1940s Apartment Complex Wins Landmark Status

The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved designating the 1940s-era Chase Knolls Apartments a historic cultural monument, drawing applause Tuesday from more than 100 residents and supporters attending the hearing.

Listing the Sherman Oaks complex as a monument, however, grants it only temporary protection. Chase Knolls’ owners could still proceed with plans to demolish the building, but must first complete an environmental impact report. Council members were quick to caution residents that they have no guarantee they will remain as tenants.

That didn’t dampen the spirits of supporters.

“I’m thrilled,” said Mary Jane Atkins, a tenant who helped rally neighbors. “The community banding together works. It’s a special place, and more of them should be saved.”

Legacy Partners, an Irvine company that bought the 260-unit complex in January, planned to tear it down to build luxury apartments.

“This property, Chase Knolls, is at best marginally worthy of historic designation,” said Dennis Cavallari, senior vice president.

Cavallari said his company offered residents $15,000 each to relocate, and so far the company had spent more than $1 million. Of 98 senior citizens who are tenants, he said, 80 have relocated.

The council’s vote on Chase Knolls was unusual. The Cultural Heritage Commission had deadlocked on a decision twice. Without a recommendation from the commission, the votes of 10 of the council’s 15 members were required to approve the application.

Legacy’s two architecture experts told the council that Chase Knolls was not a significant example of the garden city style--an architectural movement that designed living units around open, garden areas.

“We all know the truth. The reality and legality of this is, even if this is designated historical, Legacy still has the legal right to proceed with relocation of every tenant,” said Benjamin Reznik, Legacy’s attorney.

Kenneth Bernstein, director of preservation issues for the Los Angeles Conservancy, said Chase Knolls, with its spare style, was worthy of protection.

Residents of Chase Knolls and other supporters stood up during one portion of the hearing, many wearing white stickers emblazoned with “Chase Knolls--A Working Class Monument” or “Preserve the Past, Protect the Future, Save Chase Knolls.”

Preservationists introduced actress Penny Singleton, 92, who lived until last year in one of the apartments.

Singleton, who played “Blondie” in more than 20 films, urged council members to grant the apartments the monument status. “By preserving Chase Knolls, you preserve a community of time gone by, where neighbors know neighbors,” she said.