Covering the Waterfront for Home Styles
Summer is a marvelous time for strolling along the beach, a time while dodging volleyballs to watch the waves roll in and swimmers drift out.
And for those like myself who are interested in architectural styles somewhat more stable than sand castles, a stroll these days along the Manhattan Beach oceanfront can be particularly diverting.
With a broad beach overlooked by a compact cluster of houses marching inland up narrow streets and alleys, and a low-scaled, low-keyed business district, Manhattan Beach exudes a seaside spirit that makes every day seem a vacation day.
It is no wonder that the town long has been a favorite of families who like to walk from hearth to surf barefooted, as well as the more conspicuous singles in search of deep tans and relationships.
These diverse, beach-oriented life styles are reflected in the architecture along The Strand, which in effect is the town’s main street and a pedestrian delight stretching from 45th Street and the enclave of El Porto south to First Street and Redondo Beach.
Always looking for an excuse to go to Manhattan Beach, where I have family and was married, I recently took a walk along The Strand to view the more recently constructed, modern-styled houses there.
The nicely weathered, clean-lined, cedar-sided, purple-detailed house at 4300 was designed by Barton Choy.
A similarly scaled and wraped house two blocks south at 4100 was designed by John Blanton, who has been practicing in Manhattan Beach with distinction for more than 20 years. Note the rhythm the pattern of windows lend the facade. This is a trademark of Blanton’s, who began his career working under modernist master Richard Neutra.
Less apparent is the care that obviously went into the selection of materials and the careful cladding of 4100. Because of the constant battering of the houses by salt air and windblown sand, Blanton prefers the more resistant cedar shingling and specially treated window frame.
At 3318-20 is a modern-styled post-and-beam delight designed by Edward Fickett. The house is an excellent example of the popular 1960s style, sited and constructed with sensitivity.
A few steps south at 3300 is a polished example by Tim Smith of the currently popular updated rendition of the Mediterranean villa style, replete with arches and toned in a subtle white and pinks. Less subtle is the window detailing.
There had been a well-scaled, graceful Spanish modern-styled house at 2920, but it is gone now in the current “rip-em-down and overbuild-em” craze along The Strand, a disease that recently drifted down to Manhattan Beach from Santa Monica. One looks at what is being framed at 2920 with some apprehension.
Determinedly modern is the house at 2820 designed by Mark Appell and marked by round windows and a curved balcony. Somewhat softer and engaging is the gray stucco, red iron-railed house at 116-118 20th St., designed by Martin Sapetto. The rounded glass-block bays and the rough stone-based retaining wall are nicely detailed, which makes the sliding doors on the facade just that much more awkward.
One of the more handsome modern-styled structures to rise on The Strand in recent years is 1900. Designed by Robert Marx, the angled house looks like a sleek, stucco cruiser, about to be launched. To appreciate the detailing of 1900 even more, just contrast it to the modern-styled, three-story, badly detailed structure a few steps to the south.
Up 17th Street, at 209, is another Blanton-designed structure. Once again his placement and detailing of windows lend the building grace.
Certainly the most dramatic structure rising on The Strand these days is at 1600. Designed with a futuristic flair by Ray Kappe and Dean Nota, the building is marked by a sweeping, curved balcony and curved walls, presenting an interesting fusing of forms. When completed I would not be surprised if it somehow broke away from its granite steps and floated away on a cloud.
There also is along and just off The Strand a varied display of other Modern-styled houses, along with some strange structural and stylistic hybrids, a few cute, and a few overly cute Victorians, and a half dozen or so misplaced weathered ranch and fraternity houses. Comment on these will just have to await another column.
Also along The Strand are a selection of Cape Cod and Colonial styled structures that seem to have somehow drifted off of the New England coast, down the Atlantic Ocean and up the Pacific, to settle in Manhattan Beach.
Given the ambiance of this beach town, you can hardly blame them, or anyone, for making the trip.
