PALOS VERDES ESTATES : Historic Status Sought for Malaga Cove Library

Residents are hoping to convince federal officials that the Malaga Cove Library, with its white-stucco walls, red-tile roof and square tower, has special historic significance.

The Malaga Cove Library Neighborhood Planning Committee, in an application to federal officials, says the 1929 Mediterranean Revival-style library is a prime example of work by architect Myron Hunt.

“Myron Hunt’s buildings throughout Southern California are the epitome of what was popularly viewed as California architecture,” according to the application to the National Register of Historic Places.

Hunt, the application says, also designed the Huntington Hotel in Pasadena and the campus of Occidental College.

County and state historical commissions have already agreed that the building deserves to be listed on the national register.

The State Historic Preservation Commission has forwarded the application to Washington and expects a decision by early May, said Marci Breisacher, the state commission’s recording secretary.

Nancy Mahr, spokeswoman for the library district, said if the building is designated a historic monument, any major changes would require approval from the state historic commission.

“We could not take off a big chunk and make it modern,” Mahr said.