The organization maintains its headquarters in the historic Bradbury Building in Downtown Los Angeles.

Awards and recognition

The Conservancy's work has been honored with numerous awards, including the National Trust for Historic Preservation's National Preservation Award and the California Preservation Foundation's Preservation Design Award. It has also received commendations from the Los Angeles City Council and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for specific campaigns. Individual staff and board members have been recognized by entities like the American Institute of Architects and the Society of Architectural Historians for their contributions to the field. The organization's innovative educational programs, particularly its youth initiatives, have received awards from cultural institutions like the Los Angeles Public Library.

Category:Organizations based in Los Angeles Category:Historic preservation organizations in California Category:Non-profit organizations based in California Category:1978 establishments in California