Reprieve for Studio City Structure : Landmark Holds Off Wreckers

The Los Angeles City Council has given the Laurelwood Apartments, an architectural landmark in Studio City, a reprieve of another six months from the wrecker.

The apartment complex, designed in 1948, is regarded as one of the important works of noted Southern California architect Rudolph M. Schindler. It has been the object of a running battle for more than five years between past and present owners, who have wanted to demolish it and replace it with more profitable condominiums, and residents and preservationists, who want it saved for its value to cultural history.

The council, acting on a recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Committee, voted last week to order the Building and Safety Department not to issue a demolition permit for the building for at least 180 days. The building was previously protected by an order of the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission, which expires this month.

Kathryn O’Laughlin, co-chairman of the Save Laurelwood Schindler Committee, credited Councilman Joel Wachs, who represents the area, with obtaining the extension.

Schindler died in 1953 after designing Southern California buildings for more than 30 years. The 22-unit Laurelwood complex, consisting of two buildings at 11833 and 11837 Laurelwood Drive overlooking Ventura Boulevard, is regarded as one of his best examples of unobtrusive hillside development.

Declared Historic Landmark

It was declared a Los Angeles Cultural Historic Landmark in 1980. The distinction makes it more difficult to demolish a building but does not preserve it indefinitely if the owner wishes to destroy it.

The owner, Steve Hartunian, president of Empire Properties of Sherman Oaks, has been trying to replace the building he purchased in 1984. He has said that he has tried to find a preservation-minded buyer, but that none would meet his price of $2.5 million.

The Los Angeles Conservancy, a preservationist group allied with the tenants’ committee, has said that prospective buyers have offered a maximum of $1.5 million.

O’Laughlin said Tuesday that the conservancy is working on an alternate plan that would provide for the demolition and replacement of a third, non-Schindler, building on the property, while preserving the other two structures.