West C of C Makes Beautification Awards : Restored Wiltern Theatre, Fox Plaza in Century City, Capture Top Honors

The venerable Wiltern Theatre, saved from demolition, restored and assured of continued use as a performing arts center, was awarded the annual Landmark Award of the Los Angeles West Chamber of Commerce at its annual beautification awards luncheon at the Hotel Bel-Air.

Completed in 1931, the green, terra-cotta Art Deco building at Wilshire Boulevard and Western Avenue was saved 50 years later by Wayne Ratkovich, a developer and builder whose initiative helped stop the “tear-down and build-a-parking-lot” attitude that had existed for so long throughout Los Angeles.

The Ratkovich Co. now owns the opulent 12-story property, designed by Stiles O. Clements, and among the firm’s other efforts are the restoration of the Oviatt Building and its Rex restaurant at 617 S. Olive St.

The Landmark award and two other principal presentations highlighted the program, which cites new and remodeled projects and landscaping efforts of structures from “City Hall to the Sea.”

Received Tamkin Award

The new Fox Plaza, a 34-story prism-like office tower of faceted design, received the Jeffrey Tamkin Award as the city’s outstanding new commercial project.

Pereira Associates designed the contemporary Moderne building and Al Cohen Construction Co. was the contractor for the owners, Miller-Klutznick-Davis Co. and 20th Century Fox Film Corp., at 2121 Avenue of the Stars.

The newly established Alan Casden Award for the best new multifamily residential project went to Fred Johnson, owner of a such a project at 15500 Sunset Blvd., designed by VCA/Randy Washington Group and built by Johnson. Casden heads CoastFed Properties, the leader among Southland apartment builders last year.

Pereira Associates, headed by R. Scott Johnson, and Galper/Baldon Associates, landscape architects, each won three top honors.

Principal Participants

Principal participants in the program included Councilman Zev Yaroslavsky, Cyril Chern, president of the Los Angeles chapter, American Institute of Architects; Everett Ascher, chairman of the chamber’s board of directors; Dori Pye, chamber president.

Also, Carl Terzian, master of ceremonies; Sid Galper, landscape architect, and James Porter, architect, as program narrators; Wil Smolen, representing Alan Casden; Jennifer Palacio, representing Jeffrey Tamkin, and Dick Turpin, Times real estate editor.

Other Winners and Categories:

COMMERCIAL New Commercial High Rise The Fox Plaza, 2121 Avenue of the Stars.

Owner: Miller, Klutznick, Davis, Gray Co. and

20th Century Fox Film Corp.

Architect: Pereira Associates.

Contractor: Al Cohen Construction Co.

New Commercial Low Rise Wilshire Doheny Office Building, 9090 Wilshire Blvd.

Owner: CoastFed Properties.

Architect: Welton Becket Associates.

Contractor: Keller Construction.

New Institutional Project Centinela Hospital Airport Medical Clinic, 9601 South Sepulveda Blvd.

Owner: Centinela Hospital Medical.

Architect: Parkin Architects.

Contractor: Jones Brothers Construction.

REMODELED COMMERCIAL Remodeled Community Project Vitalize Fairfax Project, 300-500 N. Fairfax Ave.

Owner: 17 property owners.

Architect: Thirtieth Street Architects and

Sternberg and Associates.

Contractor: East Coast Builders.

Remodeled Low Rise 1001 Gayley Building, 1001 Gayley Ave.

Owner: DMG Ltd.

Architect: Richard Magee & Associates and

the Jerde Partnership.

Contractor: Weston/Lusk.

Remodeled Institutional Project U.S. Post Office Facility, 11th Street and Colorado Ave., Santa Monica.

Owner: Richlar Partnership/Larry Field.

Architect: Matlin-Dvoretzky Architects.

Contractor: Breton Construction.

RESIDENTIAL New Single-Family Residence The Jenny Residence, Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu.

Owner: Ron and Jane Jenny.

Architect: Ron Goldman.

Contractor: Ron Jenny.

Remodeled Single-Family Residence The Gold Residence, Berkeley Street, Santa Monica.

Owner: Ralph and Heather Gold.

Architect: Meier, Schumacher & Associates.

Contractor: Lewis Construction.

New Multifamily Residence 15500 Sunset, 15500 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades.

Owner: Fred Johnson.

Architect: VCA/Randy Washington Group.

Contractor: Fred Johnson.

Remodeled Multifamily Residence Park Wellington, 1131 Alta Loma Road, West Hollywood.

Owner: Troy Investment Fund.

Architect: Pereira Associates.

Contractor: Troy Investment Fund.

COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPING New Commercial Landscaping California Plaza/MOCA, 250-300 S. Grand Ave.

Owner: Bunker Hill Associates.

Architect: POD Inc.

Contractor: Valley Crest.

Remodeled Commercial Landscaping Hillcrest Country Club.

Landscape Architect: Galper/Baldon Associates.

Contractor: ABC Lawn Sprinkler Co.

RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPING Remodeled Residential Landscaping The Mow Residence, North Rockingham Avenue, Brentwood.

Owner: Dr. and Mrs. William Mow.

Landscape Architect: Galper/Baldon Associates.

New Residential Landscaping (Multi) Park Place Phase I, 10101 Galaxy Way, Century City.

Owner: Watt Luxury Housing.

Landscape Architect: Galper/Baldon Associates.

Contractor: Valley Crest.

New Residential Landscaping. (Single) Residence (Unidentified).

Landscape Architect: Raymond Hansen Associates.

Contractor: Raymond Hansen Associates.