Another Architectural Travesty?

The city of Newport Beach is famous for many things — ocean view golf courses, popular beaches, valuable real estate, to name just a few. But, if one were to declare it famous for its architecture, such a claim might not be so easy to support. Yet, the city can claim within its boundaries, two historically significant architectural “gems,” designed by two world renowned master architects.

The first structure is the Lovell Beach House, designed in 1925 by Viennese / Southern Californian architect, Rudolph Schindler. To this day, some 80 years after its construction, the Lovell Beach House continues to be one of the world’s most famous Schindler structures. Great appreciation should be extended to its current owners for taking such good care of it for the world’s enjoyment and its continued architectural inspiration. Special gratitude should also be extended to these owners for not leveling and replacing it with an over-built “Tuscan beach villa” and turning a hefty profit. Thank you! We who appreciate great architecture are eternally grateful.

I am afraid the same cannot be said of the second structure if the present owners have their way. The second structure is the Mariners Medical Arts office complex designed by fellow Viennese / Southern Californian architect, Richard Neutra in 1963. Neutra’s residential masterpiece, the Kaufman Desert House was recently offered at auction for an amount in the $15 million to $20 million range. Thus, it is clear Neutra’s structures are extremely valuable and highly sought after. The Orange County chapter of the American Institute of Architects recently listed the Mariners Medical Arts office complex as being one of the most significant structures in Orange County and awarded it the Architect’s 25 Year Award in 2002. In 1977, Richard Neutra was also posthumously awarded by the American Institute of Architects its highest award of recognition, the Gold Medal. But, life is full of contradictions. Either the present owners don’t fully understand what a great building complex they have on their hands or they just don’t care because, it’s not meeting their profit margin for the lot area. I hope it’s not the latter. I walked around it just the other day. I’m lucky! I live about 10 minutes away in neighboring Costa Mesa; my kids went to an orthodontist in the complex. I loved going to the orthodontist (my kids didn’t but, I sure did). It just makes you feel great walking among the buildings that were created, composed and articulated by such an architectural master.

“I consider this the BEST example of this kind of project the practice did during its heyday. It would be a tragedy if this example were lost. Instead it should be rehabbed and brought back to its earlier glory replete with the water features, etc.,” said Dion Neutra, RichardNeutra’s son and practice partner.

The present owners have slated in a first phase development a new two-story office building in the complex’s existing nestled rear parking lot. This lone proposed structure (a typical office “box”) will, in and of it self, ruin the articulation of space, structure and natural light so elegantly composed by Neutra. Unfortunately, this architectural cancer is only the first phase and it gives me a stomachache to report that the owners have city approval as well as an open building permit, which means they could begin construction any time, unless they have a change of heart or the city of Newport Beach realizes the gravity of the situation and reevaluates in a more sensitive manner the future of this Historical Inventory-listed structure. Hopefully it’s not too late and the owners will realize what an architectural travesty their proposed project would be and switch direction. Please change course!

“Phase 2” calls for demolishing two of the three buildings and replacing them with a parking structure. I can’t help thinking of Joni Mitchell’s lyrics; “Paved paradise to put up a parking lot.” There has to be a better way! “Phase 3” demolishes the remaining existing orphaned structure, replacing it with a new office “box” to be added with its “conjoined twin”, built in Phase 1, thus concluding the decimation of a true architectural symphony, never to be experienced again, ever.

Want to help? Voice your opinion in support of saving the Mariners Medical Arts complex and promoting its restoration for future generations to appreciate and experience as it was designed.

Contact the following city of Newport Beach Planning Department officials:

David Lepo, planning director dlepo@city.newport-beach.ca.us (949) 644-3228

James Campbell, senior planner jcampbell@city.newport-beach.ca.us (949) 644-3210