Hollywood Heritage continues its role as the lead group in the preservation of the historic buildings of Hollywood. Our role as custodian of the Wattles Mansion and the Barn (Hollywood Heritage Museum) is being expanded through a recent agreement with TrizecHahn for Hollywood Heritage to act as the intermediary for the preservation and reuse of the façade of the “Tile Shop” located at 1763-1767 North Highland Avenue.
Originally constructed in 1932 as 3 storefronts in a one story commercial structure of a type referred to as “ one part commercial block” This building type is defined by architectural historian Richard Longstreth as “a simple box with a decorated façade and thoroughly urban overtones”. It is this decorated façade with its colorful art deco tile and ornamental grillwork that Hollywood Heritage is endeavoring to save.
The structure was originally slated for demolition to
facilitate access to the new Hotel as part of the Hollywood /
Highland development. While many people drive past the building on a daily
basis fail to see the historic tilework and remaining fabric beneath the
current garish signs, Hollywood Heritage and Historic Resources Group, as a
consultant to TrizecHahn, recognized the importance of this as one of the few
remaining commercial structures of its type along the northern portion of
Highland Avenue.
The east façade is delineated by three Art Deco tiled pilasters laid in a geometric pattern typical of the Deco style. Researchers at Historic Resources Group have described the tile work as “ Rising from a base of navy blue, the sea green shaft is highlighted by 2 thin vertical bands of royal blue. Thin orange chevrons repeat in a vertical pattern. A series of thin orange vertical bands across a background of sea green cap the pilaster. The navy blue tile of the pediment base continues beneath the storefront windows. A horizontal band of iron grillwork decorates the transom above the south storefront windows.” An additional section of grillwork has been relocated to the rear of the building.
Over the course of its history the building has housed numerous retail tenants, but many residents remember it most as a previous location for a Hollywood Post Office.
Under the agreement with Trizec-Hahn, the façade pilasters, bulkhead base and ornamental iron work will be dismantled and put in storage prior to the demolition of the remaining brick box. Over the course of the next year, Hollywood Heritage will continue to conduct an active search for a new home for the salvaged pieces. Measuring approximately 50 feet in width, the salvaged façade may be modified to accommodate a new location in Hollywood. The pilasters, currently constructed for the sloped profile of Highland Avenue may be modified to accommodate a level site as may be found on the Boulevard.
The Board of Hollywood Heritage actively solicits its members to forward any ideas for potential relocations opportunities. We also encourage as many property owners in the Hollywood Historic District as possible to walk by the façade and consider opportunities to relocate and reuse the façade as part of any proposed new development or façade improvement project.