Sunday, December 14, 2008

Ravenswood: Mae West Territory

Ravenswood

Ravenswood has always been a star attraction of the Rossmore corridor, and attracted multiple starlets to its hallways, including Ava Gardner and Mae West. When Mae West moved into unit #611 the men, the booze, and the shenanigans would follow. When her neighbors complained, she bought the building and tossed them out, filling it instead with heathens and lovers. She lived there until she died in 1980.

Ravenswood

Ravenswood was built in 1930 by architect Max Maltman and remains an exceptional art deco mammoth. Its size and the narrowness of Rossmore made it difficult to get a decent photo. So I took a page from Mae West's diary and had an adventure with a stranger. On a rooftop.

This is Geoffrey, jazz singer:

Ravenswood

We met on the street, and he escorted me up seven flights of stairs to the rooftop accross from Ravenswood. We climbed up ladders and stood at the top of Hancock Park with an incredible view in each direction. The sea of palms stretched out to the West like a tropical Central Park and I could see a ribbon of silver Pacific. In the end, I scrambled up another ladder, and dangled over the edge of a mansard roof to get the picture at the top of this post.
Have an adventure today. Have one every day. Meet strangers on rooftops.
Drive by Ravenswood at 570 North Rossmore.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Christmas Update Special: Youngwood Court

Youngwood Court

Christmas has come to the House of Davids (Youngwood Court). I saw the Porsche-washing guy from last time decorating Mr. and Mrs. Claus in the front yard. I took the opportunity to ask him about the crazy lady who pursued me after my first round of photography. He didn't know anything about her and denied that she was a neighbor.
Drive by 304 Muirfield Rd on the corner of 3rd St in Hancock Park.

Youngwood Court

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

La Fontaine

La Fontaine

La Fontaine with it's sedate brick, hipped roof and manicured garden always reminds me of a friend's chateau in Normandy. The profusion of pseudo-French architecture in LA began when WWI soldiers returned stateside and started building replicas of chateaux they had seen in Europe.
Built around 1930 by architect Leland Bryant (also responsible for the Sunset Tower Hotel), it became an historic landmark in 2002. A succession of comedians have inhabited La Fontaine: Steve Martin, John Belushi, and Dane Cook, who was recently evicted for letting his dog defecate in the garden. He's gone now, so feel free to pursue an apartment (around $5,200/month).
La Fontaine at 1285 Crescent Heights Blvd on the SW corner of Fountain in West Hollywood.

La Fontaine

Monday, December 8, 2008

El Mirador

El Mirador

El Mirador was built in 1929 by architect S. Charles Lee, who is widely recognized for his deco movie theatres, like the Alex in Glendale. While I was there I met Dave, a three-year resident looking good in his tank top, who gave me some details on the property. You could make the small sacrifice of A/C and a dishwasher for decorated ceiling beams and tons of built-ins, right? I don't know... moving in to El Mirador pretty much makes you a starlet by next weekend.

Drive by El Mirador: 1302 +1310 (side entrance) Sweetzer Ave, on the NE corner of Fountain Ave.

La Mirador

The original street elevation photo from Mott Studios.

El Mirador

El Mirador