These buildings enrich our history

My thanks to Steven Barrie-Anthony for detailing the fight to preserve the historic Ramona apartments (“Idyllic ... and Endangered,” June 24). So many of the Southland’s architectural gems, large and small, have been lost to the wrecking ball through shortsightedness and greed.

Why are we still having this conversation? The Ramona and buildings like it are living history, preserving a glimpse of a slower, gentler L.A. West Hollywood has plenty of uninspired late-20th century concrete apartments and condos. If developers want to knock something down, they should start there, with the unlovely, and leave the oases alone.

Zsa Zsa Gershick

North Hollywood

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I was impressed with the story by Steven Barrie-Anthony about the Ramona apartments. We have been trying to save two graceful 1930s triplexes for a year, but today I am the only resident, with my family, living in these “Wilkins Avenue Originals” in Westwood. The others have been frightened away, and their five units emptied. We await the wrecking ball.

A painting of a forgotten style that comes back into fashion can be brought up from the basement of a museum, but a demolished building is gone forever.

Martha Cowan

Westwood

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RE “A Hollywood Myth, and Reality Too” (June 24): Courtyard buildings, along with most older apartment buildings, should be preserved. One main reason this will not happen? City politics. I am a real estate investor who has renovated and developed apartments for 18 years. During that time, I have seen the rehabilitation and renovation laws watered down to the point that they are of no value.

Architecture can bring together a community and add value to people’s lives. Until politicians recognize that the laws they pass are destroying the fabric of our community and the buildings of our past, the beautiful architecture that made up Los Angeles will continue to be destroyed.

Steven Dersh

Los Angeles