The Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission voted unanimously on April 8 to
consider whether the Fairfax Theatre should be designated a cultural historic
landmark.
The decision is the first step in the designation process for the theatre, located at
the corner of Beverly Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue. The five-member cultural
heritage commission and officials from city’s Office of Historic Resources will
now tour the theatre and hold another hearing at a later date to decide whether
the theatre should be designated a historic resource. The date of the on-site tour
and additional hearing have not yet been set, but the tour will likely take place
during the first week of May, and the hearing will occur either on May 20 or June
3, according to Edgar Garcia, preservation planner for the Office of Historic
Resources.
The owner of the building that houses the Fairfax Theatre plans to convert the
structure into a 71-unit condominium complex and retail space. According to Ira
Handelman, who represents the building’s owner, Alex Gorby, the goal is to
revitalize the corner by creating a residential and retail complex. The Fairfax
Theatre has been closed since January after rains caused the ceiling to partially
collapse. Regency Theatres, which operated the Fairfax Theatre, has announced
that it will not be reopeing the venue.
A group known as the Friends of the Fairfax Theatre, which is comprised of local
residents and preservation organizations, filed the application with the city to
have it considered as a cultural landmark. Mitzi Mogul, president of the Los
Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation, one of the groups comprising the Friends
of the Fairfax Theatre, said she is optimistic the cultural heritage commission will
designate the theatre as a landmark. The Friends of the Fairfax Theatre contend
that the theatre is historically significant because it is one of the last remaining
examples of a neighborhood theatre, it was built in a distinct art deco
architectural style, and that it was once a center of the Los Angeles’ Jewish
community. While films were always shown at the theatre, which was built in
1929, it was also used for live theatrical productions and orchestral concerts, and
was a gathering place for Jews during the years prior and during World War II.
“I was delighted with the commission’s decision, because it is the first step, and I
believe we will prevail,” Mogul said. “It has been part of the fabric of that
community for the past 80 years.”
Handelman said the decision to consider the theatre as a historic landmark is not
a setback, and added that he is confident the commission will not approve the
designation. The plan for the condominium complex includes the preservation of
the theatre’s art deco façade.
“We don’t believe that the architectural elements meet the standards for the
designation,” Handelman said. “We respect the process and we believe after they
do this tour and the evaluation, there is a better than even chance that the that it
will not be designated.”
Garcia said the five-member commission will take several factors into
consideration, including the condition of the theatre’s exterior and auditorium.
He said commission will examine the original features that remain. The theatre
was converted into a triplex in the 1980s, but the Friends of the Fairfax Theatre
contend that much of the original features remain, including a stage and the
mechanical equipment used for moving props.
Garcia said a staff report will be compiled after the on-site tour of the theatre,
and that pubic comment is welcome. For information, visit
www.preservation.lacity.org.