Wilshire Vista West now officially recognized as historic
MIRACLE MILE’S tall buildings are visible north of the Wilshire Vista West historic district.
It’s official — Wilshire Vista West is a City of Los Angeles “Historic District.” In early January, residents awoke to see city crews installing the distinctive latte-colored signs on lampposts within the six-block sector of Mid-City, which last October was listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and the California Register of Historical Resources.
Of the signs, “It’s really satisfying to look out the window and see them,” said Barbara Kroll, co-chairperson of Save Wilshire Vista West. “We launched Save Wilshire Vista West in May 2019, and COVID-19 changed the timeline for our meeting with the state’s Office of Historic Preservation. But Zoom saved the day; we eventually had a successful hearing, and despite COVID-19, the signs are up and we can finally breathe. Our little gem of a neighborhood is here to stay.”
With assistance from Council District 10 and the city’s Department of Transportation, 10 signs were installed demarcating the historic and architectural distinction of several blocks south of San Vicente Boulevard and east of Fairfax Avenue. The district is entirely multi-family, dating to the 1920s and 1930s. There are 113 buildings in all, 96 percent of which are preserved in their original condition. Most are duplexes and four-plexes, plus a few larger-unit buildings with interior or shared courtyards evocative of certain eras in Los Angeles development, including Spanish Revival, French Normandy, Art Deco and Colonial styles.
Nearby Carthay Square, South Carthay, Carthay Circle and Miracle Mile are now joined by Wilshire Vista West in expanding the number of buildings identified in the city’s “Survey LA” project that are able to be preserved and protected by such designations.
An outdoor celebration for residents and supporters of the historic district, long-delayed due to the pandemic and masking mandates, is planned for the summer.
Jane Galbraith served as co-chairperson of Save Wilshire Vista West.
Category: Real Estate