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G L B Properties
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The 1920s, 30s and 40s
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What better defines a city
than the combination of it's population, diverse culture's, industries, geography, weather and of course, the architecture...and
Los Angeles sure represents one of the most unique combinations of these attributes.
L.A. Style: Nothing symbolizes Southern California
than cruising around in a unique classic convertible and living in a great early 20th century old Hollywood-sytle restored
property!
Unique Details, Quirkiness & Beauty of 1920s, 30s & Pre-War Properties in Southern California
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The 1920s
(shown above: Typical 1920s
Spanish Style with 'sloppy-set' Red Tile Roofs, smooth stucco, deep set windows, wrought iron, hand-carved wood beams,
towering palm trees and sinple, but strong design elements)
The most popular 'Look of the Day' in the 20s
was primarily a local hybrid Spanish Revival style of architecture. Apartments and homes tended to be built in traditional
hacieneda style, embracing the outdoors and it's immediate surroundings...the California courtyard apartment-style was
born.
We
have great weather...and in some cases, great views, so why not take advantage of that.
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 The 1930s Era
By the early to mid 30s, the
post depression-era, the look went more upscale and elegant, probably to reflect the mood of the people wanting to forget
the hard times of the post-crash days.
The popular architectural style du jour moved away from the Spanish influence and towards French...really another
hybrid of a Southern California interpretation.
this style was usually Chateau or Normand with high pitched roofs, sometimes turrets,
stained glass, bay windows and smooth stucco finishes accented by cast filigree or qoins (faux corner stones).
Actually, other styles were
catching on including Egyption, Craftsman (aka Japo-Swiss) and the early beginnings of current modern and streamline influences
from the Bauhaus style (including Art Deco and Moderne).
some of L.A.'s architects and designers of this era included Schindler, Neutra, Paul
Williams, Frank Lloyd Wright and even the silent film star, Charlie Chaplin.
The Craftsman Style (popularized by such architects as Greene &
Greene) got it's start in the early 20th Century, brought us a refined use of woods, Swiss Chalet details (roofs for example),
mica lighting and the great Batchelder tiles, all so sought after today.
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 The 1940s and Pre-War Era
By the early 40s, L.A. was
settling, maturing and comfortable with it's wealth, prosperity and unique style sought after and envied by everyone.
Pre-War
era building saw a higher level of quiet, conservative sophistication. Now, a lot of East coast and classic Southern styles
were creeping in. then the war hit and creativity went by the wayside in just about everything for a few years. There were
a few years when cars weren't even being manufactured as so much talent, labor and materials were used for the war effort!
For a decade or so following
that, the only concerns in Southern California was simply to build thousands of inexpensive houses and apartments to try to
meet the incredible demand of the huge influx due to the world moving here.
Style just didn't come into the picture much, until recently, since any four walls and a roof sold
in an instant...apartments rented immediately no matter what they looked like, so why bother putting any expense, charm or
detail into them! So ended the first Golden Era of residential architecture in Los Angeles.
During the late 50s and early 60s, Los Angeles
enjoyed a surge in powerful and iconic 'mid-century' architectural style. Today, there's a very high demand for
the real great survivors of this era.
Believe it or not, Los Angeles rents and real estate were among the cheapest in any major city (especially
in the valley)...until the non-stop rise in prices, beginning in the mid-70s; the total opposite of today.
The Need to Save, Restore & Embrace
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