Ravenswood: Mae West Territory

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 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:



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.

Christmas Update Special: 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.

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.

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.



The original street elevation photo from Mott Studios.

El Bordello Alexandra

El Bordello Alexandra reminds me of the House of Davids in Hancock Park, the owners share an affinity for mass produced statuary. The pantheon of mythological figures frolicking on the roof and Western wall are relatively new additions, but the gargoyles and the paintings have been there for years. Get out of your car and walk by 20 Westminster Ave in Venice, between Pacific and the ocean.



I called Brian Mylius, who can still be reached at 310.621.7444 (in case you're interested in having him paint your next home, or 80's shag van). He is, apparently, a boardwalk staple (click his name to see his portrait by Perpetually on Flickr). He didn't return my calls.

Bladerunner Door

This entry is straight out of one of the downtown scenes in Bladerunner. Also popular with photographers as a background for headshots. Behind the door is Yerkovich Productions, last responsible for a short-lived 2001 TV show called Big Apple. They should move out and I should move in. I'm desperate for custom doors with serious retro-futuristic security systems.
Check it out at 46 Market St in Venice between Ocean Front Walk and Pacific Ave.



PS- Thanks to all lovely ladies & gents reading Hot Words at March AFB.

Drive-by Architecture: Youngwood Court

I used to call this the House of the Davids, but now I can be more precise: there are 18 Davids lining the U-shaped driveway. And it has a proper name: Youngwood Court. I always imagined the owners were drug lords circa Miami 1986. While I was there, a youngish guy came out and started washing his Porsche, so I asked him if it was alright to take some pictures of the house. He said it was cool, go ahead. I took four, counted the Davids and left. Two left turns later, I was at a stoplight when a mad black woman tapped on my window with her gold rings. I'd seen her get into her black SUV when I pulled away from Youngwood Court, but now she was right here, demanding that I roll down my window and tell her who I was.
"Why are you taking pictures of that house?"
She seemed like she had a lot of authority. And that if I drove away, she might follow me.
"I write a blog about things to drive by around town."
"I want your business card. What's your name?"
"I'm working on the business card situation, actually." And then, "Wait, who are you?"
"Why are you taking pictures of my neighbor's house? What's your name?"
"Erin."
"What's the name of your blog?"
"Hot Words."
"OK, then. Alright."



To see Youngwood Court for yourself, drive-by 304 Muirfield Rd at 3rd St, it's on the SE corner. Just don't take any pictures.

Drive-by Architecture: Cloverdale

Another deco building by CJ Smale that quietly makes a spectacle of itself. I talked to Philippe (or maybe he said Flip), a resident, who assured me that the apartments are really spacious with high ceilings. Built in 1930, it's been Historic Cultural Monument no 427 since 1989. The penthouse used to be Fred Astaire's dance studio.
Drive South on Cloverdale from 3rd St (one way) to see 364 South Cloverdale Ave.

Drive-by Architecture: 4th + La Brea

From the corner, this building doesn't shine. The ground floor houses a fabric boutique that never interested me. But the ornate side entrance is surprising and romantic. Upon further investigation- my dream of a baroque suite of second story apartments dissipated when I saw the intercom nameplates: Caraventa Inc, Lone Post Inc, Modstar. Great location for a romantic comedy.
Look for Silk Trading Co at 360 S LaBrea, but the door to the office space (for rent!) is 5619 W 4th St.

Village and Isle: 2 for 1

Isle of California (1972) has faded over the years but it's still brilliant and relevant. The LA Fine Arts Squad is responsible: Victor Henderson, Terry Schoonhoven, and Jim Frazin. Find it on the back wall of the Masonic Temple (built in 1922) at 1616 Butler Ave on the corner of Santa Monica Blvd in West LA. The best approach is to take Butler north toward the blvd.
This site has a perfectly adequate list of public art in LA, but check here for street art.

I used to live around the corner and after months of speculation about what went on at The Village, behind the green doors with the telephone box (speakeasy? Eyes Wide Shut sanctum?), one day I saw a sign in the parking lot designating the prime spot for Meat Loaf. Then I realized it was a recording studio. Yesterday, there was a group of engineers standing around outside smoking, who informed me that everyone from the Stones to Ry Cooder to The Shins recorded there.

Drive-by Architecture: Highland

I was instantly attracted to the geometric moldings on the second story of this textile mill at 900 North Highland Ave at Willoughby.

Drive-by Architecture: Waring + Sweetzer

This vaguely Moroccan triplex (with parking) is a few blocks away from this gem I've had my eye on for a while. I heard a rumor from friends who live nearby that there's a dungeon in the unit on the corner. Cruise by 8301 Waring Ave at Sweetzer in West Hollywood.

If home was only Val d'Amour

Val d'Amour apartments were built in 1928 by CW Powers and given historical monument status in 2006. I love the facade and the figures along the parapet. Drive by 854 South Oxford Ave at James M Wood in Koreatown.

Drive-by Architecture: Western + 3rd

This frankenstein building makes me cringe a little. I try to ignore the glass block entrance and focus on the molding of the facade. It's a little gaudy, a little bordello, but it commands attention. Drive South on Western and make a right on 3rd to get the full view of 4357 W 3rd St at Western.



The fruit vendor outside:

Drive-by Architecture: Mansfield

I drive by this amazing duplex on the NW corner of Mansfield Ave and 3rd St and dream about living on the top floor in a rambling paneled apartment. I also love the garage and the pattern of the stained glass windows. 269 and 267 South Mansfield Ave. As always, there are more pictures on Flickr.

Drive-by Architecture: the Smith House

Another white deco jewel by architect CJ Smale at 191 Hudson Ave at 2nd St in Hancock Park. Built in 1929-1930. Check out amazing stained glass window and gated carport.