STATTON RESIDENCE / HISTORIC MONUMENT

Motion - The Statton Residence, located at 1415 South Gramercy Place (on the Westside of the street between Pico and 15th Street) is a historically significant site which should be included in the City's list of historic or cultural monuments. The Statton Residence is an early 20th Century Gothic Revival/Tudor Revival style residential structure in the Historic West Adams District. The Residence was built in 1911 during the height of the Arts & Crafts era in architecture, and also reflects elements of that style. The Statton Residence is one of very few examples of the Althouse Brothers' structures still extant in West Adams. Daniel T. Althouse and John B. Althouse, the "Althouse Brothers," were active designers, builders and real estate developers in the early part of the 20th century. The pair built numerous substantial homes along Wilshire Boulevard, in the Westlake District and, especially, in West Adams in the W.G. Nevin Tract, where the Statton Residence is located. The Statton Residence is also significant because of its association with a leading Los Angeles architect, Frank M. Tyler. Tyler lived in West Adams and designed many homes and mansions in the community. Tyler homes share some distinctive elements, including an emphasis on vertical lines, large attics, and gables on what are often 2 1/2 story houses, and commonly including English Tudor elements. Other Frank M. Tyler-designed City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monuments include the Gordon L. McDonough House, No. 417; the Chalet Apartments, No. 467; the Julius Bierlich Residence, No. 599; and the Thomas Furlong house, No.678. The Statton Residence, however, with its stone base, elaborate use of hardwoods, and overall square footage, is grander than these. The Statton Residence is also significant because of its association with several prominent Los Angeles families. William Otterbein Statton, the original owner-occupant, was a well-known Colorado financier, businessman and politician who moved to Los Angeles as president of the Kennedy-Pierce brokerage company. Second owner Col. Henry A. Frambach built his family's fortune through manufacturing and banking interests in Wisconsin and Michigan before moving to Los Angeles. The third owner-occupants, Harry and Blanche Nicholas, were well-known in society and cultural circles. The Administrative Code defines an historical or cultural monument as any site, including significant trees or other plant life located thereon, building or structure of particular historic or cultural significance to the City of Los Angeles, such as historic structures or sites in which the broad cultural, economic or social history of the nation, State or community is reflected or exemplified, or which are identified with historic personages or with important events in the main currents of national, State or local history or which embody the distinguishing characteristics of an architectural type specimen, inherently valuable for a study of a period style or method of construction, or a notable work of a master builder, designer, or architect whose individual genius influenced his age. The Administrative Code also provides that the City Council can propose sites for inclusion on the list of historic or cultural monuments. The Cultural Heritage Commission after reviewing and investigating any such Council initiated amendment to the list, and after soliciting opinions and information regarding such potential site, shall approve or disapprove the proposed inclusion or deletion and submit a report upon such action to the City Council. In addition, the Administrative Code provides that there shall be a temporary stay of demolition, substantial alteration or removal of any such proposed location or structure pending designation. THEREFORE, MOVE that, pursuant to Section 22.126 of the Administrative Code, the City Council propose that the Statton Residence, whose location is identified in the text of this Motion, be included in the City's list of cultural or historic monuments, with the understanding that such proposal requires, pursuant to Section 22.125.1 of the Administrative Code, that there shall be a temporary stay of demolition, substantial alteration or removal of any location or structure at this site pending designation.

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