STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: June 14, 2022
To: Honorable Mayor & City Council
From: Timothea Tway, AICP, City Planner
Mark Odell, Urban Designer
Subject: Request by Councilmember Mirisch to Discuss Whether to Order Review of the Community Development Director's Determination Issuing a Certificate of Ineligibility for the Property Located at 910 North Roxbury Drive
Attachments: 1. Municipal Code Excerpts BHMC Section 1-4-201, et seq.
2. Certificate of Ineligibility Notice of Decision
3. Certificate of Ineligibility Memorandum
4. Historic Assessment Report (ESA)
5. Peer Review, Jan Ostashay, Ostashay and Associates
Consulting (OAC)
INTRODUCTION
Councilmember Mirisch has requested this item be placed on the Council’s agenda to determine if there is Council support to call up for review a Certificate of Ineligibility decision issued for the residence located at 910 North Roxbury Drive.
DISCUSSION
A Certificate of Ineligibility, pursuant to Municipal Code Section 10-3-3221, is a determination by the Director of Community Development or the Cultural Heritage Commission as to the eligibility of a potentially historic resource in the City for local designation and listing on the City’s Register of Historic Properties. A certificate of ineligibility, if granted, bars the Cultural Heritage Commission or the City Council from initiating landmark designation proceedings concerning a particular property for a period of seven years from the date of issuance. While a certificate of ineligibility is in effect, the subject property cannot be listed on the local inventory, or subject to the provisions of Municipal Code pertaining to designated and/or eligible historic resources in the City. The Certificate of Ineligibility process was originally created to offer greater certainty to property owners as to the historic status of their properties in order for improvements or replacement projects to move forward in a more streamlined fashion and without further review or evaluation of the potential historic merits of the subject structures.
On May 17, 2022, a memorandum was prepared by City staff, pursuant to an application received from the property owner, and circulated to the Cultural Heritage Commission.
Along with the memorandum, a Historic Assessment Report prepared by the applicant’s historical consultant (ESA) and a peer review memorandum prepared by the City’s historic Meeting Date: June 14, 2022
Consultant, Jan Ostashay of Ostashay and Associates Consulting (OAC), was circulated.
The circulation of the subject documents to the Cultural Heritage Commission allows a period of review by the Commissioners during which they may provide any additional pertinent information to the staff as the review of the eligibility of the property is undertaken. During the circulation to the Commission, there was no additional information provided to staff regarding the eligibility of the subject potential resource. The staff memorandum, the applicant’s consultant’s assessment, and the peer review by the City’s consultant all concluded that the residence on North Roxbury Drive did not meet the criteria for local historic designation.
On May 31, 2022, staff completed the review of the subject resource and concluded, based on the documentary evidence provided, including the historic assessment report by ESA and the peer review by Jan Ostashay that the residence did not meet the strict criteria for historic designation outlined in the Municipal Code. A decision granting the certificate to the applicant was subsequently issued and then circulated to the City Council.
Pursuant to Beverly Hills Municipal Code Section 1-4-201, et seq., the City Council may order a review of any decision made by any commission, board, or official of the city. The process to initiate this review and set a hearing is specifically set forth in the municipal code, and those provisions are attached for reference. The decision to order a review at the June 14th City Council Meeting shall be limited to the question of whether to call the item up for a hearing before the City Council at a future formal meeting because the matter merits review by the Council, and shall not include any evaluation or assessment of the merits or circumstances of the case or the administrative action. That discussion would take place at a noticed public hearing at an upcoming formal Council meeting.
FISCAL IMPACT
The recommendation in this report does not have significant budget or fiscal impacts for the City beyond staff time and noticing costs.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council make a determination as to whether or not the subject Certificate of Ineligibility decision will be called up for review. If a majority of the Council votes to call the matter up, staff recommends that the item be placed on the agenda for the second meeting in July.
Ryan Gohlich AICP,
Director of Community Development
Approved By
Attachment 1
Municipal Code Excerpts BHMC
Section 1-4-201, et seq.
Attachment 2
Certificate of Ineligibility Notice of Decision
(without Attachments)
CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
455 N. Rexford Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Tel. (310) 285-1141 Fax. (310) 858-5966
CERTIFICATE OF INELIGIBILITY (BHMC §10-3-3221)
NOTICE OF DECISION
Property Address 910 North Roxbury Drive
Property Owner
Jubin Niamehr
10900 Wilshire Boulevard, 15th Floor
Los Angeles, CA
Applicant/Agent
Shannon L. Papin of Environmental Science Associates
626 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1100
Los Angeles, CA
Decision Certificate of Ineligibilty granted
Date of Decision May 31, 2022
Decision Valid Until June 1, 2029
DIRECTOR’S DETERMINATION
In consideration of the property as a potential city of Beverly Hills Landmark under the criteria listed in Beverly Hills Municipal Code (BHMC) Section 10-3-3212, the Director finds that the building at 910 North Roxbury Drive is ineligible for local landmark designation. This determination is based upon the applicant’s historic resource assessment report produced by Environmental Science Associates[ESA], peer review by the City’s historical consultant, Ostashay & Associates Consulting [OAC] (Attachment 2), City Staff analysis, and observations and other evidence. The assessment report and peer review are attached to this document for reference.
Figure 2. Rear (eastern) façade (source: ESA)
Figure 1. Primary (western) façade (source: ESA)
DocuSign Envelope ID: 9A07E22A-4813-4DF6-80BF-7B6A0FC665EB Certificate of Ineligibility
Notice of Decision
910 North Roxbury Drive
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS
The subject single-family residence located at 910 North Roxbury Drive was built in 1934 by E.P.
Dentzel and designed by Robert V. Derrah in a Regency Revival architectural style. Derrah is recognized for his contributions to the urban development of the city as a Master Architect and is currently listed on the City’s Local List of Master Architects. Dentzel was a well-known builder and contractor who built many homes in Beverly Hills and served as a mayor. Although not an architect, Dentzel was previously listed on the City’s Local List of Master Architects until his name was removed from the list in 2015.
The subject property is located in a residential tract, which was first subdivided in 1921. This area of the City was developed with large, single-family residences designed in various Period Revival architectural styles. The area maintains its residential character to this day and features a mix of early 20th century single-family homes and some that were more recently constructed. The subject residence is located on a rectangular parcel at the northeastern portion of North Roxbury Drive and is bounded by an alley at the rear. Originally designed in the Regency Revival style by Derrah, the residence was permitted in 1934 as a two-story, single-family residence with a detached, onestory, five-car garage. Derrah’s drawings from 1934 show that the exterior is clad in a combination of brick (painted white), stucco, and horizontal siding(at rear), with a chimney constructed of brick and side-facing, gabled roofs clad with shingles. The drawings also show the home’s original front entry, which was an ornate metal lattice porch canopy with bell cast shape standing seam metal roof.
Until 1960’s, the subject residence appears to have maintained its architectural design and original built condition. In later years, prior to 1984, exterior alterations were made to the front (west) elevation. The original metal lattice porch canopy was removed and replaced with a projecting two-story front porch canopy supported by full-height columns. In addition, a classically inspired entablature with pilasters was added to cover the original paneled door with sidelights.
Other changes to the residence included window replacement, pool installation, and a trellis at rear.
Major alterations to the building’s original features occurred between 1984 and 1985, when the subject residence underwent a significant stylistic change and remodel from Regency Revival to American Colonial or Georgian Revival. A significant alteration involved the removal of the fullheight canopy at the main entry and addition of a new broken pediment. A front-facing gable was added and modified the roofline of the front (west) elevation; the exterior brick cladding was sandblasted and the face of the existing brick was significantly damaged; an attached, covered breezeway was added, further altering both the west and north elevations of the house. Other changes included an addition to the first and second floors of the residence (south and east elevations) and the expansion and conversion of the existing detached garage into a storage room. After the renovations, the home retained few of the important design features illustrated in the architect’s original 1934 drawings. Overall, the subject residence lacks sufficient integrity in many of the existing character-defining features from its period of significance.
As summarized in Table 1 below, the property is ineligible under the City of Beverly Hills Landmark Criteria, Section A. The subject residence satisfies only one of the Section A criteria, (Criterion A.1) as it is over 45 years of age. However, the rest of the A Criteria (Criterion A2, A3, and A4) cannot be met due to the extensive alterations that have occurred over time. While the residence has some character-defining features of the Regency Revival architectural style, the features present DocuSign Envelope ID: 9A07E22A-4813-4DF6-80BF-7B6A0FC665EB Certificate of Ineligibility
Notice of Decision
910 North Roxbury Drive
on the residence are not original work by Derrah and were added between 1984-1985 as referenced above. The building has been modified from its original design, which conveyed the intent of the Master Architect.
Additionally, the property does not meet any of the criteria (of which one is required) in Landmark Criteria Section B. Neither ESA’s nor OAC’s research uncovered any publications or architectural awards discussing or honoring the subject property for its architectural design or merit. As such, the subject property cannot meet the definition of “exceptional work” (as defined in BHMC §10-3- 3202) by Master Architect Robert V. Derrah, as the building has been significantly altered. The ESA Report includes occupancy history, which identified owners and occupants of the property.
The most prominent owner was E.P. Dentzel, who was an important figure in Beverly Hills’ history, not only for the many buildings he built in the City, but also for his contributions to the Beverly Hills Community as a mayor. However, none of the owners and occupants of the property, including Dentzel, meet the definition of a “person of great importance” or a “person of great local prominence” contained in Beverly Hills Municipal Code Section 10-3-3202.
In consideration of the subject property’s historical significance, based on the documentary evidence provided, which includes a historic resource assessment report by ESA and a peer review by OAC, the Director does not find the subject property at 910 North Roxbury Drive to be eligible for local register listing. Consideration of California Register and National Register eligibility was not assessed in conjunction with this Certificate of Ineligibility.
Table 1. Summary of Landmark Designation Criteria (Beverly Hills Municipal Code §10-3-3212) Criterion
No.
Criteria Subject property
meets criteria?
A landmark must satisfy all of the requirements in Section A:
A.1
It is at least forty-five (45) years of age, or is a property of extraordinary significance;
Yes
A.2
It possesses high artistic or aesthetic value, and embodies the distinctive characteristics of an architectural style or architectural type or architectural period;
No
A.3 It retains substantial integrity from its period of significance; and No A.4
It has continued historic value to the community such that its designation as a landmark is reasonable and necessary to promote and further the purposes of this article.
No
In addition to the requirements set forth in Section A above, a landmark must satisfy at least one of the following requirements in Section B:
B.1 It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places; No B.2 It is an exceptional work by a Master Architect; No DocuSign Envelope ID: 9A07E22A-4813-4DF6-80BF-7B6A0FC665EB Certificate of Ineligibility
Notice of Decision
910 North Roxbury Drive
EFFECT OF CERTIFICATE OF INELIGIBILITY (BHMC §10-3-3221D) An issued Certificate of Ineligibility bars the Cultural Heritage Commission or City Council from initiating landmark designation proceedings concerning the subject property, in whole or in part, for a period of seven (7) years from the date of issuance. While a Certificate of Ineligibility is in effect, the subject property shall not be listed on the local inventory, and shall not be subject to the provisions of BHMC §10-3-3217 and 10-3-3218.
CALL UP AND APPEAL PROVISIONS
Only the applicant for a Certificate of Ineligibility shall be entitled to file an appeal of a decision regarding the certificate pursuant to the provisions in Beverly Hills Municipal Code Title 1, Chapter 4, Article 1. The City Council shall have the authority to call up such decisions for review pursuant to the provisions of Beverly Hills Municipal Code Title 1, Chapter 4, Article 2.
Any decision of the director or the commission regarding a Certificate of Ineligibility shall become final if no appeal is submitted within the applicable appeal period [any appeal petition shall be filed with the city clerk within fourteen (14) calendar days after the date of the decision] and the decision is not called up for review by the City Council pursuant to the provisions of Beverly Hills Municipal Code Title 1, Chapter 4, Article 2 [review may be ordered by motion of the Council duly adopted within thirty (30) calendar days after the issuance of the decision review may be ordered by motion of the council duly adopted within thirty (30) calendar days after the issuance of the decision].
B.3
It is an exceptional work that was owned and occupied by a person of great importance, and was directly connected to a momentous event in the person’s endeavors or the history of the nation. For purposes of this paragraphs, personal events such as birth, death, marriage, social interaction, and the like shall not be deemed to be momentous;
No
B.4
It is an exceptional property that was owned and occupied by a person of great local prominence;
No
B.5 It is an iconic property; or No
B.6 The landmark designation procedure is initiated, or expressly agreed to, by the owner(s) of the property.
No
Criteria Subject property
meets criteria?
All criteria in Section A met? No
At least one criterion in Section B met? No
Does the subject property satisfy all the requirements in Beverly Hills Municipal Code §10-3-3212 to be considered an eligible property for landmark nomination and designation?
NO
DocuSign Envelope ID: 9A07E22A-4813-4DF6-80BF-7B6A0FC665EB Certificate of Ineligibility
Notice of Decision
910 North Roxbury Drive
Per BHMC §10-3-3219, a decision by the director may be appealed to the Cultural Heritage Commission within fifteen (15) days from the date of the decision pursuant to the procedures set forth in Beverly Hills Municipal Code Title 1, Chapter 4, Article 1.
Sincerely,
Ryan Gohlich, AICP
Director of Community Development
Attachments:
1. Historical Resources Assessment Report produced by Environmental Science Associates (ESA), dated March 2022
2. Peer Review produced by Ostashay & Associates Consulting (OAC), dated May 2022 DocuSign Envelope ID: 9A07E22A-4813-4DF6-80BF-7B6A0FC665EB Attachment 3
Certificate of Ineligibility Memorandum
CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
MEMORANDUM
TO: Chair Corman and Cultural Heritage Commission
FROM: Mark Odell, Urban Designer
DATE: May 17, 2022
SUBJECT: Certificate of Ineligibility Application: 910 North Roxbury Drive The Community Development Department is reviewing a Certificate of Ineligibility application for the property located at 910 North Roxbury Drive. The Historic Resources Assessment report by ESA submitted with the application concludes that the property does not retain sufficient integrity from the original period of significance, and therefore and does not satisfy Beverly Hills landmark criteria (under BHMC §10-3-3212). The historic assessment report for this site and residence was also peer reviewed by Jan Ostashay of Ostashay and Associates Consulting (OAC), whose analysis concurs with ESA and finds the residence ineligible for local historic designation.
The single-family residence located at 910 North Roxbury Drive was built in 1934 by E.P. Dentzel and designed by Robert V. Derrah in a Regency Revival architectural style. Derrah is recognized for his contributions to the urban development of the city as a Master Architect and currently listed on the City’s Local List of Master Architects. Dentzel was a well-known builder and contractor who built many homes in Beverly Hills and also served as the mayor. Although not an architect, Dentzel was previously listed on the City’s Local List of Master Architects, until his name was removed from the list in 2015.
The subject property is located in a residential tract which was first subdivided in 1921. This area of the City was developed with large, single-family residences designed in various Period Revival architectural styles. The area maintains its residential character to this day and features a mix of early 20th century single-family homes and some that were more recently constructed.
Figure 2, Rear (eastern) façade (source: ESA)
Figure 1, Primary (western) façade (source: ESA)
910 North Roxbury Drive
Certificate of Ineligibility
Memorandum
2 of 4
The subject residence is located on a rectangular parcel at the northeastern portion of North Roxbury Drive and is bounded by an alley at the rear. Originally designed in the Regency Revival style by Derrah, the residence was permitted in 1934 as a two-story, wood-frame single-family residence clad in brick and stucco with a concrete foundation, brick chimneys and shingled roof.
Derrah’s drawings from 1934 depict the home’s front entry with a metal lattice canopy structure.
At the rear of the home was a permitted, detached, one-story, five-car garage. Until 1960’s, the subject residence appears to have maintained its architectural design and original built condition.
Many changes occurred over the years, but major alterations to the structure’s original characterdefining features occurred between 1984 and 1985, when the subject residence underwent a significant architectural style change from Regency Revival to American Colonial Revival. The primary west elevation was modified to include a new front gable and a classical frontispiece for the new front porch and steps; the exterior brick cladding was sandblasted and was no longer painted in white; a breezeway was added, and other changes occurred at the rear and beyond public view. These changes on the secondary elevation of the residence included additions to the first and second floors of the residence. In addition, the existing detached garage was expanded and converted into a storage room, and new windows were added. After the renovation, the home retained few of the important design features illustrated in the architect’s original 1934 drawings. Overall, the subject residence lacks sufficient integrity from its period of significance and does not retain the applicable aspects of integrity (location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association).
Pursuant to the required local criteria for historic designation, the subject residence satisfies only one of the A criteria, (Criterion A.1) as it is over 45 years of age. However, the rest of the A Criteria (Criterion A2, A3, and A4) cannot be met due to the extensive alterations that happened over time. While the residence has some character-defining features of the Regency Revival architectural style, the features present on the residence are not original work by Derrah and were added between 1984-1985 as referenced above. Additionally, the residence and site do not possess high artistic or aesthetic value (Criterion A2) and has lost substantial integrity from its period of significance (Criterion A.3). The subject residence does not have continued historic value to the community as it does not retain the adequate level of integrity of materials, design, or workmanship to convey its historical appearance (Criterion A.4).
In addition, neither ESA’s nor OAC’s research uncovered any publications or architectural awards discussing or honoring the subject property for its architectural design or merit. As such, the subject property cannot meet the definition of “exceptional work” (as defined in BHMC §10-3- 3202), and also does not satisfy Criterion B.2, B.3, or B.4, and is, therefore, not eligible as a local landmark under Beverly Hills criteria.
The ESA Report includes occupancy history, which identified owners and occupants of the property. The most prominent owner was E.P. Dentzel, who was an important figure in Beverly Hills’ history, not only for the many buildings he built in the City, but also for his contributions to the Beverly Hills Community as a mayor. However, none of the owners and occupants of the property, including E.P. Dentzel, meet the definition of a “person of great importance” or a “person of great local prominence” contained in Beverly Hills Municipal Code Section 10-3-3202, and therefore the property does not satisfy landmark criterion B.3 or B.4.
Based on the documentary evidence provided that includes a historic assessment report by ESA, and the peer review memorandum by OAC, it does not appear that the property at 910 North Roxbury Drive is eligible for individual local register listing at this time due to compromised 910 North Roxbury Drive
Certificate of Ineligibility
Memorandum
3 of 4
historical integrity. Consideration of California Register and National Register eligibility were not assessed in conjunction with this Certificate of Ineligibility.
Pursuant to Beverly Hills Municipal Code (BHMC) Section 10-3-3221, copies of the application for a Certificate of Ineligibility shall be provided promptly to members of the Commission by the Director to enable Commissioners to provide information to the Director concerning the subject property where appropriate. If you have any pertinent information regarding the subject property and its eligibility as a local landmark under the following criteria, please provide the information to me no later than Friday, May 27th, 2022.
Landmark Designation Criteria (Beverly Hills Municipal Code Section 10-3-3212) A landmark must satisfy all of the requirements in Section A:
A.1 Age It is at least forty-five (45) years of age, or is a property of extraordinary significance;
A.2 Style
It possesses high artistic or aesthetic value, and embodies the distinctive characteristics of an architectural style or architectural type or architectural period;
A.3 Integrity It retains substantial integrity from its period of significance; and A.4 Historic Value It has continued historic value to the community such that its designation as a landmark is reasonable and necessary to promote and further the purposes of this article.
In addition to the requirements set forth in Section A above, a landmark must satisfy at least one of the following requirements:
B.1 National Register It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places; B.2 Exceptional
Work It is an exceptional work by a Master Architect;
B.3 Person of Great
Importance
It is an exceptional work that was owned and occupied by a person of great importance, and was directly connected to a momentous event in the person’s endeavors or the history of the nation. For purposes of this paragraphs, personal events such as birth, death, marriage, social interaction, and the like shall not be deemed to be momentous;
B.4
Person of Great
Local
Prominence
It is an exceptional property that was owned and occupied by a person of great local prominence;
B.5 Iconic It is an iconic property; or
910 North Roxbury Drive
Certificate of Ineligibility
Memorandum
4 of 4
Pursuant to Beverly Hills Municipal Code (BHMC) Section10-3-3221, if the Director does not find that the property is an eligible property, the Director shall issue the requested Certificate of Ineligibility; but if the Director believes that the property is an eligible property, the Director shall not issue the certificate. If the Director declines to issue a requested Certificate of Ineligibility, the Commission shall consider the matter de novo at its next meeting.
For further details on this project or procedure, please contact Minjee Hahm, Associate Planner at, (310) 285-1136 or [email protected].
C: Ryan Gohlich, Director of the Community Development; Timmi Tway, City Planner; Mark Odell, Urban Designer BCC: CHC Commissioners
B.6 Voluntary
Designation
The landmark designation procedure is initiated, or expressly agreed to, by the owner(s) of the property.
Attachment 4
Historic Assessment Report (ESA)
|
910 North Roxbury Drive, Beverly Hills, California i ESA / D202200010.00 Historical Resources Assessment March 2022
TABLE OF CONTENTS
910 North Roxbury Drive
Historical Resources Assessment
Page
Executive Summary.................................................................................................................1 Project Location................................................................................................................2 Methodology .....................................................................................................................5 Regulatory Framework............................................................................................................6 City Level..........................................................................................................................6 City of Beverly Hills .................................................................................................6 Environmental Setting.............................................................................................................7 Historic Contexts ..............................................................................................................7 Development of Beverly Hills, 1822–1980..............................................................7 American Colonial Revival Architecture (1890–1955)............................................9 Development, Construction, and Occupancy History ....................................................14 Tract 4160 Development (1926 – 1950)...............................................................14 Construction History..............................................................................................24 Occupancy History................................................................................................53 Evaluation...............................................................................................................................60 Architectural Description.................................................................................................60 Significance Evaluation ..................................................................................................74 City of Beverly Hills ...............................................................................................74 Integrity Analysis...................................................................................................77 Summary...............................................................................................................79 Eligibility Recommendations and Conclusion ...................................................................79 References..............................................................................................................................81 Appendices
A Professional Qualifications
B Tract Map
C Building Permits
D DPR Forms
List of Figures
Figure 1 Regional and Property Vicinity Location.................................................................3 Figure 2 Aerial Photograph of Project Site............................................................................4 Table of Contents
Page
910 North Roxbury Drive, Beverly Hills, California ii ESA / D202200010.00 Historical Resources Assessment April 2022
Figure 3 An early example of an American Colonial Revival residence at 1006 Crescent Drive in Beverly Hills, originally constructed in 1911 (extant)...............11 Figure 4 2017 photograph of the former David Selznick estate, designed in the American Colonial Revival style by Roland Coates. ............................................12 Figure 5 American Colonial Revival residence at 510 Canon Drive, Beverly Hills.............12 Figure 6 American Colonial Revival residence at 711 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills........................................................................................................................13 Figure 7 American Colonial Revival residence at 1717 Chevy Chase Drive. ....................13 Figure 8 American Colonial Revival residence at 621 North Beverly Drive. ......................14 Figure 9 American Colonial Revival residence at 1716 Chevy Chase Drive......................14 Figure 10 1922 Sanborn map of the area, future location of the subject property outlined in red........................................................................................................16 Figure 11 1926 Sanborn map of the area, future location of the subject property outlined in red. By this time, many houses on Roxbury had been constructed although open lots remained as well. ...............................................17 Figure 12 Corner of North Roxbury Drive and Sunset Boulevard, approximately
0.20 miles from the subject property, 1928. .........................................................18 Figure 13 1938 aerial photograph of the area, location of the subject property outlined in red........................................................................................................18 Figure 14 1948 aerial photograph of the area, location of the subject property outlined in red........................................................................................................19 Figure 15 1950 Sanborn map of the area, subject property outlined in red. ........................20 Figure 16 1953 aerial photograph of the area, location of the subject property outlined in red........................................................................................................21 Figure 17 1964 aerial photograph of the area, location of the subject property outlined in red........................................................................................................21 Figure 18 1977 aerial photograph of the area, location of the subject property outlined in red........................................................................................................22 Figure 19 1994 aerial photograph of the area, location of the subject property outlined in red........................................................................................................22 Figure 20 2005 aerial photograph of the area, location of the subject property outlined in red........................................................................................................23 Figure 21 2016 aerial photograph of the area, location of the subject property outlined in red........................................................................................................23 Figure 22 Original 1934 drawing of the primary west elevation by Robert Vincent Derrah. ..................................................................................................................27 Figure 23 Original 1934 drawing of the rear east elevation by Robert Vincent Derrah. ..................................................................................................................27 Figure 24 1957 photograph of the primary west elevation of the residence from the Los Angeles Times, showing that the home still had its original metal lattice canopy which was later removed...............................................................28 Figure 25 1957 advertisement for the residence stating it had white brick cladding.
The residence is currently unpainted....................................................................28 Figure 26 1984 drawing of alterations to the residence, landscaping, and garage addition, outlined in red.........................................................................................28 Figure 27 1984 photograph of the residence prior to the 1984-1985 alterations that gave it its current appearance. By the time this photograph was taken, the residence had already changed from its original 1934 design, including the addition of large pillars and removal of the metal lattice canopy outside the main entrance. The front yard’s landscaping has also changed since this time. View to the east ............................................................29 Historic Resource Assessment
910 North Roxbury Drive, Beverly Hills, California iii ESA / D202200010.00 Historical Resources Assessment April 2022
Figure 28 1984 photograph of the residence’s west elevation and driveway prior to the 1984-1985 alterations that gave the home its current appearance.
Prior to the 1984-1985 renovations, the residence did not have its current breezeway, which was added.. View to the east..................................................30 Figure 29 1984 photograph of the residence’s rear east elevation prior to the 1984- 1985 alterations. The home’s original metal lattice canopy at the west elevation was still extant at the time this photograph was taken but was removed as a result of the 1984-1985 renovation. View to the west. ..................31 Figure 30 1984 photograph of the residence’s rear east elevation prior to alterations. View to the north. ...............................................................................32 Figure 31 1984 photograph of the pool house prior to the 1984-1985 renovations.
View to the east.....................................................................................................33 Figure 32 1984 photograph showing the beginning of the 1984-1985 renovations to the primary west elevation. View to the east. .......................................................34 Figure 33 1984 photograph showing progress of alterations to the primary west elevation. View to the east....................................................................................35 Figure 34 1984 photograph showing progress of renovations on the primary west elevation and the south elevation. View to the east. ............................................36 Figure 35 1984 photograph showing alterations to the south elevation, including an expansion and the addition of second floor bay windows and closure of a first-floor window. View to the east. ......................................................................37 Figure 36 1984 photograph showing completed primary west elevation and south elevation with new landscaping. This is how the house currently appears.
Note the new front gable, classical frontispiece, steps and porch. View to the east..................................................................................................................38 Figure 37 Circa 1984-1985 photographs showing the before and after of the breezeway (currently extant). View to the east.....................................................39 Figure 38 1984 photograph showing additions to the garage at the east and north elevations of the subject property. View to the north............................................40 Figure 39 1984 photograph showing the construction progress to the east and north elevations at the rear of the subject property, including first and secondstory additions, window changes, and a new double-height entrance.
View to the northwest............................................................................................41 Figure 40 1984 photograph showing the construction progress to the east and north elevations of the subject property. View to the west. ...........................................42 Figure 41 1984 photograph showing the construction progress to the east and north elevation of the subject property, view to the west...............................................43 Figure 42 Circa 1984-1985 photograph showing in-progress (top) and completed (bottom) alterations to the current pool house. View to the east..........................44 Figure 43 1984 photograph showing the construction of the brick patio and pathway at the east yard. View to the southwest................................................................45 Figure 44 Undated historic photograph of the Southern California Gas Company building located at 820 Flower Street in downtown Los Angeles, CA..................47 Figure 45 1939 image of the Streamline Moderne Coca Cola bottling plant at 1334 South Central Avenue in Los Angeles, designed by Robert Derrah. ...................48 Figure 46 Historic photograph of the Streamline Moderne Cinecolor building located at 2800 West Olive Avenue Burbank, California and designed by Robert Derrah in 1939. .....................................................................................................49 Figure 47 Crossroads of the World in Los Angeles, designed by Robert Derrah in 1936. .....................................................................................................................50 Figure 48 Primary west elevation of the subject property. The entire west elevation has been heavily altered, notably in 1984–1985, and does not appear as it did in the original 1934 drawings. The breezeway is also non-original.
Table of Contents
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Landscaping features manicured lawn, hedges, and trees (non-original) as well as a brick path leading to the primary entrance. View to the east. ..........64 Figure 49 Primary entrance to the residence on the west elevation. The pedimented surround is non-original. View to the east. ...........................................................65 Figure 50 The non-original breezeway on the subject property’s west elevation View to the east.....................................................................................................66 Figure 51 South end of the north elevation, showing (non-original) breezeway, bay window, and chimney. View to the west. ..............................................................67 Figure 52 Eastern end of the north elevation. The second story and stucco volume are non-original . View to the east. .......................................................................68 Figure 53 Entrance to the residence on the north elevation, within the non-original breezeway. View to the south...............................................................................69 Figure 54 Overall view of the east rear elevation. This elevation has been extensively altered, with first and second story additions, changes in windows and doors, and additions of bay windows and new sidings. View to the west.............................................................................................................70 Figure 55 Eastern end of the south elevation. The bay windows and chimney are non-original. View to the north. .............................................................................71 Figure 56 Eastern end of the south elevation, facing non-original landscaping featuring plants, trees, and a stone path. This elevation was expanded during the 1984–1985 renovation. The bay window and siding are nonoriginal. View to the west. .....................................................................................72 Figure 57 West elevation of the pool house, which was formerly a garage. This elevation has been heavily altered, and its windows and doors are nonoriginal. View to the east.......................................................................................73 Figure 58 North elevation of the pool house (formerly garage) and brick driveway.
There were originally three garage doors on the north elevation; there are currently two. View to the southeast.....................................................................74 List of Tables
Table 1 910 North Roxbury Drive Building Permits Beverly Hills Building and Safety Department Building Permits.....................................................................25 Table 2 Selected single and Multi-family Residential Structures designed by Robert V. Derrah in Beverly Hills ..........................................................................50 Table 3 Occupancy History of 910 North Roxbury Drive...................................................53 Table 4 Selected Projects built by e.p. dentzel in Beverly hills and the greater Los Angeles area.........................................................................................................56 910 North Roxbury Drive, Beverly Hills, California 1 ESA / D202200010.00 Historical Resources Assessment April 2022
910 NORTH ROXBURY DRIVE
Historical Resources Assessment
Executive Summary
Environmental Science Associates (ESA) was retained by Mr. Jubin Niamehr (Client) to prepare a Historic Resources Assessment Report (Report) for the property located at 910 North Roxbury Drive, Beverly Hills (City), California (Subject Property). ESA assessed the subject property for potential eligibility as a City Historic Landmark (Landmark). The report will establish the subject property’s status as a potential historical resource under City of Beverly Hills (City) Historic Preservation Ordinance. The Report includes a discussion of the survey and research methods used, a brief history of the property and surrounding area, an architectural description of the subject property, and a historic context to provide a framework for the evaluation, evaluation and conclusion.
The single-family residence at 910 North Roxbury Drive was constructed in 1934 by original owner Edward Paul (E.P.) Dentzel, a prolific builder, contractor, and real estate developer who was particularly active in Beverly Hills form the 1920s to the 1940s. 1 The residence occupies Lot
17 of Tract 4160 on the Beverly Hills Tract; the assessor parcel number is (APN) 4345-005-017.
The residence was designed in the American Colonial revival style by Robert Vincent Derrah, who is listed on the City of Beverly Hills List of Local Master Architects. 2 The building permit
history for the subject property, photographs from a circa 1985 renovation, and the original 1934 drawings indicate that the subject property has been extensively modified over time and does not resemble its original appearance.
As a result of its investigations, ESA recommends the subject property ineligible as a Beverly Hills Landmark. In order for a property to be locally eligible, the City requires that a property meet all four of the requirements under “A” (it is at least 45 years of age; it embodies the distinctive characteristics of its style; it retains integrity from its period of significance; and it has continued historic value to the community) as well as one of the five requirements under “B” (listed on the National Register; an exceptional work that was owned and occupied by a person of great importance, and was directly connected to a momentous event in the person's endeavors or the history of the nation; an exceptional property owned by a person of great local importance; an iconic property; and the landmark designation was initiated by the property’s owner). 1 Beverly Hills Department of Buildings, "Permit 12531: Application for the Erection of Buildings," issued to E.P.
Dentzel, March 23, 1934.
2 Beverly Hills List of Local Master Architects, adopted by the Cultural Heritage Commission 10-14-15, Revised 7- 10-19. Version 3.1.
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The subject property meets criteria A.1 as it is over 45 years of age. It does not, however, meet criteria A.2, A.3, or A.4, due to the subject property undergoing extensive alterations. While it has some character-defining features of the American Colonial Revival style, most of these features are not original and were added during the 1984-1985 renovation and the property does not possess high artistic or aesthetic value (A.2). The subject property further does not retain substantial integrity due to major alterations since is original construction (A.3), and it does not have continued historic value to the community as it does not retain adequate integrity of materials, design, or workmanship to convey its historical appearance (A.4) Additionally, the home does not meet any of the requirements under “B.” The subject property is not listed on the National Register (B.1); it is not an exceptional work that was owned or occupied by a person of great importance as defined in the City’s ordinance (B.2); it was not owned by a person of great local prominence as defined in the preservation ordinance (B.3); it is not an iconic property as defined in the City’s preservation ordinance (B.4); and landmark designation was not initiated by the property owner (B.5). As a result, the subject property does not meet the eligibility thresholds required for landmark listing by the City of Beverly Hill and is found to be ineligible.
ESA recommends the subject property be assigned a California Historic Resource (“CHR”) Status Code of 6Z, noting it as ineligible for listing in the National Register, California Register, or for City Landmark designation, through survey evaluation. ESA further recommends the City issue a determination that the subject property is not an eligible property and therefore is exempt from the provisions of Article 32, Historic Preservation (Ord 15-0-2682) of the Beverly Hills City Code.
Project Location
The subject property is located at 910 North Roxbury Drive in Tract 4160 in the City of Beverly Hills, California as shown on Figure 1, Regional and Property Vicinity Location. The project site is improved with a two-story single-family residence, as shown in Figure 2 Aerial Photograph of Project Site. The subject property is located mid-block on the east side of the 900 block of Roxbury Drive. The streets immediately surrounding the subject property, including Whittier Drive to the west, Lexington Road to the north, and Bedford Way to the east, are residential and comprised of single-family residences, many of which are constructed in various Period Revival styles. The surrounding neighborhood also has non-historic infill development of large singlefamily residences. The nearest major thoroughfares are Sunset Boulevard located one block to the west and Benedict Canyon Drive to the north.
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Methodology
This Report was prepared by a team of ESA’s architectural historians—including Margarita Jerabek-Bray, Ph.D., Director of Historical Resources; Shannon Papin, M.A., Senior Architectural Historian; and Claire Cancilla, M.S., Architectural Historian—all of whom meet and exceed the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards in history and architectural history. Professional qualifications are provided in Appendix A. This HRA report is required by the City whenever a proposed project involves a building that might potentially be a historic resource. Moreover, this Report meets the definition of a Historic Assessment Report set forth in Title 10, Chapter 3, Article 32, Section 2 of the Beverly Hills Municipal Code.3 For the study, ESA’s architectural historians performed the tasks that follow:
• Field inspections of the subject property utilizing the survey methodology of the State OHP conducted on January 24, 2022.
• Photography of the subject property and associated landscape features and examination of other properties in the vicinity that exhibited potential architectural and/or historical associations.
• Site‐specific research for the subject property utilizing Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps (Sanborn Maps), City directories, historical photographs, Online Archive of California, Calisphere, Ancestry records, the Beverly Hills Public Library, historical newspapers, and other published sources.
• Review of all available building permits for the subject property through the Beverly Hills Department of Building and Safety for alterations.
• Review of previous City of Beverly Hills historic resources surveys from 1985-1986 and 2004.
• Review of original 1934 drawings of the residence form the Robert Vincent Derrah archives at the University of California, Santa Barbara Museum of Art and Architecture. • A search of the Avery Index for Architectural Periodicals at Columbia University to locate any potential published articles or monographs featuring the subject property. • Review of photographs showing the 1984–1985 renovation of the subject property, provided by the client.
• Review and analysis of ordinances, statutes, regulations, bulletins, and technical materials relating to Federal, State, and Local historic preservation, designation assessment processes, and related programs.
• Evaluation of potential historical resources based upon criteria used by the National Register, California Register, and City of Beverly Hills Historic Preservation Ordinance. 3 The section defines a Historic Assessment Report as “A comprehensive report prepared by a qualified historic preservation consultant that assesses whether or not a specific property or geographical area, as the case may be, satisfies all of the requirements for designation as a landmark or historic district. The report shall include not only the requisite findings, but also all known facts and circumstances that either support or possibly refute those findings.” ESA’s report is identified as a Historic Resources Assessment.
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Regulatory Framework
City Level
City of Beverly Hills
The City’s Historic Preservation Ordinance (15-O-2682, eff. 11-19-2015) codified in the Municipal Code Title 10 Chapter 3 Article 32 Historic Preservation, authorizes the Cultural Heritage Commission (CHC) to recommend the nomination of properties as City landmarks to the City Council. The Council may designate City landmarks and historic districts by the procedures outlined in the ordinance. The Preservation Ordinance also establishes the evaluation criteria and process for designating properties as City landmarks. Under the City’s criteria, a property must be more than 45 years old, unless it possesses exceptional significance; retain sufficient historical integrity to physically illustrate its significance; and satisfy the significance criteria.
To be eligible for City designation as a historic landmark, properties must satisfy the following criteria:
A. A Landmark must satisfy all of the following requirements:
1. It is at least 45 years of age, or is a property of extraordinary significance;
2. It possesses high artistic or aesthetic value, and embodies the distinctive characteristics of an architectural style or architectural type or architectural period;
3. It retains substantial integrity from its period of significance; and
4. It has continued historic value to the community such that its designation as a landmark is reasonable and necessary to promote and further the purposes of this article.
B. In addition to the requirements set forth in Paragraph A above, a landmark must satisfy at least one of the following requirements:
1. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places;
2. It is an exceptional work by a master architect;
3. It is an exceptional work that was owned and occupied by a person of great importance, and was directly connected to a momentous event in the person's endeavors or the history of the nation. For purposes of this paragraph, personal events such as birth, death, marriage, social interaction, and the like shall not be deemed to be momentous;
4. It is an exceptional property that was owned and occupied by a person of great local prominence;
5. It is an iconic property; or
6. The landmark designation procedure is initiated, or expressly agreed to, by the owner(s) of the property.4
4 BMC 10-3-3212: Landmark Designation Criteria
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Environmental Setting
Historic Contexts
The historic context developed below presents the background necessary to evaluate the historical and architectural significance of subject property located at 910 North Roxbury Drive, including the history of construction and alterations, occupancy history, and information on the architect associated with the residence. The recommended period of significance associated with subject property is 1934, the original date of construction of the residence. ESA evaluated the subject property as an individual resource under the historical and architectural themes, Development of Beverly Hills and Establishment of the Movie Colony (1920–1945); Tract 4160 (1926–1950); and the American Colonial Revival Style (1890–1950). The property was also evaluated as an example of the work of Robert Vincent Derrah, who is currently included on the City of Beverly Hills’ List of Local Master Architects.
Development of Beverly Hills, 1822–19805
Early Settlement and Development (1822–1919)
Rancho Rodeo de las Aguas was originally settled by Mexican settlers Maria Rita Valdez and her husband Vicente Valdez around 1822. Aptly named “The Ranch of the Gathering of the Waters”, the swamps or “cienegas” that characterize the natural landscape of the property were created by run-off flowing out of Coldwater and Benedict Canyons. Vicente, a retired soldier, died in 1828, leaving Maria in charge of the 4,500-acre cattle ranch. In 1852, after suffering a Native American attack, Maria moved to the safety of the pueblo of Los Angeles, and in 1854, the ranch was sold for $4,000 to two Americans, Benjamin Davis “Don Benito” Wilson and Major Henry Hancock.
Don Benito was a major figure in the development of Southern California as well as a founder of the California citrus and viticulture industries. Hancock, a Civil War veteran, surveyed and subsequently acquired large tracts around the La Brea Tar Pits. His family-owned Rancho La Brea, which is located to the east of Rancho Rodeo de las Aguas.
The Rancho changed hands several times after Hancock sold his interests in 1862 to William Workman, a railroad magnate. Vegetable farming, sheep herding, bee keeping and raising of walnut trees were the primary agricultural activities within the rancho lands during the latter half of the 19th century. Several attempts at subdividing and establishing communities on the ranch lands were attempted during the 1860s and 1880s but ended in failure. The Rancho period continued through 1906.
The Rodeo Land and Water Company and Early Development of the City of Beverly Hills (1906–1920)
The next activities on the ranch centered on a syndicate of oil investors, known as the Amalgamated Oil Company; however, attempts to exploit the deeply buried oil reserves were unsuccessful. Once again, the ranch owners focused their hopes on subdividing the Beverly Hills area as a real estate development. The Amalgamated Oil Company reorganized as the Rodeo 5 PCR Services Corporation, Historic Resources Survey Report: City of Beverly Hills, City of Beverly Hills, 2004, 7- 8 and 9-11.
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Land and Water Company in 1906, this time with railroad tycoon Henry E. Huntington as one of the investors. It was headed by oilman and now developer Burton Green, who played a leading role in formulating the plans for a garden city, originally named “Morocco Junction” located between Whittier Drive on the west, Doheny Drive on the east, Wilshire Boulevard on the south and the foothills above Sunset Boulevard on the north.
The syndicate hired notable California park planner, Wilbur F. Cook, Jr., to plan the new community. Cook had worked with landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted before moving to Oakland in 1905 to establish his own firm. Comprised of “Beverly” in the commercial triangle between Santa Monica and Wilshire Boulevards and “Beverly Hills” north of Santa Monica Boulevard, the new community was one of the earliest planned communities in Southern California. Horticulturist John J. Reeves was retained to develop the master tree planting program. He supervised the work from a cabin nestled in eucalyptus trees near Sunset Boulevard and Alpine Drive, across the street from the old Beverly Hills Nursery.
Relatively far from downtown Los Angeles, the Rodeo Land and Water Company’s original development proved sluggish. Like many other boom towns at the turn-of-the-century, Beverly Hills needed a large resort hotel to establish its reputation as a high-end. In 1911, the Rodeo Land and Water Company, in conjunction with businesswoman and socialite Margaret J. Anderson, commissioned renowned architect Elmer Grey to design the Beverly Hills Hotel, which quickly became the “glamorous heart of the Beverly Hills community”6. Shortly afterwards, in 1914, concern over establishment of a secure water system and the desire to improve the local school system prompted incorporation of the City of Beverly Hills. The original boundaries of the City were much the same as they are today, except for the area south of Wilshire Boulevard, annexed in 1915, and the Trousdale Estates, annexed in 1955. Most of the City was open land at the time of incorporation, with development scattered around Canon Drive, Beverly Drive, Crescent Drive, and the downtown triangle.
The architecture of Beverly Hills in the years immediately following the City’s founding in the first two decades of the 20th century was dominated by the Craftsman, Mission Revival, and other Period Revival styles (Tudor, Georgian, and Beaux-Arts Classicism). Burton Green’s residence, which was located on the northwest corner of Lexington Road and Oxford Way, was completed in 1914 in the Tudor Revival style. The Max Whittier house (1916), formerly at the northwest corner of Alpine Drive and Sunset Boulevard and now demolished, was among the earliest versions of an Italian Renaissance Villa in the City.
Development of Beverly Hills and Establishment of the Movie Colony (1920– 1945) 7
In 1920, the City of Beverly Hills was a largely vacant area retaining vestiges of its rural past, and a city in transition. During the 1920s, Beverly Hills became a haven for movie stars who joined powerful figures who formed the City, such as real estate magnates and oil industrials Max Whittier, who founded Associated Oil Company, a predecessor to today’s Shell Oil, and Burton 6 "Beverly Hills Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA," Paul Revere Williams Project, N.D., https://www.paulrwilliamsproject.org/gallery/beverly-hills-hotel-beverly-hills-ca/. 7 PCR Services Corporation, Historic Resources Survey Report: City of Beverly Hills, City of Beverly Hills, 2004, 11-15.
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Green, President of the Rodeo Land and Water Company. While much of the City’s architecture from the inter-war period is indistinguishable from that of other affluent neighborhoods in California, it was during this period that a unique architectural identity emerged in Beverly Hills in connection with the Movie Colony. Exhibiting a definite element of self-expression and theatricality, estates such as Pickfair, Dias Dorados, and Greenacres established a standard quickly followed in varying degrees of extravagance by silent film stars Charles Chaplin, Tom Mix, Buster Keaton, Gloria Swanson and Pola Negri. The influence of set design was particularly apparent in the Spadena House, designed by Henry Oliver in 1921 as a movie set and office, and later moved to its present location at Carmelita Avenue and Walden Drive. Prominent architects such as Gordon Kaufmann, Wallace Neff, and Robert Farquhar provided architectural villas for movie moguls and producers. Master architect Paul R. Williams designed and remodeled approximately 300 residences in Beverly Hills in variants of the Period Revival style.
The 1920s was a highly eclectic and architecturally exuberant period in Beverly Hills. By the end of the decade, development of the downtown area had been completed and local residential development had risen in response to an increase in population from 700 people in 1920 to 12,000 in 1926. During the ensuing decade, the architectural character of Beverly Hills as we know it today was established. Commercial development in the downtown core and multi-family development in the area south of Wilshire and Santa Monica Boulevards completed the transformation of the City from a semi-rural into an urban environment. Stylistically, residential architecture ranged from the Spanish Colonial Revival and Period Revival styles (Tudor, French, Georgian, Colonial, and Mediterranean) through Art Deco and Streamline Moderne.
During the mid-1930s, Beverly Hills became one of the areas of Southern California most closely identified with the Hollywood Regency style, a marriage between the elegance of early 19th century idioms and sophisticated Moderne stylized forms. During the 1940s, Mansard roofs became popular with decorators who admired the work of John Woolf at the Chisolm (520 N.
Beverly Drive) and Pendleton (1032 N. Beverly Drive) houses.8 American Colonial Revival Architecture (1890–1955)
The American Colonial Revival style was widespread for many decades in the United States, first becoming popular circa 1880 and continuing to be a common style until circa 1955. 9 The style
harkens to America’s colonial past, most commonly referencing the Georgian and Federal styles, which “formed the backbone of the Revival.”10 Frequently, homes in the Colonial Revival style combine details of multiple colonial styles, resulting in eclectic mixture of varied design elements and features rather than pure copies of older colonial homes.
The American Colonial Revival style originated at the Philadelphia Centennial in 1876, which sparked an intense interest in the architectural heritage of colonial America, specifically the English and Dutch houses along the East Coast. Seminal architects McKim, Mead, White, and Bigelow took a widely publicized tour through New England in 1877 to study original Federal 8 Ibid.
9 Virginia Savage McAlester, A Field Guide to American Houses (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2013), 409. 10 Ibid, 414.
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and Georgian buildings firsthand, eventually executing two early landmark examples of the Colonial Revival style: the Appleton House (1883) located in Lenox, Massachusetts and the Taylor House (1885; demolished) that was located in Newport, Rhode Island prior to its demolition.
11 While these high-style examples contributed to the popularity of the style, many early American Colonial residences were not historically correct in their proportions. More often, early examples of the style were conglomerations of several colonial precedents. This began to change in the first several decades of the 20th century, as photographs and plan details of original colonial homes became increasingly accessible due to publications such as the White Pine Series of Architectural Monographs. Access to this information prompted the construction of more historically accurate revival residences, most notably between 1920 and 1930. It was still common, however, for American Colonial Revival houses to feature an eclectic mixture of elements throughout the style’s history.12 The style was often simplified in examples from 1930 to 1950 due to the Depression, World War II, changing technology for building construction, and changing fashion.13 The style was wildly popular and dominated domestic building in the United States for many years. Between 1910 and 1930 approximately 40% of houses in the United States were built in the American Colonial Revival style. The style remained popular after the conclusion of World War II and continued to be built post-1945, although far less frequently.14 The American Colonial Style was a common and popular style in Beverly Hills, and many famous and powerful residents opted to build their homes in the style. According to the 1985-1986 historic resources survey conducted for the City of Beverly Hills, the American Colonial Revival style is the “style most closely associated with Beverly Hills.”15 An early example is the residence at 1006 Crescent Drive, originally constructed in 1911 for Elizabeth Thomas (Figure 3; extant).16 Hollywood power brokers, such as David O. Selznick and Jack L. Warner, commissioned Beverly Hills mansions in the American Colonial Revival style (Figure 4). Both of these estates were designed by architect Roland Coate.17 Warner’s 1936 estate is still extant and is adjacent to the subject property. Samuel Goldwyn also constructed a Colonial Revival home in Beverly Hills, which was designed by Douglas Honnold.18 Additional architecturally notable examples of the style, which were called out in the 1985-1986 City survey, include the residence at 515 North Canon Drive (Figure 5; extant) and 711 North Canon Drive (Figure 6; extant).
Although the style was applied to large estates, it was also applied to more modest single and multifamily residences throughout Beverly Hills. Further examples of the style include the residence at 11 Ibid.
12 Ibid, 432.
13 Ibid.
14 Ibid, 414 and 432.
15 Johnson Heumann Research Associates, Beverly Hills Historic Resources Survey, Prepared for the City of Beverly Hills (1985-1986), 40.
16 Ibid.
17 Ibid, 46.
18 Ibid, 45.
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1717 Chevy Chase Drive (Figure 7); the residence at 1614 Chevy Chase Drive (Figure 8); and the residence at 621 North Beverly Drive (Figure 9).
The American Colonial Revival style has several character defining features. These features include: a symmetrical façade; a simple rectangular footprint; typically, one or two stories in height; hipped or gable roofs, often with boxed eaves; cladding of clapboard or brick; an accentuated front door, often with a pediment, that is supported by slender columns to form an entry porch; classical detailing such as columns, engaged piers, cornices, pilasters, pediments, and porticos; roof dormers; pediments, columns, or pilasters; and fixed shutters; doors with overhead fanlights or sidelights; windows with double hung sashes;.19 910 N. Roxbury Drive HRA / D202200010.00
SOURCE: Realtor.com Figure 3
An early example of an American Colonial Revival residence at 1006 Crescent Drive in Beverly Hills, originally constructed in 1911 (extant) 19 Character defining features were consolidated from several sources, including: McAlester, A Field Guide, 409 and GPA Consulting, "Los Angeles Citywide Historic Context Statement: American Colonial Revival, 1895-1960," prepared for the City of Los Angeles Department of Planning, December 2015, https://planning.lacity.org/odocument/d26d7637-d6da-4466-aa74- 992d63a284dc/American%20Colonial%20Revival%2012-2-15_0.pdf, 15.
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SOURCE: Peter Kiefer, "David O. Selznick’s
Former Beverly Hills Estate Lists for
$19.9M," The Hollywood Reporter,
February 21, 2017,
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/life
style/lifestyle-news/david-o-selznicksbeverly-hills-estate-lists-199m977509/.
Figure 4
2017 photograph of the former David Selznick estate, designed in the American Colonial Revival style by Roland Coates. 910 N. Roxbury Drive HRA / D202200010.00
SOURCE: Google Maps Figure 5
American Colonial Revival residence at 510 Canon Drive, Beverly Hills.
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SOURCE: Google Maps Figure 6
American Colonial Revival residence at 711 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills.
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SOURCE: Google Maps Figure 7
American Colonial Revival residence at 1717 Chevy Chase Drive. .
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SOURCE: Google Maps Figure 8
American Colonial Revival residence at 621 North Beverly Drive. 910 N. Roxbury Drive HRA / D202200010.00
SOURCE: Google Maps Figure 9
American Colonial Revival residence at 1716 Chevy Chase Drive.
Development, Construction, and Occupancy History
Tract 4160 Development (1926 – 1950)
The subject property sits on lot 17 of Tract 4160 in Beverly Hills, California. The tract has remained residential since its original subdivision in 1921, having first been developed with large, single-family homes in various Period Revival styles popular at the time of its initial development. The tract developed most rapidly between approximately 1926 and 1950, at which point nearly all lots in the tract had been improved with residences. More recently, parcels within Historical Resources Assessment
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the tract have been redeveloped with contemporary single-family residences and many historic homes have also been substantially altered. The full tract map is included in Appendix B.
Although the tract was subdivided in 1921, the first available Sanborn map from 1922 (Figure 10) shows the no residences had been constructed on the portion of Roxbury on which the subject property sits. The next Sanborn map, from 1926 (Figure 11) shows that 14 residences on Roxbury Drive had been developed. Only seven lots remained open, including the future site of the subject property. A historic photograph from 1928 taken at the corner of North Roxbury Drive and Sunset Boulevard, approximately 0.20 miles from the subject property, portrays the general area in this period – there are scattered residences, but the majority of the area remained undeveloped open land (Figure 12).
Ten years later, in 1938, an aerial photograph shows that most of the lots directly surrounding the subject property on Roxbury and adjacent streets had been developed, including the subject property itself (Figure 13). There were still some scattered open lots in the adjacent streets and substantial open land to the west. Only three lots were developed on Whitter Drive, located directly to the south of the subject property at this time.
Densification of the neighborhood continued in the next ten years. By 1948, an aerial photograph (Figure 14) shows that all but two lots on Roxbury Drive had also been improved with singlefamily residences. Three more lots were developed on Whitter by this time, although the majority of lots remained undeveloped.
The 1950 Sanborn map of the area shows that all the lots immediately surrounding the subject property, except the southernmost lot on the block, had been developed (Figure 15). This is confirmed by a 1953 aerial photograph showing the density of the neighborhood (Figure 16).
Roxbury Drive was fully developed by this time and Whittier only had a handful of open lots. An aerial photograph from 1964 (Figure 17) shows increased densification. During this period, the character of the tract remained consistently residential. Aerial photographs from 1977 (Figure 18) and 1994 (Figure 19) show no major changes in the character of the tract, save for some demolition of older homes in favor of new construction.
This trend continued into the 21st century, with the tract remaining residential, albeit with the increased prevalence of large, contemporary single-family residential redevelopment, visible in aerial photographs from 2005 (Figure 20) and 2016 (Figure 21). Some of these new residences include the residences at 1019 (built in 2007) and 1021 (built in 2015) North Roxbury Drive, as well as slightly earlier new construction including 914 North Roxbury Drive (built in 1998) and 907 North Roxbury Drive (built in 1985), among others.20 Today, the area remains residential with a mix of historic early 20th-century single-family homes, altered historic homes, and more recently constructed single-family homes. A historic resources survey conducted by the City in 1985 notes that the1000 and 900 block of North Roxbury Drive, 20 Dates of construction for these residences comes from the Los Angeles County Assessor’s Office online portal.
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on which the subject property sits, were “representative of…Beverly Hills’ identification with the entertainment industry” due to containing “several homes with famous associations.”21 910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: EDR 2022 Figure 10
1922 Sanborn map of the area, future location of the
subject property outlined in red.
21 Johnson Heumann Research Associates, Beverly Hills Historic Resources Survey, Prepared for the City of Beverly Hills (1985–1986), 46.
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SOURCE: EDR 2022 Figure 11
1926 Sanborn map of the area, future location of the subject property outlined in red. By this time, many houses on Roxbury had been constructed although open lots remained as well.
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910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: University of Southern
California Online Archives Figure 12
Corner of North Roxbury Drive and Sunset Boulevard, approximately
0.20 miles from the subject property, 1928.
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SOURCE: EDR 2022 Figure 13
1938 aerial photograph of the area, location of the subject property outlined in red.
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SOURCE: EDR 2022 Figure 14
1948 aerial photograph of the area, location of the subject property outlined in red.
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910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: EDR 2022 Figure 15
1950 Sanborn map of the area, subject property outlined in red.
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910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: EDR 2022 Figure 16
1953 aerial photograph of the area, location of the subject property outlined in red. 910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: EDR 2022 Figure 17
1964 aerial photograph of the area, location of the subject property outlined in red.
Historical Resources Assessment
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910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: EDR 2022 Figure 18
1977 aerial photograph of the area, location of the subject property outlined in red. 910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: EDR 2022 Figure 19
1994 aerial photograph of the area, location of the subject property outlined in red.
Historical Resources Assessment
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910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: EDR 2022 Figure 20
2005 aerial photograph of the area, location of the subject property outlined in red. 910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: EDR 2022 Figure 21
2016 aerial photograph of the area, location of the subject property outlined in red.
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Construction History
A construction history of the subject property was developed using building permits on file with the City’s Building and Safety department, aerial photographs, Sanborn maps, and photographs from the 1984–1985 renovation to the house, provided by the client. Results are summarized in Table 1, below. Building permits are included in Appendix C.
The subject property has undergone extensive alterations over the years, substantially changing its appearance and footprint several times, as elaborated upon below. Notably, the primary west elevation has had three distinct designs: its original 1934 appearance (Figure 22 and 23) which remained extant until at least 1950 (Figure 24); its appearance for the majority of the 20th century (post 1950 but pre-1984) (Figures 27–31); and its appearance after the 1984–1985 renovation, which remains to the present day (Figures 33–43).
The original building permit issued March 23, 1934, describes a two-story, wood-frame single family residence clad in brick and stucco with a concrete foundation, brick chimneys and shingled roof. The permit lists E.P. Dentzel as both the original owner and contractor and Robert V. Derrah as the architect. The valuation for the residence was $20,000. A complementary permit was issued the same day in March for a one-story five-car garage and storm room with concrete foundation, wood framing, and plaster interior walls.
The original plans for the subject property from 1934 (previously referenced Figures 22 and 23) show the design of the primary west elevation and on its rear east elevation. The home originally had a metal lattice canopy with metal roof outside its front door on both the west and east elevations. A 1950 photograph of the home from the Los Angeles Times (previously referenced Figure 24) show that the home still resembled its original appearance at this time. Seven years later, a real estate advertisement for the subject property in the Los Angeles Times (Figure 25) describes the home’s exterior as “white painted brick.” The residence is no longer painted; the bricks are uncoated and appear to have been sandblasted.
Permits were issued in 1968 for the construction of a swimming pool and a trellis in the east rear yard, and the conversion of portions of the garage into a playroom. Four years later, in 1971, a permit was issued to replace windows on the home. Solar heating was installed, and the kitchen was remodeled in 1976.
Major alterations occurred to the residence between 1983 and 1985, reflected in building permits, as well as in photographs provided by the owner. Photographs of the home prior to the renovation (previously referenced Figures 27–31) show that the home had already substantially changed from its original 1934 design. The home’s primary west façade, for example, now had two-story columns above its front entry and its original metal lattice canopy over the front door was no longer extant.
In December 1983, a permit was issued for interior and exterior non-load bearing demolition. A drawing with a 1984 building permit shows the location of major alterations (Figure 26), including the construction of a new breezeway, first and second-story additions on the rear east elevation, additions to the garage at the east elevation. The following permits were issued in Historical Resources Assessment
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1984: a new driveway, construction of two trellises, alterations and addition to detached garage / recreation building, and construction of a six-foot six-inch concrete block wall on the north property line.
In 1985, a permit was issued for interior and exterior demolition. Photographic documentation showing the process and outcome of these renovations is visible in Figures 32–43 below. Major changes include the stylistic change of the primary west elevation including a new front gable, classical frontispiece, steps and porch (Figures 33 and 34); landscaping changes on the west, east, and south yards; addition of a breezeway; alterations to the south elevation, including a square footage addition as well as additions of chimneys and bay windows; the complete remodeling of the current pool house at the easternmost rear of the lot; an extension of the garage at the east elevation; additions to the first and second floors of the east elevation that included the addition of new windows, a new double-height lobby with glass double leaf-doors and large floor-to-ceiling window above, and new siding; and the addition of the east rear brick patio and pathways. After the renovation, the home retained little original material or design visible in the previously referenced 1934 drawings.
Additional changes were made to the residence in 1991, when the pool house was remodeled to a wine cellar which involved demolishing an interior wall. Eight years later, another permit was issued to convert a portion of the garage into a wine cellar. In 2010, the wood shingles on the guest house were replaced with CedarLite shingles. In 2018, an interior elevator was added; 12 windows were replaced; the gutters were replaced on the roof; and water damaged siding and trim at the front entry and rear was replaced.
TABLE 1
910 NORTH ROXBURY DRIVE BUILDING PERMITS
BEVERLY HILLS BUILDING AND SAFETY DEPARTMENT BUILDING PERMITS22 Issued Location
Permit
Number Owner
Contractor (C) or
Architect (A)
Engineer (E) Valuation ($) Description
3/24/1934 910 N Roxbury
Drive
12531 E.P. Dentzel R. V. Derrah (A); E.P.
Dentzel (C)
$20,000 Construct a two story
wood frame and brick
and stucco singlefamily residence
3/24/1934 910 N Roxbury
Drive
18532 E.P. Dentzel R. V. Derrah (A); E.P.
Dentzel (C
$500 1-story, five--car
garage and storm
room with concrete
foundation, wood
framing, and plaster
interior walls.
1968 910 N Roxbury
Drive
680311 Kent Landsberg Rolla Wichite (A);
Herman Goodman (E);
Shoffen Pools Inc (C)
$5,800 Private swimming
pool
1968 910 N Roxbury
Drive
680386 Kent Landsberg W.B. Nelson (C) $2,100 Build Trellis; convert portions of garage to
playroom.
3/6/1972 910 N Roxbury
Drive
720225 Kent Landsberg Fordyce S. Marsh
Company (C)
$560 Replace windows
22 Documentation for all permits in this table can be found in Appendix C of this report.
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Issued Location
Permit
Number Owner
Contractor (C) or
Architect (A)
Engineer (E) Valuation ($) Description
9/20/1976 910 N Roxbury
Drive
760745 Kent Landsberg FAFCO Los Angeles
(C)
$1,785 Solar heating system
10/1/1976 910 N Roxbury
Drive
761036 Mr. and Mrs.
Landsberg
Giovanni Uriu (A); MFS
Builders (C)
$20,000 Kitchen remodel
12/5/1983 910 N Roxbury
Drive
831705 Mr. and Mrs.
Alan D. Levy
Frode Holm & Son
Construction (C); Clair
Earl Associates (A)
$5,000 Interior and exterior
non-loadbearing
demolition
3/24/1984 910 N Roxbury
Drive
840436 Mr. and Mrs.
Alan D. Levy
Frode Holm & Son
Construction (C); Clair
Earl Associates (A)
$18,000 Alterations and
addition to detached
garage / recreation
building
8/10/1984 910 N Roxbury
Drive
840131 Mr. and Mrs.
Alan D. Levy
Frod Holm (C) $65,000 Alterations and
additions; 2-story
addition
10/10/1984 910 N Roxbury
Drive
841405 Mr. and Mrs.
Alan D. Levy
Frode Holm (C); Clair
Earl Associates (A)
$4,000 Trellis #1
10/10/1984 910 N Roxbury
Drive
841406 Mr. and Mrs.
Alan D. Levy
Frode Holm (C); Clair
Earl Associates (A)
$2,500 Trellis #2
10/10/1984 910 N Roxbury
Drive
841407 Mr. and Mrs.
Alan D. Levy
Frode Holm (C); Clair
Earl Associates (A)
$2,700 6’6” concrete block
wall on north property
line
10/13/1984 910 N Roxbury
Drive
841581 Mr. and Mrs.
Alan D. Levy
Frode Holm (C) $6,000 New driveway
2/14/1985 910 N Roxbury
Drive
831705 Mr. and Mrs.
Alan D. Levy
Frode Holm (C) $5,000 Interior and exterior
demolition, nonstructural
9/29/1991 910 N Roxbury
Drive
91004277 Alan D. Levy Country Homes (C) $7,000 Remodel pool house rooms to wine cellar.
Remove a nonbearing interior 9'-9"
long wall and
reconstruct same wall
3'-0 away from
original position.
12/02/1999 910 N Roxbury
Drive
BS9900262 None listed Cellar Masters Inc. (C) $16,973 Convert portion of 2- car garage in pool
house to wine cellar
8/05/2010 910 N Roxbury
Drive
BS101843 None listed Built Well Roof and
Material Company (C)
$10,500 Tear off old wood
shingles on guest
house and install 18
square feet of
cedarlite shingle.
4/16/2018 910 N Roxbury
Drive
BS1805571 None listed William McCarthy (E);
Franco Noravian (C)
$40,000 Construct new interior
elevator
5/20/2018 910 N Roxbury
Drive
BS1808126 None listed Finest Finish
Construction (C)
$20,000 Replace 12 windows
in existing frame and
roof repair to replace
gutters
5/21/2018 910 N Roxbury
Drive
BS1807626 None listed Finest Finish
Construction (C)
$7,500 Replace water
damaged siding and
trim at front entry and
rear
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910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: Drawer 361, Flat, File 51, Robert Vincent Derrah Papers at the University of California Santa Barbara
Museum of Art and Architecture
Figure 22
Original 1934 drawing of the primary west elevation by Robert Vincent Derrah.
910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: Drawer 361, Flat, File 51, Robert Vincent Derrah Papers at the University of California Santa Barbara Museum of Art and Architecture
Figure 23
Original 1934 drawing of the rear east elevation by Robert Vincent Derrah.
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910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: "An Important Estate Auction," Los Angeles
Times, August 13, 1950. Figure 24
1957 photograph of the primary west elevation of the
residence from the Los Angeles Times, showing that the
home still had its original metal lattice canopy which was later removed.
910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: "Beverly Hills Property: 910 N. Roxbury Drive," Los Angeles Times, October 20, 1957 Figure 25
1957 advertisement for the residence stating it had white brick cladding. The residence is currently unpainted.
910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: Beverly Hills Department of Building and Safety Figure 26 1984 drawing of alterations to the residence,
landscaping, and garage addition, outlined in red.
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910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: Jubin Niamehr Figure 27
1984 photograph of the residence prior to the 1984-1985 alterations that gave it its current appearance. By the time this photograph was taken, the residence had already changed from its original 1934 design, including the addition of large pillars and removal of the metal lattice canopy outside the main entrance. The front yard’s landscaping has also changed since this time. View to the east
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910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: Jubin Niamehr Figure 28
1984 photograph of the residence’s west elevation and driveway prior to the 1984-1985 alterations that gave the home its current appearance.
Prior to the 1984-1985 renovations, the residence did not have its current breezeway, which was added.. View to the east.
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910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: Jubin Niamehr Figure 29
1984 photograph of the residence’s rear east elevation prior to the 1984- 1985 alterations. The home’s original metal lattice canopy at the west elevation was still extant at the time this photograph was taken but was removed as a result of the 1984-1985 renovation. View to the west.
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910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: Jubin Niamehr Figure 30
1984 photograph of the residence’s rear east elevation prior to alterations. View to the north.
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910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: Jubin Niamehr Figure 31
1984 photograph of the pool house prior to the 1984-1985 renovations. View to the east.
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910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: Jubin Niamehr Figure 32
1984 photograph showing the beginning of the 1984-1985 renovations to the primary west elevation. View to the east.
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910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: Jubin Niamehr Figure 33
1984 photograph showing progress of alterations to the primary west elevation. View to the east.
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910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: Jubin Niamehr Figure 34
1984 photograph showing progress of renovations on the primary west elevation and the south elevation. View to the east.
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910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: Jubin Niamehr Figure 35
1984 photograph showing alterations to the south elevation, including an expansion and the addition of second floor bay windows and closure of a first-floor window. View to the east.
Historical Resources Assessment
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910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: Jubin Niamehr Figure 36
1984 photograph showing completed primary west elevation and south elevation with new landscaping. This is how the house currently appears. Note the new front gable, classical frontispiece, steps and porch. View to the east.
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910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: Jubin Niamehr Figure 37
Circa 1984-1985 photographs showing the before and
after of the breezeway (currently extant). View to the
east.
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910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: Jubin Niamehr Figure 38
1984 photograph showing additions to the garage at the east and north elevations of the subject property. View to the north.
Historical Resources Assessment
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910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: Jubin Niamehr Figure 39
1984 photograph showing the construction progress to the east and north elevations at the rear of the subject property, including first and second-story additions, window changes, and a new double-height entrance. View to the northwest.
Historical Resources Assessment
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910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: Jubin Niamehr Figure 40
1984 photograph showing the construction progress to the east and north elevations of the subject property. View to the west.
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910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: Jubin Niamehr Figure 41
1984 photograph showing the construction progress to the east and north elevation of the subject property, view to the west.
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910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: Jubin Niamehr Figure 42
Circa 1984-1985 photograph showing in-progress (top)
and completed (bottom) alterations to the current pool
house. View to the east.
Historical Resources Assessment
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910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: Jubin Niamehr Figure 43
1984 photograph showing the construction of the brick patio and pathway at the east yard. View to the southwest.
Architect: Robert V. Derrah (1895-1946)
Robert Vincent Derrah, included on Beverly Hills’ List of Local Master Architects, was active in the Los Angeles area in from the 1920s until his death in 1946. A master architect is defined by the Beverly Hills Municipal Code as "an architect of widely recognized greatness in the field of architecture whose individual genius influenced his or her age." 23 Derrah designed many notable
structures in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles at large and is particularly well remembered for his Streamline Moderne commercial designs.
Born in Salt Lake City in 1895, Derrah and spent his childhood in Utah. His father was S.V.
Derrah, who was affiliated with the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad in Salt Lake City.
Robert Derrah attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University before moving to the Beverly Hills area circa 1924, where he established his architectural firm Derrah & Associates.24
23 Beverly Hills List of Local Master Architects, adopted by the Cultural Heritage Commission 10-14-15, Revised 7- 10-19. Version 3.1.
24 "Prominent Architect Robert V. Derrah Passes," Los Angeles Times, October 10, 1946.
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Derrah designed many buildings in the Los Angeles area and is mostly remembered for his commercial work, notably including the a 1941 addition to the Southern California Gas Company Building originally constructed in 1924 by Parkinson & Parkinson located at 820 Flower Street in downtown Los Angeles (Figure 44; extant; Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument #789); the Streamline Moderne Coca Cola Bottling Plant located at 1334 South Central Avenue in Los Angeles (Figure 45; 1936; extant; Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument #134); and the Streamline Moderne Cinecolor building located 2800 West Olive Avenue in Burbank, California (Figure 46; 1939; extant with alterations).25 His most well-known work was Crossroads of the World (Figure 47; 1936; extant; Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument #138; listed on the National Register), a large outdoor mall. Its central feature is a Streamline Moderne building designed to resemble a ship with buildings designed in various North American and Period Revival styles selling merchandise from around the world.26 Derrah also designed residences in Beverly Hills and the greater Los Angeles area, often in popular Period Revival styles. A selected list of residential projects designed by Derrah is included below in Table 2. Notably, Derrah collaborated with E.P. Dentzel on multiple residential projects in Beverly Hills, several of which were on Roxbury Drive. These projects, which are also listed in the below table, include: 514 N. Linden Drive (Demolished); 721 North Roxbury Drive (extant with alterations); and the American Colonial Revival home at 816 North Roxbury Drive (extant; intact).
Derrah was married to Elizabeth Moretown Derrah. The couple had one daughter, Bettie Jensen.
Derrah also served as the President of the Southern California Institute of Architects during his life.
27 Derrah died of a heart attack at his residence at 452 Smithwood Drive in Beverly Hills in 1946 at the age of 51. 28
25 A search of the Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals at Columbia University identified four articles pertaining to Derrah and his work. The first two articles were obituaries from 1946. The other two articles are as follows:
"Coca Cola Bottling Company Plant, Los Angeles," Abitare, Vol. 192, n 45, March 1981.; "The Building with a Sparkle: Coca Cola Warehouse, Pasadena, California," Architectural Concrete, Vol. 3, n. 2, 1937. 26 "Crossroads of the World / Hollywood Reporter Building," Los Angeles Conservancy, N.D., https://www.laconservancy.org/issues/crossroads-world-hollywood-reporter-building. 27 "Robert Vincent Derrah," Desert News, October 10, 1946. 28 "Prominent Architect Robert V. Derrah Passes," Los Angeles Times, October 10, 1946.
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910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: Los Angeles Public Library Figure 44
Undated historic photograph of the Southern California
Gas Company building located at 820 Flower Street in
downtown Los Angeles, CA.
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910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: Los Angeles Public Library Figure 45
1939 image of the Streamline Moderne Coca Cola
bottling plant at 1334 South Central Avenue in Los
Angeles, designed by Robert Derrah.
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910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: Los Angeles Public Library Figure 46
Historic photograph of the Streamline Moderne Cinecolor building located at 2800 West Olive Avenue Burbank, California and designed by Robert Derrah in 1939.
Historical Resources Assessment
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910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: Los Angeles Public Library Figure 47
Crossroads of the World in Los Angeles, designed by
Robert Derrah in 1936.
TABLE 2
SELECTED SINGLE AND MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES DESIGNED BY ROBERT V. DERRAH IN
BEVERLY HILLS
Date Address Image Extant? Source
Undated 510 N. Arden
Drive, Beverly
Hills
Yes Finding Aid for the Robert Vincent
Derrah papers, circa 1929-circa 1942
at the University of California Santa
Barbara,
https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/1303
0/c8nc6065/entire_text/.
Image source: Google Maps
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Date Address Image Extant? Source
Undated E.P. Dentzel
House
721 N. Roxbury,
Beverly Hills
Extant with
alterations
Finding Aid for the Robert Vincent
Derrah Papers.
Image source: Google Maps
1934 Robert Gortner
House
705 N. Maple
Drive, Beverly
Hills
Yes Finding Aid for the Robert Vincent
Derrah Papers.
Image source: Google Maps
1934 Hope Neaves
Hosue
1720 Chevy
Chase Drive,
Beverly Hills
Yes Finding Aid for the Robert Vincent
Derrah Papers.
Image source: Google Maps
1935 E.P. Dentzel
House
816 North
Roxbury Drive,
Beverly Hills
American Colonial
Revival
Yes Finding Aid for the Robert Vincent
Derrah Papers.
Image source: Google Maps
1935 E.P. Dentzel
Apartments
9936-9942 Durant
Drive
American Colonial
Revival
Yes Finding Aid for the Robert Vincent
Derrah Papers.
Image source: Google Maps
Historical Resources Assessment
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Date Address Image Extant? Source
1936-1940 Duplex at 452
Smithwood Drive,
Beverly Hills
Yes Finding Aid for the Robert Vincent
Derrah Papers.
Image source: Google Maps
1937 702 N. Walden
Drive, Beverly
Hills
Yes,
according to
Los Angeles
County
Assessor
Portal. Image
is blurred on
Google Maps.
Finding Aid for the Robert Vincent
Derrah Papers.
Image source: Google Maps
1939 Charlie Chaplin
House
1085 Summit
Drive, Beverly
Hills
Yes Finding Aid for the Robert Vincent
Derrah Papers.
Image source: Los Angeles Public
Library
1939 John Wilhelm
House
510 Walden
Drive, Beverly
Hills
Yes Finding Aid for the Robert Vincent
Derrah Papers.
Image source: Google Maps
Historical Resources Assessment
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Occupancy History
Table 3 below summarizes the occupancy and ownership history of 910 North Roxbury Drive.
Beverly Hills–area directories and phone books, building permits on file with the City of Beverly Hill’s Building Division, as well as U.S. Census data and other records were reviewed to determine if the subject property has any significant associations with the productive lives of historic personages.
The original owner of the subject property, according to a building permit from 1934, was E.P.
Dentzel whose life and career is described below. A brief description of all subsequent occupants is included in the “Notes” column below and in more depth after the biograph of E.P. Dentzel.
TABLE 3
OCCUPANCY HISTORY OF 910 NORTH ROXBURY DRIVE
Year Owner / Occupant Source Notes
1934 – 1945 E.P Dentzel Original 1934 building permit Contractor, builder, real estate developer and former mayor of Beverly Hills
1945 - 1950 Irene Gasper Mather "Estate Auction: Irene Gasper Mather," Oakland Tribune, August 27, 1950.
Widow of Alonzo Mathers, who invented
the cattle car. Moved to this residence
after the death of her husband. Irene was
a philanthropist.
1950 Joseph Stacher "Action Studied in Tax Case," Los Angeles Times, July 9, 1950.
Listed as part owner of a Hollywood night
club in 1950. Joseph Stacher was a
prolific organized crime figure who was
indicted by the Feds in 1963.
Circa 1953 -
1954
Mr. and Mrs. William
S. Seward
"Lt. Comdr. W. Seward," Los Angeles Times,
December 6, 1953.
William Seward was an officer in the U.S.
Navy Reserve and attended Stanford
University.
1958 – circa
1976
Kent and Leila
Landsberg
Pacific Telephone; building permits Kent Landsberg founded the Kent H.
Landsberg Company, a paper and
plastics manufacturing and distribution
company. Leila appears to have been a
socialite and philanthropist.
1984 – 2021 Mr. and Mrs. Alan D.
Levy
Building permits;
https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomesdetail/910-N-Roxbury-Dr_BeverlyHills_CA_90210_M25851-32793 Real estate article says “available for the
first time in 38 years.”
Chairman of Tishman Corporation,
commercial real estate firm.
Original Owner and Contractor: Edward Paul (E.P.) Dentzel (1881–1961) Edward Paul (E.P.) Dentzel was a builder, real estate developer and contractor responsible for the development more than 100 homes in Beverly Hills and the greater Los Angeles area.29 He was married to Emma Dentzel and the couple had two sons: William, a lawyer, and Carl, former longtime director of the Southwest Museum.30 E.P. Dentzel lived in the subject property from 1934 until approximately 1945.
29 Melanie Anderson, "Council Kids: How do Former Mayors Live on After They're Gone?," Beverly Hills Courier, March 7, 2012.
30 "Rites Held for Former Mayor E.P. Dentzel," Valley News, April 2, 1961.
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E.P. Dentzel was born in Philadelphia in 1881 and was a third-generation carousal artisan.31 His grandfather, Michael Dentzel, was a German inventor who created the carousal. E.P.’s father, Gustav Dentzel, immigrated from Germany to Philadelphia in the 1860s and continued the family business in the United States, installing the first carousel at an American amusement park in Philadelphia. At this time, he opened the Dentzel Factory and crafted wooden carousals for amusement parks throughout the country.32 E.P. worked in the family business for many years, moving to California in 1909, where he built and opened carousals in Venice, Ocean Park and Santa Monica, and later for the Panama Pacific Exposition in 1915.33 After this work, E.P. was prepared to return to Philadelphia. His wife Emma, however, had "fallen in love with California," according to her daughter-in-law, and wanted to stay.34 The couple opted to remain in Southern California and E.P. turned to real estate development as a career in the 1920s, purchasing swathes of empty land in Beverly Hills and building and selling residences. In 1925, Dentzel’s offices were located at 809 Camden Drive in Beverly Hills.35 Most active between approximately 1924 and 1940, Dentzel built dozens of primarily singlefamily residences in Beverly Hills and the greater Los Angeles area. He is perhaps most wellknown for the Italian Renaissance Style residence Green Acres (1929; listed on the National Register), designed by master architect Sumner Spaulding for silent film start Harold Lloyd.36 In addition to residences throughout Beverly Hills, Dentzel also notably built many residences designed by master architect Paul Revere Williams. These residences include the Tudor style home at 2201 La Mesa Drive in Santa Monica for Ella May Warfield (1939) and a Period Revival style home at 814 Roxbury Drive in Beverly Hills for Mr. and Mrs. Irving S. Mitzler (1937). 37 Dentzel also constructed Hacienda Village (now Gonzaque Village) located at 1515 105th Street in Los Angeles (extant). The project was completed in 1942 and received special approval for construction during wartime, as it was intended to house defense workers who were living in substandard housing. Multiple architects, including Paul Revere Williams, Welton Becket, Adrian Wilson, Walter Wuderman, and Richard Neutra among others, worked on the 17.63-acre public housing project.38 Table 4 includes a photograph of these projects, as well as other projects built by Dentzel in Beverly Hills and the Los Angeles area.
31 "E.P. Dentzel Succumbs," Los Angeles Mirror, March 31, 1961. 32 City of Meridian, "Dentzel Carousal," N.D., https://www.meridianms.org/city-departments/parks-andrecreation/dentzel-carousel/. 33 "Rites Pending for Beverly Hills Ex-Mayor," Hollywood Citizen News, March 31, 1961; "E.P Dentzel, Ex-Mayor of Beverly Hills, Dies," Los Angeles Times, March 31, 1961. 34 Melanie Anderson. "Council Kids: How do Former Mayors Live on After They're Gone?," Beverly Hills Courier, March 7, 2012.
35 "Advertisement: E.O. Dentzel Builder of Distinguished Homes," Los Angeles Evening Citizen News, May 14, 1925. 36 Historic American Building Survey, Green Acres, 1974, http://lcweb2.loc.gov/master/pnp/habshaer/ca/ca0100/ca0198/data/ca0198data.pdf. 37 Mrs. William S. Warfield Residence, Santa Monica, CA, Paul Williams Project, http://www.paulrwilliamsproject.org/gallery/residence-mrs-w-s-warfield-santa-monica-ca/, accessed January 2, 2014.
Beverly Hills Historic Resources Survey 1985-1986, Citywide Architects List and Builders List. 38 "Hacienda Village, Los Angeles, CA," Paul Revere Williams Project, N.D., https://www.paulrwilliamsproject.org/gallery/hacienda-village-los-angeles-ca/.
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In the 1930s, Dentzel began taking on positions in the local government of Beverly Hills.
Dentzel’s first position was as Treasurer for the City of Beverly Hills. By 1933, Dentzel was appointed a member of the City Council to replace Paul E. Schwab who became mayor of Beverly Hills. Prior to this position, he was the City Treasurer.39 By 1940, Dentzel appears to have largely ceased working in real estate and pivoted to working solely in civic positions.
Dentzel served as mayor of Beverly Hills from 1945 until his retirement in 1948, after he occupied the subject property.
40 Dentzel was also a director of the Metropolitan Water District at indeterminate dates.41 While Dentzel occupied the subject property during his time as Mayor of Beverly Hills, research did not identify any clear association between the subject property and Dentzel’s productive professional period. Further, the house’s current appearance does not resemble its appearance during Dentzel’s inhabitance.
Dentzel occupied a variety of residences in Beverly Hills throughout his life. In 1934, Dentzel’s voter registration listed him as living at 721 North Roxbury Drive.42 Four years later, in 1938, Dentzel’s voter registration lists him as living at the subject property, 910 Roxbury Drive; his voter registration from 1942 also lists him as living at the subject property. 43 By 1945, however,
Dentzel was listed as living at 1707 Tropical Avenue, in Beverly Hills in Pacific Telephone; this inhabitance is confirmed by a 1946 newspaper article.44 According to his obituary in the Los Angeles Times, Dentzel died of a heart attack at the his residence at 1707 Tropical Avenue in 1961.45
When the list of local Beverly Hills master architects was first put together in 2012, Dentzel was included. As of the most recent iteration of the list, last updated by the City in 2019, Dentzel was no longer listed. The List of Local Master Architects was adopted by Beverly Hills City Council in 2012 as part of Resolution No. 3 of Ordinance No. 12-O-2617. This list was created as part of the newly established historic preservation program to comprehensively identify master architects and contractors as one criterion in designating City landmarks and historic districts.46 Compiled by the City’s Cultural Heritage Commission and the City’s historic consultant, Jan Ostashay, the list identified 150 architects and builders—both individuals and companies—who were active in Beverly Hills between 1900 to 1970.47 Three years later, in October of 2015, a Beverly Hills Cultural Heritage Commission Report recommended a substantial revision to the List of Local Master Architects, which involved the “addition of further parties, parties suggested for further 39 "Beverly Hills Names Mayor," Los Angeles Times, March 30, 1933. 40 Austin Conover, "Roaming Around with Austin Conover: Beverly Hills Ex-Mayor Honored," Los Angeles Evening Citizen News, April 24, 1948.; note that while Dentzel’s obituaries in the Los Angeles Times, Hollywood Citizen News, and Valley News state that he served until 1950, official City of Beverly Hills documents and articles from 1948 indicate that his term ended in 1948.
41 “Rites Held for Former Mayor E.P. Dentzel," Valley News, April 2, 1961. 42 1934 voter registration, Ancestry.com. California, U.S., Voter Registrations, 1900-1968 [database on-line]. 43 1938 and 1942 voter registration, Ancestry.com. California, U.S., Voter Registrations, 1900-1968 [database online]. 44 "Dentzel Sworn in as Mayor of Beverly Hills," Hollywood Citizen News, April 17, 1946. 45 "E.P Dentzel, Ex-Mayor of Beverly Hills, Dies," Los Angeles Times, March 31, 1961. 46 City of Beverly Hills Cultural Heritage Commission, “Ordinance No. 12-O-2617, Resolution No. 3: Resolution of the Cultural Heritage Commission of the City of Beverly Hills Recommending that the City Council Adopt a List of Local Master Architects,” City of Beverly Hills, 2012. 47 Matt Lopez, “City OK’s List of Master Architects,” Beverly Hills Courier, January 1, 2010.
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consideration, and parties to be eliminated from the list.”48 It appears Dentzel was removed from the list at this time; he is no longer included on the most current version of the List of Local Master Architects.
TABLE 4
SELECTED PROJECTS BUILT BY E.P. DENTZEL IN BEVERLY HILLS AND THE GREATER LOS ANGELES AREA Address Date Extant? Image Notes / Source
Green Acres
1740 Green
Acres Drive
1928 Yes Historic American Building
Survey, Green Acres, 1974,
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/master/
pnp/habshaer/ca/ca0100/ca
0198/data/ca0198data.pdf.
Designed by Sumner
Spaulding.
Linda Vista
Apartments
939 South
Serrano, Los
Angeles
1933 Yes "Linda Vista Apartments Will
Open," Los Angeles Times,
September 24, 1933.
Apartment building
Image source: Google Maps
48 “Cultural Heritage Commission Report: Revision to List of Local Master Architects,” City of Beverly Hills Planning Division, October 14, 2015.
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Address Date Extant? Image Notes / Source
816 North
Roxbury
Drive, Beverly
Hills
1935 Yes "Residence Cost to be
$23,000," Los Angeles
Times, April 14, 1935.
American Colonial Revival
designed by Robert V.
Derrah.
Image source: Google Maps
626 North
Alpine Drive,
Beverly Hills
1936 Yes "Offerings: Houses," Los
Angeles Times, May 4,
1936.
Image source: Google Maps
268 St. Pierre
Road, Los
Angeles
1936 Appears to
be extant.
"Eight Large Homes Loom,"
Los Angeles Times, June
28, 1936.
Home is largely obscured on
Google Maps.
Image source: Google Maps
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Address Date Extant? Image Notes / Source
814 North
Roxbury
Drive, Beverly
Hills
1938 Yes https://usmodernist.org/pwilli
ams.htm
Designed by Paul Revere
Williams
Image source: Google Maps
826
Greenway
Drive, Beverly
Hills
1938 Yes "A Beverly Hills Estate
Where Stars Were Wed,"
Los Angeles Times,
September 9, 2017.
Image source: Los Angeles
Times
2201 La Mesa
Drive, Santa
Monica
1939 Yes https://usmodernist.org/pwilli
ams.htm
Designed by Paul Revere
Williams
Image source: U.S
Modernist website
7 Oakmont
Drive,
Brentwood
1940 Yes https://usmodernist.org/pwilli
ams.htm
Designed by Paul Revere
Williams
Image Source: US
Modernist website
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Address Date Extant? Image Notes / Source
Hacienda
Village
103rd Street
and Compton
Avenue, Los
Angeles
1942 Yes https://usmodernist.org/pwilli
ams.htm
Designed by Adrian Wilson,
Richard J. Neutra, Walter
Wurdeman, Paul Revere
Williams, and Welton
Becket.
Image Source: US
Modernist website
Subsequent Owners and Occupants of the Subject Property (1945 - 2021) Irene Gasper Mather (occupied the property circa 1945 - circa 1950) Irene Gasper Mather (circa 1881-1950) was the widow of Alonzo Clark Mather, who was a businessman and philanthropist best remembered for manufacturing a railway car for transporting cattle. Mather made his fortune with this invention and founded the Mather Stock Car Company and constructed the Mather Tower in Chicago (extant) to serve as the company's headquarters.49 Alonzo Clark Mather died in 1941, prior to Irene Gasper Mather's occupancy of the subject property. Irene herself appears to have been a philanthropist and socialite, hosting events and donating her fortune to various charitable organizations after her death in 1950.50 Joseph Stacher (occupied the property 1950)
Joseph Stacher (190-1977) was a prominent organized crime figure whose activities focused on illegal gambling. During his life, Stacher also went by the aliases Joe Rosen and Joseph Harris and had an arrest record dating back to 1923.51 When he occupied the subject property, in 1950, he was listed as the partial owner of a Hollywood nightclub.52 He was referred to as a "nationally known hoodlum" in 1953 and also had an interest in the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas, among other ventures.53 He was indicted on tax fraud in 1963 following a federal investigation that was conducted in Boston, New York, Newark, Miami Beach, Las Vegas, Reno, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Clare, Michigan.54
Mr. and Mrs. William S. Seward (occupied the property circa 1953-1954) 49 "New Suit Filed Attacking Will of A.C. Mather," Chicago Tribune, November 19, 1941. 50 "Mrs. Irene Gasper Mather," Chicago Tribune, April 21, 1950. 51 "U.S. Indicts Gambling Figure for Tax Evasion," Los Angeles Times, July 24, 1963. 52 "Action Studied in Tax Case," Los Angeles Times, July 9, 1950. 53 "Joseph Stacher," Nevada State Journal, January 9, 1953; "U.S. Indicts Gambling Figure for Tax Evasion," Los Angeles Times, July 24, 1963.
54 "U.S. Indicts Gambling Figure for Tax Evasion," Los Angeles Times, July 24, 1963.
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William S. Seward (1915-1953) was a Lieutenant commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve. He was born in Los Angeles and reportedly died unexpectedly at the California Club in 1953. Seward reportedly attended Stanford University and was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. He was also a member of the Los Angeles Country Club. His mother was Myrtle S. Seward.
Research, including Google research, searches of Calisphere, Ancestry.com, and Newspapers.com, did not identify additional biographical information about the Sewards.55 Kent and Leila Landsberg (occupied the subject property 1958 – circa 1976) Kent H. Landsberg (1919 - 2000) was the founder of the Kent. H. Landsberg Company. He founded the company in Los Angeles in 1947 and it is still in operation today. The company manufactures and distributes paper and plastic products internationally, including boxes, tape dispensers, and bubble wrap. Prior to starting his company, Kent attended the City College of New York and Stanford University and served as an officer in the Army Air Corp during World War II. He achieved accolades for his professional career including the Lifetime Achievement Award for Management Leadership from the Graduate School of Management at the University of California, Riverside.56 Leila appears to have been a socialite and philanthropist who was at one point active in the Women's Democratic Club of Beverly Hills.57 Alan D. Levy (occupied the subject property 1984 - 2021) Alan D. Levy is the Chairman of Tishman International Companies, a commercial real estate company that acquires, finances, and develops office, retail, warehouses, and mixed-use properties.58 He is involved in philanthropic activities as well, including serving on the Board of Trustees for Harvard-Westlake School, the Executive Committee of the Board of Governors of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, and the Board of Councilors of the University of Southern California School of Social Work.59
Evaluation
Architectural Description
The subject property (Figure 48) is a two-story, single-family home in a quiet residential neighborhood in Beverly Hills, filled with similar stately mansions and manicured lawns. Historic homes in a variety of period revival styles remain extant in the neighborhood, although a number have been significantly altered (like the subject property) and/or demolished and replaced with modern mansions with more aggressive massing. The house is located at the approximate center of its lot, setback from Roxbury Drive to the west, with a manicured grass lawn in front. The primary (west) elevation was altered from its original appearance in 1984 and now has an 55 "Lt. Comdr. W. Seward," Los Angeles Times, December 6, 1953. 56 "Landsberg, Kent H," Los Angeles Times, September 9, 2000. 57 "Democrat Unit Slates Review of Cabinet," Los Angele Times, June 18, 1953. 58 "About Us," Tishman International, N.D., http://www.tishmanintl.com/default.asp?p=1. 59 "Alan D. Levy," Tower Cancer Research Foundation, N.D., https://www.towercancer.org/bio-alan-levy/.
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American Colonial Revival style, with a brick façade, centered entry portico and symmetrical fenestration, while the rest of the house has been altered to a “modern farmhouse” style.
The subject property is of wood-frame construction with an L-shaped footprint, a concrete foundation, and a side-gable roof clad in (non-original) composite shingles. While the house’s footprint has always had an L-shape, a 1984–1985 renovation expanded the west wing significantly to the east and replaced nearly all exterior surfaces except the primary (west) elevation. The house is now mostly clad in non-original board-and-batten vertical siding on its north elevation, its east elevation, and its west elevation, and stucco on part of its north elevation.
While no original doors or windows remain, many have been replaced in kind and the fenestration pattern on the primary elevation remains consistent with the original design. A plethora of new fenestration has been added to the non-primary elevations.
Two wide, exterior through-cornice, brick chimneys on the north (non-original) and south (original) elevations frame the house, and a driveway of inset brick (non-original) runs along the north side of the residence, through a porte-cochere and to the rear (east) yard, which has a lawn, plantings, pool, and pool house.
Primary West Elevation
The property’s primary west elevation (previously referenced Figure 48) is five bays wide, with a centered entry portico under a non-original gabled wall dormer with gable returns at the second level. The elevation consists of sandblasted brick in a stretchers-only pattern, with a belt course of headers. A path of inset bricks leads to a non-original semi-circular brick entry patio with three steps. The entrance consists of a non-original single-leaf, 6-panel, wood Chelsea door (Figure 49) with a wood transom above and leaded glass sidelites on either side. The door is recessed into a non-original classical wood surround with pilasters, dentils, and broken arch pediment (nonoriginal) with non-original metal sconce lights on either side of the pilasters. The first level has four 8/8 wood sash windows (non-original) with louvered shutters (non-original) and arched soldier course lintels (two on each side of the entry). There is a non-original brick path leading to the front door with hedges and mature trees on either side of the main entrance. All of this landscaping dates to a 1984–1985 renovation.
The second level has four non-original matching 8/8 wood sash windows of a smaller size, with jack arches above. A fifth window on the second level, directly above the entry portico, is a nonoriginal 8/8 wood sash with a decorative wood fanlight with a soldier course arch above.
Attached to the north end of the elevation is a non-original breezeway (Figure 50) that leads to the rear of the property. The simple breezeway has a side-gabled roof of composition shingles supported by four squared columns with recessed panels. A front-facing gable with returns echoes the non-original wall dormer on the front elevation and has a similar decorative wood fanlight. A modern metal gate separates the driveway from the rear of the property.
North Elevation
The subject property’s north elevation (Figures 51 and 52) has been extensively renovated. Other than portions of the brick and chimney near the west end, little original material remains. The west end of the elevation has the attached porte-cochere described above. A north-facing entrance under the breezeway (Figure 53) has a semi-circular brick entry porch with three steps that Historical Resources Assessment
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matches the front entry. The door is double-leaf wood panels with a six lite glazing panel at the top. The second level of the elevation above the porte-cochere is brick with a wide exterior brick chimney with a chimney cap. The gable at the second story has returns and three diamond vent cutouts in the horizontal wood siding. Directly east of the porte-cochere is a projecting gabled bay with a canted bay window consisting of four 8/8 wood sash windows with thick wood surrounds and cap with dentils at the cornice line. The second level above this bay is clad in white stucco; the rest of the elevation to the north is clad in vertical channel rustic siding. A second projecting volume at the rear of the elevation is one-story, clad in stucco with a shed roof. A recessed entry porch at its center has similar semi-circular brick stairs with a makeshift wood ramp. The recessed entry has two doors: a single-leaf solid wood door that faces west and a single-leaf wood paneled door with a four lite glazing panel at the top that faces east. Other fenestration on this elevation includes 6/6 wood sash windows individually and in pairs, 8/8 wood sash, 6-paned wood casements, narrow 3-paned wood casements. Most of the windows have wood surrounds and some are significantly inset.
Rear Elevations (East and South-facing Interior)
A one-story, two-bays wide garage (non-original) is attached at the east end of the north wing. It is clad in stucco with a front-facing, gable roof, and two paneled garage doors. The two-story east elevation of the main house is visible behind it, clad in vertical siding and a fanlight vent in the east facing gable.
The majority of the rear elevations (Figure 54) are substantially altered and are clad in white vertical batten and board siding with small areas of white stucco and a brick water table along the southern end of the east elevation. The east elevation has two 12:12 French doors with transoms in a fanlight design. The door at the center of the elevation sits in a recessed bay with a 12-lite, fixed-pane window above; the northern French door has a hanging canted bay above at the second level, consisting of four 6/6 wood sash windows and wood paneling. An identical hanging canted bay is at the east end of the south interior elevation, next to a square hanging bay with a single 6/6 wood sash. Other fenestration on these elevations includes multiple 6/6 wood sash windows, 8/8 wood sash windows, and 10/10 wood sash with fanlight transoms. None of these windows or doors are original to the property,
South Elevation
The south elevation is largely obscured from view as it faces a garden area with large trees and other foliage. It has also been substantially altered since the home’s original construction (see Figures 34 and 35 in the “Construction History” section of this report for images of the east elevation prior to circa 1985 alterations). The western half of the elevation (Figure 55) is constructed of brick in a stretchers-only pattern with the same belt course of headers as the front (west) elevation. There is a hanging canted bay window composed of an 8/8 wood sash with a 1/1 wood sash on either side and wood paneling below. There is an elliptical fixed-pane window to the south of the hanging bay and a fixed-pane porthole window to the east. The elevation is divided by a wide exterior brick chimney with a brick chimney cap. East of the chimney (Figure 56) is a second canted bay at the second level consisting of four 6/6 wood sash windows and wood paneling. The elevation below the bay is clad in vertical batten and board siding. Other than a small portion of brick at the west end, most of the elevation dates to the 1984–1985 renovation.
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Rear Yard and Pool House
The rear east yard (previously referenced Figure 53) consists of a pool and pool house and garage (non-original) at the easternmost lot line of the property, described in more depth below.
Landscaping consists of a manicured lawn, mature trees, and other plants. There are non-original brick paths and a non-original brick patio outside the east elevation. A non-original stone path leads to the south side yard which has additional non-original trees and plantings that were added in 1984–1985.
Pool House (Former Garage)
The home’s original garage (Figures 57 and 58) was first converted to a playroom in 1968 and was renovated to its current appearance in 1984–1985. This changed the roof and exteriors of the building. It still retains two garage openings on the north elevation with identical paneled doors; otherwise, the building is all new construction (photographs showing the alterations visible in Figure 42 in the “Construction History” section of this report). The one-story pool house has a cross-gabled roof clad in composite shingles and exteriors clad in horizontal board and batten siding. Its primary (west) elevation has a fanlight vent in the front gable with a 10:10 French door with fanlight transom below. On either side of the French door is a 10/10 wood sash window with identical fanlight transoms. A recessed addition at the south end of the pool house has two singleleaf doors with ten glazing panels and a pair of 6/6 wood sash windows. The space created by this recessed bay is a patio of inset bricks covered by a wood trellis.
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910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: ESA 2022 Figure 48
Primary west elevation of the subject property. The entire west elevation has been heavily altered, notably in 1984–1985, and does not appear as it did in the original 1934 drawings. The breezeway is also non-original.
Landscaping features manicured lawn, hedges, and trees (non-original) as well as a brick path leading to the primary entrance. View to the east.
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910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: ESA 2022 Figure 49
Primary entrance to the residence on the west
elevation. The pedimented surround is non-original.
View to the east.
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910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: ESA 2022 Figure 50
The non-original breezeway on the subject property’s
west elevation View to the east.
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910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: ESA 2022 Figure 51
South end of the north elevation, showing (nonoriginal) breezeway, bay window, and chimney. View to the west.
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910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: ESA 2022 Figure 52
Eastern end of the north elevation. The second story and stucco volume are non-original . View to the east.
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910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: ESA 2022 Figure 53
Entrance to the residence on the north elevation, within the non-original breezeway. View to the south.
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910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: ESA 2022 Figure 54
Overall view of the east rear elevation. This elevation has been extensively altered, with first and second story additions, changes in windows and doors, and additions of bay windows and new sidings.
View to the west.
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910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: ESA 2022 Figure 55
Eastern end of the south elevation. The bay windows and chimney are non-original. View to the north.
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910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: ESA 2022 Figure 56
Eastern end of the south elevation, facing non-original landscaping featuring plants, trees, and a stone path.
This elevation was expanded during the 1984–1985
renovation. The bay window and siding are non-original.
View to the west.
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910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: ESA 2022 Figure 57
West elevation of the pool house, which was formerly a
garage. This elevation has been heavily altered, and its windows and doors are non-original. View to the east.
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910 N. Roxbury Drive / D202200010.00
SOURCE: ESA 2022 Figure 58
North elevation of the pool house (formerly garage) and brick driveway. There were originally three garage doors on the north elevation; there are currently two. View to the southeast.
Significance Evaluation
ESA evaluated the subject property for eligibility as a historical resource under the City of Beverly Hills criteria.
City of Beverly Hills
A. A Landmark must satisfy all of the following requirements:
1) It is at least forty-five (45) years of age, or is a property of extraordinary significance.
The subject property was constructed in 1934. Therefore, the subject property satisfies this requirement.
2) It possesses high artistic or aesthetic value, and embodies the distinctive characteristics of an architectural style or architectural type or architectural period.
The subject property is currently a single-family residence in the American Colonial Revival style. The home has been substantially altered since its original construction in 1934. Original Historical Resources Assessment
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drawings show that the home was stylistically different than it appears today, with Regency Revival elements such as a now-removed metal lattice canopy with pent metal roof over the front entrance on the primary west elevation. The residence was renovated to its original appearance in 1984–1985, and therefore is not a historic example of the American Colonial Revival style or a distinctive or unique example of the style. While there are character-defining features of the American Colonial Revival style present on the home, such as the pedimented entry on its west elevation, these details are not original. The property does not appear to possess high artistic or aesthetic value as a result of its extensive alterations. Therefore, the subject property lacks integrity to convey the appearance of its original construction intact. As a result, the subject property does not satisfy this requirement.
3) It retains substantial integrity from its period of significance.
The subject property does not retain integrity from its period of significance. It has been substantially altered and does not resemble its original 1934 appearance. Major alterations to the residence include the addition of a breezeway; first and second-floor additions on the north, west, and east elevations; addition of windows and chimneys; removal of original details such as metal lattice canopies on the south and north elevations; stylistic changing of the entire south elevation; extensive alterations to the original garage; and landscaping changes. These changes date from the 1984–1985 renovation of the home. The property had also been altered prior to the 1984-1985 alteration, when the metal lattice canopy on its west elevation was removed, among other changes. Furthermore, the property’s setting and landscaping have also been altered, including the addition of a pool; the addition of a brick patio and pathways at the north yard; and relandscaping at the primary south yard. It therefore has limited value as an example of singlefamily residential development in Beverly Hills during the 1930s. Therefore, the subject property does not satisfy this requirement.
4) It has continued historic value to the community such that its designation as a landmark is reasonable and necessary to promote and further the purpose of this article.
The subject property has been substantially altered since its original construction in 1934. While the home is still extant, it does not resemble its original appearance and does not retain integrity of design, materials, or workmanship. The majority of the subject property’s current appearance was created during major renovations in 1984-1985 and it does not resemble its original design.
As a result, the subject property cannot convey its original historic appearance and consequently does not appear to impart continued historic value to the community. Therefore, the subject property does not satisfy this requirement.
B. In addition to all of those in A., a Landmark must satisfy at least one of the following requirements:
1) It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The subject property has not been listed on the National Register. Therefore, the subject property does not satisfy this requirement.
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2) It is an exceptional work by a master architect.
The City’s definition of an exceptional work is as follows:
A remarkably superior example of architectural work that has been recognized as such by members of the architectural community. At a minimum, the work's exceptional quality shall have been documented by at least one of the following: a) it was the subject of a major architectural award; b) it was substantively discussed (i.e., not just mentioned) and photographically depicted in a monograph on a master architect's career; or c) it was substantively discussed or photographically depicted in at least two (2) publications (e.g., a book, treatise, trade magazine article, film, or set of photographs made available to the public by an institutional archive) authored by acknowledged experts in the field of architecture. A monograph or publication made available to the public solely in electronic form and without any reasonable expectation of compensation to the author, or substantially authored by the architect of the work, shall not count toward this minimum.
The property was originally designed by a noted master architect Robert Vincent Derrah.
However, research, including a search of the Avery Index, has not found any evidence that the property was the subject of an architectural award or has been substantially discussed or photographically depicted in either a monograph or any major publications. Further, the property has been extensively altered over the years and does not resemble its original design by Derrah.
Therefore, the subject property does not satisfy this requirement. 3) It is an exceptional work that was owned and occupied by a person of great importance, and was directly connected to a momentous event in the person's endeavors or the history of the nation. For purposes of this paragraph, personal events such as birth, death, marriage, social interaction, and the like shall not be deemed to be momentous.
The City of Beverly Hills preservation ordinance defines a “person of great importance” as:
A person whose activities had a substantial impact on the history of the nation, which impact can be demonstrated through scholarly research and judgment. At a minimum, a person of great importance is someone whose name and exploits were widely known across America during his/her lifetime, and whose widespread fame continues through to the present day. A person shall not be considered to be of great importance by virtue of his/her position or title, race, gender, ethnicity, or religion.
While the subject property was occupied by notable individuals, including contractor, developer, and former mayor E.P. Dentzel, none of the home’s residents appear to meet the definition of a person of great importance as defined in the City’s preservation ordinance. The subject property does not appear to be associated with a momentous event in a historic personage’s endeavors that affected the history of Beverly Hills, California, or the United States. Research did not identify any significant historical events that took place at the subject property, nor did it identify the subject property as the location of a significant life event for any of its various occupants.
Therefore, the subject property does not satisfy this requirement.
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4) It is an exceptional property that was owned and occupied by a person of great local prominence.
The City of Beverly Hills preservation ordinance defines a “person of great local prominence” as “a person whose activities had such a substantial impact on the history of the city of Beverly Hills that a public street or public park in the city was named after him or her.” The subject property was occupied by several notable individuals, but none of the occupants are considered people of great local prominence as defined in the City's preservation ordinance as there are no public streets or parks in the City named after any of the home’s occupants.
The subject property is also not an exceptional work of architecture as defined in the City’s ordinance, as it has not been identified or discussed in monographs, architectural publications, historic resource surveys, or by members of the architectural community and has not received an architectural award. Therefore, the subject property does not satisfy this requirement. 5) It is an iconic property.
The subject property does not meet the City’s definition of an iconic property, as stated in its preservation ordinance, as it does not possess an inextricable association with the City’s image in popular culture or its identity in the world at large as a result of having been visited and photographed frequently by residents and visitors to the City. Therefore, the subject property does not satisfy this requirement.
6) The landmark designation procedure is initiated, or expressly agreed to, by the owner(s) of the property.
A landmark designation procedure has not been initiated, or expressly agreed to, by the owner of the property. Therefore, the subject property does not satisfy this requirement.
Integrity Analysis
The National Register and California Register recognizes a property's integrity through seven aspects or qualities: location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association.
Eligible properties should retain several, if not most, of these aspects. Both registers require that a resource retain sufficient integrity to convey its significance, and the property must retain the essential physical features that enable it to convey its historical identity. Integrity is based on significance and understanding why a property is important. National Register Bulletin 15 states that “only after significance is fully established can you proceed to the issue of integrity.”60 Location – The subject property has not been moved from its original location since construction.
The property retains historic integrity for its location.
Setting – The property’s immediate setting has been altered over time. Changes include the relandscaping of the south, north, and west elevations during the 1984–1985 renovations. These 60 U.S. Department of the Interior, 2002.
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changes involved re-planting new trees and foliage, the addition of new brick pathways, and the complete renovation of the pool house. Additional changes to the home’s setting include the construction of a new pool and the addition of a breezeway. Despite these changes to its site, the subject property continues to be a single-family residence in a single-family residential neighborhood. As such, it retains marginal integrity of setting.
Design, Materials, and Workmanship – As discussed in the detailed construction history and architectural description above, the subject property has undergone extensive renovations and alterations over time that have substantially diminished the home’s integrity of materials, design, and workmanship. These alterations include the addition of a breezeway; additions to the first and second floor of the east, north, and south elevations; the addition of windows and chimneys; the removal of original details such as metal lattice canopies on the east and west elevations; stylistic changes to the entire west elevation; extensive alterations to the original garage; and landscaping changes. These changes have affected all elevations of the residence, including its public-facing west elevation. Prior to these alterations, which occurred during a renovation in 1984–1985, the home had already undergone alterations that had changed its appearance on the west elevation.
Original design features and the footprint of the house were changed as a result of renovations and most original material has been removed from the house. The removal of these features also removed evidence of original workmanship. As a result, the subject property does not retain integrity of design, materials, or workmanship.
Feeling – The subject property does not express the design aesthetic of its earliest construction due to significant alterations on all elevations, including the design on its public-facing primary west elevation. The home does not appear as it did when it was first constructed and consequently cannot convey its historic character. Therefore, the subject property does not retain its integrity of feeling.
Association – The subject property has undergone extensive alterations since its construction in 1936, detailed in this report. Notable major alterations, such as additions to the west and north elevations and the stylistic changes to the south elevation., have affected the home’s ability to appear as it did when it was first constructed and occupied by early residents, such as E.P.
Dentzel. As discussed under Criterion A/1 and above under Setting, the subject property lacks integrity of setting, and therefore it cannot convey integrity of association with the early development patterns of its tract. Therefore, the subject property lacks integrity of association.
In conclusion, the property retains integrity of location and marginal integrity of setting, but lacks integrity of design, workmanship, materials, and association, and therefore does not retain integrity to convey the appearance of its original construction. The subject property is not eligible under the either the National Register or California Register Criteria as a historical resource.
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Summary
For a property to be eligible for landmark status in Beverly Hills, it must satisfy all of the following:61
It is at least forty-five (45) years of age, or is a property of extraordinary significance
Yes
It possesses high artistic or aesthetic value, and embodies the distinctive characteristics of an architectural style or architectural type or architectural period
No
It retains substantial integrity from its period of significance No It has continued historic value to the community such that its designation as a landmark is reasonable and necessary to promote and further the purposes of this article
No
In addition to satisfying all requirements above, a property must also satisfy at least one of the following:
It is listed on the national register of historic places No It is an exceptional work by a master architect No
It is an exceptional work that was owned and occupied by a person of great importance and was directly connected to a momentous event in the person's endeavors or the history of the nation. For purposes of this subsection B3, personal events such as birth, death, marriage, social interaction, and the like shall not be deemed to be momentous
No
It is an exceptional property that was owned and occupied by a person of great local prominence
No
It is an iconic property No
The landmark designation procedure is initiated, or expressly agreed to, by the owner(s) of the property.
No
Eligibility Recommendations and Conclusion
As a result of its investigations, ESA recommends the subject property ineligible as a Beverly Hills Landmark. The subject property satisfies Criteria A.1 as it is over 45 years of age. The subject property does not, however, satisfy the other criteria under A. While it has some character-defining features of the American Colonial Revival style, most of these features are non-original and were added during the 1984-1985 renovation and the property does not possess high artistic or aesthetic value (A.2). The subject property further does not retain substantial integrity due to major alterations since is original construction (A.3); and it does not have continued historic value to the community as it does not retain adequate integrity of materials, design, or workmanship to convey its historical appearance (A.4). The subject property further does not meet any of the criteria under B, however, as it is not listed on the National Register (B.1); it is not an “exceptional work” by a master architect as defined by the 61 Beverly Hills Municipal Code, Ord. 15-O-2682, eff. 11-19-2015.
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City’s preservation ordinance as there are no publications or monographs substantially discussing and/or photographically depicting the property (B.2); it was not the location of a momentous event in the life of a person of great importance (B.3); it was not owned by a person of great local prominence as defined in the City’s preservation ordinance (B.4); it is not an iconic property as defined by the ordinance (B.5); and the landmark procedure was not initiated or agreed to by the property owner (B.6). Therefore, ESA recommends the City issue a determination that the subject property is not an eligible property and therefore is exempt from the provisions of Article 32. Historic Preservation (Ord. 15-O-2682) of the Beverly Hills City Code.
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References
36 CFR Section 60.2.
"A Beverly Hills Estate Where Stars Were Wed." Los Angeles Times. September 9, 2017. "About Us." Tishman International, N.D. http://www.tishmanintl.com/default.asp?p=1. "Action Studied in Tax Case." Los Angeles Times. July 9, 1950. "Advertisement: E.P. Dentzel Builder of Distinguished Homes." Los Angeles Evening Citizen News. May 14, 1925.
"Alan D. Levy." Tower Cancer Research Foundation. N.D. https://www.towercancer.org/bioalan-levy/.
Anderson, Melanie. "Council Kids: How do Former Mayors Live on After They're Gone?." Beverly Hills Courier. March 7, 2012.
"An Important Estate Auction." Los Angeles Times. August 13, 1950.
Beverly Hills Department of Buildings. "Permit 12531: Application for the Erection of Buildings.” Issued to E.P. Dentzel. March 23, 1934.
Beverly Hills Historic Resources Inventory.
http://ohp.parks.ca.gov/pages/1072/files/BeverlyHills.pdf.
Beverly Hills Municipal Code, Title 10, Chapter, 3 Articles 32 and 32.5.
Beverly Hills List of Local Master Architects. Adopted by the Cultural Heritage Commission October 14, 2015, revised July 10, 2019.
Beverly Hills Municipal Code, Title 10, Chapter, 3 Articles 32 and 32.5. "Beverly Hills Names Mayor." Los Angeles Times. March 30, 1933. "Beverly Hills Property: 910 N. Roxbury Drive." Los Angeles Times. October 20, 1957.
California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 11.5, Section 4852(c) which can be accessed on the internet at http://ohp.parks.ca.gov.
California State Office of Historic Preservation. Technical Assistance Bulletin #8, User’s Guide to the California Historical Resources Status Codes & Historic Resources Inventory Directory. November 2004.
City of Beverly Hills. "Historic Properties Project Log, Section 2: Master Architect Projects." N.D.http://beverlyhills.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=&event_id=3407&meta_id =336072.
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City of Beverly Hills. "List of Local Master Architects. " Version 3.1. Revised July 10, 2019. https://www.beverlyhills.org/cbhfiles/storage/files/11532334261958763470/MasterArchite ctList_Version3-1_active.pdf.
City of Beverly Hills. "Log of Projects Involving Master Architect Properties." 2015. https://beverlyhills.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=52&clip_id=4586&meta_id=2 75163.
City of Beverly Hills. Residential Design Style Catalogue, City of Beverly Hills Planning Division. 2008.
City of Beverly Hills Cultural Heritage Commission. “Ordinance No. 12-O-2617, Resolution No. 3: Resolution of the Cultural Heritage Commission of the City of Beverly Hills Recommending that the City Council Adopt a List of Local Master Architects.” City of Beverly Hills, 2012.
City of Beverly Hills Department of Building and Safety.
City of Beverly Hills Planning Division. “Cultural Heritage Commission Report: Revision to List of Local Master Architects.” City of Beverly Hills. October 14, 2015.
City of Beverly Hills Planning Division. “[DRAFT] List of Local Master Architects.” City of Beverly Hills, 2012.
City of Beverly Hills Planning Division. “List of Local Master Architects.” Adopted by the Cultural Heritage Commission 10-14-15, Revised 7-10-19. Version 3.1. https://www.beverlyhills.org/cbhfiles/storage/files/11532334261958763470/MasterArchite ctList_Version3-1_active.pdf.
City of Beverly Hills Planning Division. "Planning Commission Report: Replacement of Beverly Hills Municipal Code Article 32 and Amendments to Article 32.5 Regarding Historic Preservation." December 11, 2014.
http://beverlyhills.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=&event_id=2202&meta_id=24 8127.
City of Meridian. "Dentzel Carosaul." N.D. https://www.meridianms.org/city-departments/parksand-recreation/dentzel-carousel/. "Coca Cola Bottling Company Plant, Los Angeles." Abitare, Vol. 192, No. 45 (March 1981).
Conover, Austin. "Roaming Around with Austin Conover: Beverly Hills Ex-Mayor Honored." Los Angeles Evening Citizen News. April 24, 1948.
"Crossroads of the World." N.D. Los Angeles Conservancy. https://www.laconservancy.org/locations/crossroads-world. "Democrat Unit Slates Review of Cabinet." Los Angele Times. June 18, 1953. "Dentzel Sworn in as Mayor of Beverly Hills." Hollywood Citizen News. April 17, 1946. "Estate Auction: Irene Gasper Mather." Oakland Tribune. August 27, 1950.
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"Eight Large Homes Loom.” Los Angeles Times. June 28, 1936. "E.P Dentzel, Ex-Mayor of Beverly Hills, Dies." Los Angeles Times. March 31, 1961. "E.P. Dentzel Succumbs." Los Angeles Mirror. March 31, 1961.
Finding aid for the Robert Vincent Derrah Papers, Circa 1929-circa 1942. Architecture and Design Collection, Art, Design & Architecture Museum, Santa Barbara, California. https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8nc6065/entire_text/.
GPA Consulting. "Los Angeles Citywide Historic Context Statement: American Colonial Revival, 1895-1960.” Prepared for the City of Los Angeles Department of Planning.
December 2015. https://planning.lacity.org/odocument/d26d7637-d6da-4466-aa74- 992d63a284dc/American%20Colonial%20Revival%2012-2-15_0.pdf, 15. “Guidelines for Completing National Register Forms.” National Register Bulletin 16. U.S.
Department of Interior, National Park Service. September 30, 1986. "Hacienda Village, Los Angeles, CA." Paul Revere Williams Project. N.D. https://www.paulrwilliamsproject.org/gallery/hacienda-village-los-angeles-ca/.
Hoagland, Alison K. "Harold Lloyd Estate (Greenacres): HABS No. CA-2192." Historic American Building Survey. November 1984.
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/master/pnp/habshaer/ca/ca0100/ca0198/data/ca0198data.pdf.
Johnson Heumann Research Associates. Beverly Hills Historic Resources Survey. Prepared for the City of Beverly Hills, 1985-1986.
"Joseph Stacher.” Nevada State Journal. January 9, 1953. "Landsberg, Kent H." Los Angeles Times. September 9, 2000.
Lopez, Matt. “City OK’s List of Master Architects.” Beverly Hills Courier. January 1, 2010.
Los Angeles County Assessor Portal.
"Lt. Comdr. W. Seward." Los Angeles Times. December 6, 1953.
McAlester, Virginia. A Field Guide to American Houses. New York: Alfred A. Knope, 2013. "Mrs. Irene Mather Taken by Death." Los Angeles Times. April 19, 1950. "Mrs. Irene Gasper Mather." Chicago Tribune. April 21, 1950. “Mrs. William S. Warfield Residence, Santa Monica, CA.” Paul Williams Project. N.D. http://www.paulrwilliamsproject.org/gallery/residence-mrs-w-s-warfield-santa-monica-ca/. "New Suit Filed Attacking Will of A.C. Mather." Chicago Tribune. November 19, 1941. "Offerings: Houses." Los Angeles Times. May 4, 1936.
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"Paul Revere Williams, FAIA (1894–1980)." US Modernist. N.D. https://usmodernist.org/pwilliams.htm.
PCR Services Corporation. Historic Resources Survey Report: City of Beverly Hills. City of Beverly Hills, 2004.
PRC Section 5024.1(a).
PRC Section 5024.1(b).
PRC Section 5024.1(d).
PRC Section 5024.1(e)
Price, Steven. “Over the Top: The Architectural History of Trousdale Estates Beverly Hills,” Nourmand & Associates. http://www.nourmand.com/posts/overthetop1469cr. "Prominent Architect Robert V. Derrah Passes." Los Angeles Times. October 10, 1946. "Residence Cost to be $23,000." Los Angeles Times. April 14, 1935. "Rites Held for Former Mayor E.P. Dentzel." Valley News. April 2, 1961. "Robert Vincent Derrah." Desert News. October 10, 1946. "Robert Vincent Derrah (Architect)." N.D. Pacific Coast Architecture Database. https://pcad.lib.washington.edu/person/127/.
Robert Vincent Derrah Papers, Circa 1929-circa 1942. Architecture and Design Collection, Art, Design & Architecture Museum, Santa Barbara, California. "S.M. Target of Crime Report." The Times. May 11, 1953. "Structure to Rise in Beverly Hills." Los Angeles Times. May 26, 1935. "The Building with a Sparkle: Coca Cola Warehouse, Pasadena, California." Architectural Concrete, Vol. 3, No. 2 (1937).
"U.S. Indicts Gambling Figure for Tax Evasion." Los Angeles Times. July 24, 1963.
U.S. Voter Registration Records, 1924, 1930, 1936, 1942. Ancestry.com Ancestry.com [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 2000 Appendix A
Professional Qualifications
Margarita Jerabek-Bray, PhD
Environmental Science Associates
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Environmental Science Associates
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Environmental Science Associates
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Environmental Science Associates
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Environmental Science Associates
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Environmental Science Associates
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Environmental Science Associates
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Shannon L. Papin
Environmental Science Associates
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Environmental Science Associates
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Environmental Science Associates
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Claire Cancilla
Environmental Science Associates
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Environmental Science Associates
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Environmental Science Associates
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Appendix B
Tract Map
Appendix C
Building Permits
Appendix D
DPR Forms
DPR 523A (9/2013) *Required information
P1. Other Identifier: ____
*P2.Location: ☐ Not for Publication ☒ Unrestricted
*a. County Los Angeles and (P2c, P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach a Location Map as necessary.) *b. USGS 7.5' Quad Date T ; R ; ☐ of ☐ of Sec ; B.M.
c. Address 910 North Roxbury Drive City Beverly Hills Zip 90210 d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone 11, 369080 mE/ 3771882 mN e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, decimal degrees, etc., as appropriate) APN: 053-161-16
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries) The two-story single-family home at 910 North Roxbury Drive (subject property) is located in a quiet residential neighborhood in Beverly Hills, filled with similar stately mansions and manicured lawns. Historic homes in a variety of period revival styles remain extant in the neighborhood, although a number have been significantly altered (like the subject property) and/or demolished and replaced with modern mansions with more aggressive massing. The house is located at the approximate center of its lot, setback from Roxbury Drive to the south, with a manicured grass lawn in front. The primary (south) elevation was altered from its original appearance in 1984 and now has an American Colonial Revival style, with a brick façade, centered entry portico and symmetrical fenestration, while the rest of the house has been altered to a “modern farmhouse” style. [See Continuation Sheets] *P3b. Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 (Single family property) P4. Resources Present:
☒ Building ☐ Structure ☐ Object ☐ Site ☐ District ☐ Element of District ☐ Other (Isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo: (view, date)
View of subject property’s primary
south elevation from Roxbury Drive,
looking north, January 24
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ☒ Historic ☐ Prehistoric
☐ Both 1923-1925/Laguna Beach
Historic Resources Survey and
1933 newspaper article
*P7. Owner and Address:
Mr. Jubin Niamehr
10900 Wilshire Boulevard
15th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90024
*P8. Recorded by: (Name, affiliation,
and address) Claire Cancilla, ESA,
626 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1100
Los Angeles, CA 90017
*P9. Date Recorded: March 2022
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive Pedestrian
*P11. Report Citation: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none.")
ESA, 910 North Roxbury Drive,
Beverly Hills: Historic Resource Assessment, March 2022. *Attachments: ☐NONE ☐Location Map ☒Continuation Sheet ☒Building, Structure, and Object Record ☐Archaeological Record ☐District Record ☐Linear Feature Record ☐Milling Station Record ☐Rock Art Record ☐Artifact Record ☐Photograph Record ☐Other (List):
State of California The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial
NRHP Status Code 6Z
Other
Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
P5a. Photograph or Drawing (Photograph required for buildings, structures, and objects.) DPR 523B (9/2013) *Required information
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 910 North Roxbury Drive, Beverly Hills *NRHP Status Code 6Z
B1. Historic Name: 910 North Roxbury Drive
B2. Common Name: 910 North Roxbury Drive
B3. Original Use: Residential B4. Present Use: Residential *B5. Architectural Style: American Colonial Revival
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations) A construction history of the subject property was developed using building permits on file with the City’s Building and Safety department, aerial photographs, Sanborn maps, and photographs from the 1984–1985 renovation to the house.
The subject property has undergone extensive alterations over the years, substantially changing its appearance and footprint several times, as elaborated upon below. Notably, the front elevation has had three distinct designs: its original 1934 appearance which remained extant until at least 1950; its appearance for the majority of the 20th century (post 1950 but pre-1984); and its appearance after the 1984–1985 renovation, which remains to the present day.
The original building permit issued March 23, 1934, describes a two-story, wood-frame single family residence clad in brick and stucco with a concrete foundation, brick chimneys and shingled roof. A complementary permit was issued the same day in March for a one-story five-car garage and storm room with concrete foundation, wood framing, and plaster interior walls. The original plans for the subject property from 1934 show the design of the primary south elevation and on its rear north elevation. The home originally had a metal lattice canopy with metal roof outside its front door on both the south and north elevation. A 1950 photograph of the home from the Los Angeles Times show that the home still resembled its original appearance at this time. [See Continuation Sheets] *B7. Moved? ☒No ☐Yes ☐Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
Low horizontal profile, flat roof, unornamented exterior, and a division between public and private zones B9a. Architect: Robert Vincent Derrah b. Builder: Edward Paul (E.P.) Dentzel *B10. Significance: Theme Area
Period of Significance Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria (Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.) As a result of its investigations, ESA recommends the subject property ineligible under all of the applicable federal, state, and local criteria. The subject property does not reflect broad patterns of the Tract 4061 (1926–1950) as the home has been substantially altered and does not resemble its 1934 appearance. [See Continuation Sheets] B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) *B12. References:
[See Continuation Sheets]
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Claire Cancilla, ESA
*Date of Evaluation: March 2022
State of California The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
(Sketch Map with north arrow required.)
(This space reserved for official comments.)
State of California Natural Resources Agency Primary#
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Property Name: 910 North Roxbury Drive, Beverly Hills
DPR 523L (Rev. 1/1995)(Word 9/2013)
*P3a. Description (continued):
The subject property is of wood-frame construction with an L-shaped footprint, a concrete foundation, and a side-gable roof clad in (non-original) composite shingles. While the house’s footprint has always had an L-shape, a 1984–1985 renovation expanded the west wing significantly to the north and replaced nearly all exterior surfaces except the primary (south) elevation. The house is now mostly clad in non-original board-and-batten vertical siding on its west elevation, its north elevation, and its east elevation, and stucco on part of its west elevation. While no original doors or windows remain, many have been replaced in kind and the fenestration pattern on the primary elevation remains consistent with the original design. A plethora of new fenestration has been added to the non-primary elevations.
Two wide, exterior through-cornice, brick chimneys on the east (non-original) and west (original) elevations frame the house, and a driveway of inset brick (non-original) runs along the west side of the residence, through a porte-cochere and to the rear (north) yard, which has a lawn, plantings, pool, and pool house.
The property’s primary south elevation is five bays wide, with a centered entry portico under a nonoriginal gabled wall dormer with gable returns at the second level. The elevation consists of sandblasted brick in a stretchers-only pattern, with a belt course of headers. A path of inset bricks leads to a nonoriginal semi-circular brick entry patio with three steps. The entrance consists of a non-original single-leaf, 6-panel, wood Chelsea door with a wood transom above and leaded glass sidelites on either side. The door is recessed into a non-original classical wood surround with pilasters, dentils, and broken arch pediment (non-original) with non-original metal sconce lights on either side of the pilasters. The first level has four 8/8 wood sash windows (non-original) with louvered shutters (non-original) and arched soldier course lintels (two on each side of the entry). There is a non-original brick path leading to the front door with hedges and mature trees on either side of the main entrance. All of this landscaping dates to a 1984–1985 renovation.
The second level has four non-original matching 8/8 wood sash windows of a smaller size, with jack arches above. A fifth window on the second level, directly above the entry portico, is a non-original 8/8 wood sash with a decorative wood fanlight with a soldier course arch above. Attached to the west end of the elevation is a non-original breezeway (Figure 50) that leads to the rear of the property. The simple breezeway has a side-gabled roof of composition shingles supported by four squared columns with recessed panels. A front-facing gable with returns echoes the non-original wall dormer on the front elevation and has a similar decorative wood fanlight. A modern metal gate separates the driveway from the rear of the property.
The subject property’s west elevation has been extensively renovated. Other than portions of the brick and chimney near the south end, little original material remains. The south end of the elevation has the attached porte-cochere described above. A west-facing entrance under the breezeway has a semicircular brick entry porch with three steps that matches the front entry. The door is double-leaf wood panels with a six lite glazing panel at the top. The second level of the elevation above the porte-cochere State of California Natural Resources Agency Primary#
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Property Name: 910 North Roxbury Drive, Beverly Hills
DPR 523L (Rev. 1/1995)(Word 9/2013)
is brick with a wide exterior brick chimney with a chimney cap. The gable at the second story has returns and three diamond vent cutouts in the horizontal wood siding. Directly north of the porte-cochere is a projecting gabled bay with a canted bay window consisting of four 8/8 wood sash windows with thick wood surrounds and cap with dentils at the cornice line. The second level above this bay is clad in white stucco; the rest of the elevation to the north is clad in vertical channel rustic siding. A second projecting volume at the rear of the elevation is one-story, clad in stucco with a shed roof. A recessed entry porch at its center has similar semi-circular brick stairs with a makeshift wood ramp. The recessed entry has two doors: a single-leaf solid wood door that faces south and a single-leaf wood paneled door with a four lite glazing panel at the top that faces north. Other fenestration on this elevation includes 6/6 wood sash windows individually and in pairs, 8/8 wood sash, 6-paned wood casements, narrow 3-paned wood casements. Most of the windows have wood surrounds and some are significantly inset.
A one-story, two-bays wide garage (non-original) is attached at the north end of the west wing. It is clad in stucco with a front-facing, gable roof, and two paneled garage doors. The two-story north elevation of the main house is visible behind it, clad in vertical siding and a fanlight vent in the north facing gable.
The majority of the rear elevations (North-facing and East-facing) are substantially altered and are clad in white vertical batten and board siding with small areas of white stucco and a brick water table along the east end of the north elevation. The north elevation has two 12:12 French doors with transoms in a fanlight design. The one at the center of the elevation sits in a recessed bay with a 12-lite, fixed-pane window above; the eastern French door has a hanging canted bay above at the second level, consisting of four 6/6 wood sash windows and wood paneling. An identical hanging canted bay is at the north end of the East interior elevation, next to a square hanging bay with a single 6/6 wood sash. Other fenestration on these elevations includes multiple 6/6 wood sash windows, 8/8 wood sash windows, and 10/10 wood sash with fanlight transoms. None of these windows or doors are original to the property, The east elevation is largely obscured from view as it faces a garden area with large trees and other foliage. It has also been substantially altered since the home’s original construction. The southern half of the elevation is constructed of brick in a stretchers-only pattern with the same belt course of headers as the front (south) elevation. There is a hanging canted bay window composed of an 8/8 wood sash with a 1/1 wood sash on either side and wood paneling below. There is an elliptical fixed-pane window to the south of the hanging bay and a fixed-pane porthole window to the north. The elevation is divided by a wide exterior brick chimney with a brick chimney cap. North of the chimney is a second canted bay at the second level consisting of four 6/6 wood sash windows and wood paneling. The elevation below the bay is clad in vertical batten and board siding. Other than a small portion of brick at the south end, this entire elevation dates to the 1984–1985 renovation.
The rear north yard consists of a pool and pool house and garage (non-original) at the northern most lot line of the property, described in more depth below. Landscaping consists of a manicured lawn, mature trees, and other plants. there are non-original brick paths and a non-original brick patio outside the north elevation. A non-original stone path leads to the east side yard which has additional non-original trees and plantings that were added in 1984–1985.
State of California Natural Resources Agency Primary#
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Property Name: 910 North Roxbury Drive, Beverly Hills
DPR 523L (Rev. 1/1995)(Word 9/2013)
The home’s original garage was first converted to a playroom in 1968 and was renovated to its current appearance in 1984–1985. This changed the roof and exteriors of the building. It still retains two garage openings on the west elevation with identical paneled doors; otherwise, the building is all new construction. The one-story pool house has a cross-gabled roof clad in composite shingles and exteriors clad in horizontal board and batten siding. Its primary (south) elevation has a fanlight vent in the front gable with a 10:10 French door with fanlight transom below. On either side of the French door is a 10/10 wood sash window with identical fanlight transoms. A recessed addition at the east end of the pool house has two single-leaf doors with ten glazing panels and a pair of 6/6 wood sash windows. The space created by this recessed bay is a patio of inset bricks covered by a wood trellis. The main entrance to the property is through a recessed porch entryway along the east elevation.
P5a. Photographs (continued):
View of subject property’s primary south façade from Roxbury Drive, view to the north. The elevation has been heavily altered
State of California Natural Resources Agency Primary#
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Property Name: 910 North Roxbury Drive, Beverly Hills
DPR 523L (Rev. 1/1995)(Word 9/2013)
The subject property’s south end of its west elevation, view to the south. The elevation has been heavily altered.
North end of the subject property’s west elevation, view to the north. The elevation has been heavily altered
State of California Natural Resources Agency Primary#
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Property Name: 910 North Roxbury Drive, Beverly Hills
DPR 523L (Rev. 1/1995)(Word 9/2013)
Overall view of the subject property’s rear south elevation and pool, view to the south. This elevation has been heavily altered.
Southern end of the subject property’s east elevation, view to the west. This elevation has been heavily altered; the chimney and bay window are non-original.
State of California Natural Resources Agency Primary#
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Property Name: 910 North Roxbury Drive, Beverly Hills
DPR 523L (Rev. 1/1995)(Word 9/2013)
Northern end of the east elevation, view to the south. This elevation has been heavily altered.
West and south elevations of the subject property’s pool house (former garage), view to the northeast.
The pool house has been heavily altered.
State of California Natural Resources Agency Primary#
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Property Name: 910 North Roxbury Drive, Beverly Hills
DPR 523L (Rev. 1/1995)(Word 9/2013)
*B6. Construction History (continued):
Permits were issued in 1968 for the construction of a swimming pool and a trellis in the rear yard, and the conversion of portions of the garage into a playroom. Four years later, in 1971, a permit was issued to replace windows on the home. Solar heating was installed, and the kitchen was remodeled in 1976.
Major alterations occurred to the residence between 1983 and 1985, reflected in building permits, as well as in photographs provided by the owner. Photographs of the home prior to the renovation show that the home had already substantially changed from its original 1934 design. The home’s primary south façade, for example, now had two-story columns above its front entry and its original metal lattice canopy over the front door was no longer extant. Major alterations occurred to the residence between 1983 and 1985, reflected in building permits, as well as in photographs provided by the owner. Photographs of the home prior to the renovation show that the home had already substantially changed from its original 1934 design. The home’s primary south façade, for example, now had two-story columns above its front entry and its original metal lattice canopy over the front door was no longer extant.
In December 1983, a permit was issued for interior and exterior non-load bearing demolition. A drawing with a 1984 building permit shows the location of major alterations, including the construction of a new breezeway, first and second-story additions on the rear north elevation, additions to the garage at the north elevation. The following permits were issued in 1984: a new driveway, construction of two trellises, alterations and addition to detached garage / recreation building, and construction of a six-foot six-inch concrete block wall on the north property line.
In 1985, a permit was issued for interior and exterior demolition. Major changes include the stylistic change of the south elevation including a new front gable, classical frontispiece, steps and porch; landscaping changes on the south, north, and east yards; addition of a breezeway; alterations to the east elevation, including a square footage addition as well as additions of chimneys and bay windows; the complete remodeling of the current pool house at the northernmost rear of the lot; an extension of the garage at the north elevation; additions to the first and second floors of the north elevation that included the addition of new windows, a new double-height lobby with glass double leaf-doors and large floor-toceiling window above, and new siding; and the addition of the rear brick patio and pathways. After the renovation, the home retained little original material or design visible in the previously referenced 1934 drawings.
Additional changes were made to the residence in 1991, when the pool house was remodeled to a wine cellar which involved demolishing an interior wall. Eight years later, another permit was issued to convert a portion of the garage into a wine cellar. In 2010, the wood shingles on the guest house were replaced with CedarLite shingles. Eight years later, in 2018, an interior elevator was added; 12 windows were replaced; the gutters were replaced on the roof; and water damaged siding and trim at the front entry and rear was replaced.
*B6. Significance (continued):
Modern homes that were replaced demolished historic resources are common in the neighborhood, as are large additions and substantial alterations to historic residences surrounding the subject property.
As a result, the neighborhood cannot convey its historic association. The residence is further not State of California Natural Resources Agency Primary#
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Property Name: 910 North Roxbury Drive, Beverly Hills
DPR 523L (Rev. 1/1995)(Word 9/2013)
associated with any significant historic personages and was not the site of any notable historic event.
The building permit history for the subject property, photographs from a circa 1985 renovation, and the original 1934 drawings indicate that the subject property has been extensively modified over time and does not resemble its original appearance. Although designed by a master architect, it is not an exceptional work; it is not connected to significant individuals in local, state, or national history; and it is not the site of a significant historic event. Although the residence is over 45 years of age, it otherwise does not meet the other thresholds of eligibility required for local landmark designation by the City of Beverly Hills. Therefore, ESA recommends the property ineligible for designation under any of the federal, State or local eligibility criteria and recommends that it be assigned a California Historical Resources Status Code of 6Z, meaning it is ineligible for listing in the National Register, or in the California Register, or in the City Landmarks Register. ESA further recommends the City issue a determination that the subject property is not an eligible property and therefore is exempt from the provisions of Article 32. Historic Preservation (Ord. 15-O-2682) of the Beverly Hills City Code. *B12. References (continued):
36 CFR Section 60.2.
"A Beverly Hills Estate Where Stars Were Wed." Los Angeles Times. September 9, 2017. "Action Studied in Tax Case." Los Angeles Times. July 9, 1950. "Advertisement: E.P. Dentzel Builder of Distinguished Homes." Los Angeles Evening Citizen News. May 14, 1925.
Anderson, Melanie. "Council Kids: How do Former Mayors Live on After They're Gone?." Beverly Hills Courier. March 7, 2012.
"An Important Estate Auction." Los Angeles Times. August 13, 1950.
Beverly Hills Department of Buildings. "Permit 12531: Application for the Erection of Buildings.” Issued to E.P. Dentzel. March 23, 1934.
Beverly Hills Historic Resources Inventory. http://ohp.parks.ca.gov/pages/1072/files/BeverlyHills.pdf.
Beverly Hills Municipal Code, Title 10, Chapter, 3 Articles 32 and 32.5.
Beverly Hills List of Local Master Architects. Adopted by the Cultural Heritage Commission October 14, 2015, revised July 10, 2019.
Beverly Hills Municipal Code, Title 10, Chapter, 3 Articles 32 and 32.5. "Beverly Hills Names Mayor." Los Angeles Times. March 30, 1933. "Beverly Hills Property: 910 N. Roxbury Drive." Los Angeles Times. October 20, 1957.
State of California Natural Resources Agency Primary#
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Property Name: 910 North Roxbury Drive, Beverly Hills
DPR 523L (Rev. 1/1995)(Word 9/2013)
California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 11.5, Section 4852(c) which can be accessed on the internet at http://ohp.parks.ca.gov.
California State Office of Historic Preservation. Technical Assistance Bulletin #8, User’s Guide to the California Historical Resources Status Codes & Historic Resources Inventory Directory. November 2004.
City of Beverly Hills. "Historic Properties Project Log, Section 2: Master Architect Projects." N.D.http://beverlyhills.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=&event_id=3407&meta_id=336 072.
City of Beverly Hills. "List of Local Master Architects. " Version 3.1. Revised July 10, 2019. https://www.beverlyhills.org/cbhfiles/storage/files/11532334261958763470/MasterArchitectLi st_Version3-1_active.pdf.
City of Beverly Hills. "Log of Projects Involving Master Architect Properties." 2015. https://beverlyhills.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=52&clip_id=4586&meta_id=275163 .
City of Beverly Hills. Residential Design Style Catalogue, City of Beverly Hills Planning Division. 2008.
City of Beverly Hills Cultural Heritage Commission. “Ordinance No. 12-O-2617, Resolution No. 3:
Resolution of the Cultural Heritage Commission of the City of Beverly Hills Recommending that the City Council Adopt a List of Local Master Architects.” City of Beverly Hills, 2012.
City of Beverly Hills Department of Building and Safety.
City of Beverly Hills Planning Division. “Cultural Heritage Commission Report: Revision to List of Local Master Architects.” City of Beverly Hills. October 14, 2015.
City of Beverly Hills Planning Division. “[DRAFT] List of Local Master Architects.” City of Beverly Hills, 2012.
City of Beverly Hills Planning Division. “List of Local Master Architects.” Adopted by the Cultural Heritage Commission 10-14-15, Revised 7-10-19. Version 3.1.
https://www.beverlyhills.org/cbhfiles/storage/files/11532334261958763470/MasterArchitectLi st_Version3-1_active.pdf.
City of Beverly Hills Planning Division. "Planning Commission Report: Replacement of Beverly Hills Municipal Code Article 32 and Amendments to Article 32.5 Regarding Historic Preservation." December 11, 2014.
http://beverlyhills.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=&event_id=2202&meta_id=248127.
State of California Natural Resources Agency Primary#
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Property Name: 910 North Roxbury Drive, Beverly Hills
DPR 523L (Rev. 1/1995)(Word 9/2013)
City of Meridian. "Dentzel Carosaul." N.D. https://www.meridianms.org/city-departments/parks-andrecreation/dentzel-carousel/. "Coca Cola Bottling Company Plant, Los Angeles." Abitare, Vol. 192, No. 45 (March 1981).
Conover, Austin. "Roaming Around with Austin Conover: Beverly Hills Ex-Mayor Honored." Los Angeles Evening Citizen News. April 24, 1948.
"Crossroads of the World." N.D. Los Angeles Conservancy. https://www.laconservancy.org/locations/crossroads-world. "Dentzel Sworn in as Mayor of Beverly Hills." Hollywood Citizen News. April 17, 1946. "Estate Auction: Irene Gasper Mather." Oakland Tribune. August 27, 1950. "Eight Large Homes Loom.” Los Angeles Times. June 28, 1936. "E.P Dentzel, Ex-Mayor of Beverly Hills, Dies." Los Angeles Times. March 31, 1961. "E.P. Dentzel Succumbs." Los Angeles Mirror. March 31, 1961.
Finding aid for the Robert Vincent Derrah Papers, Circa 1929-circa 1942. Architecture and Design Collection, Art, Design & Architecture Museum, Santa Barbara, California. https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8nc6065/entire_text/.
GPA Consulting. "Los Angeles Citywide Historic Context Statement: American Colonial Revival, 1895- 1960.” Prepared for the City of Los Angeles Department of Planning. December 2015. https://planning.lacity.org/odocument/d26d7637-d6da-4466-aa74- 992d63a284dc/American%20Colonial%20Revival%2012-2-15_0.pdf, 15. “Guidelines for Completing National Register Forms.” National Register Bulletin 16. U.S. Department of Interior, National Park Service. September 30, 1986.
"Hacienda Village, Los Angeles, CA." Paul Revere Williams Project. N.D. https://www.paulrwilliamsproject.org/gallery/hacienda-village-los-angeles-ca/.
Hoagland, Alison K. "Harold Lloyd Estate (Greenacres): HABS No. CA-2192." Historic American Building Survey. November 1984.
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/master/pnp/habshaer/ca/ca0100/ca0198/data/ca0198data.pdf.
Johnson Heumann Research Associates. Beverly Hills Historic Resources Survey. Prepared for the City of Beverly Hills, 1985-1986.
Lopez, Matt. “City OK’s List of Master Architects.” Beverly Hills Courier. January 1, 2010.
State of California Natural Resources Agency Primary#
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Property Name: 910 North Roxbury Drive, Beverly Hills
DPR 523L (Rev. 1/1995)(Word 9/2013)
Los Angeles County Assessor Portal.
"Lt. Comdr. W. Seward." Los Angeles Times. December 6, 1953.
McAlester, Virginia. A Field Guide to American Houses. New York: Alfred A. Knope, 2013. "Mrs. Irene Mather Taken by Death." Los Angeles Times. April 19, 1950. “Mrs. William S. Warfield Residence, Santa Monica, CA.” Paul Williams Project. N.D. http://www.paulrwilliamsproject.org/gallery/residence-mrs-w-s-warfield-santa-monica-ca/. "Offerings: Houses." Los Angeles Times. May 4, 1936.
"Paul Revere Williams, FAIA (1894–1980)." US Modernist. N.D. https://usmodernist.org/pwilliams.htm.
PCR Services Corporation. Historic Resources Survey Report: City of Beverly Hills. City of Beverly Hills, 2004.
PRC Section 5024.1(a).
PRC Section 5024.1(b).
PRC Section 5024.1(d).
PRC Section 5024.1(e)
Price, Steven. “Over the Top: The Architectural History of Trousdale Estates Beverly Hills,” Nourmand & Associates. http://www.nourmand.com/posts/overthetop1469cr. "Prominent Architect Robert V. Derrah Passes." Los Angeles Times. October 10, 1946. "Residence Cost to be $23,000." Los Angeles Times. April 14, 1935. "Rites Held for Former Mayor E.P. Dentzel." Valley News. April 2, 1961. "Robert Vincent Derrah." Desert News. October 10, 1946. "Robert Vincent Derrah (Architect)." N.D. Pacific Coast Architecture Database. https://pcad.lib.washington.edu/person/127/.
Robert Vincent Derrah Papers, Circa 1929-circa 1942. Architecture and Design Collection, Art, Design & Architecture Museum, Santa Barbara, California.
"Structure to Rise in Beverly Hills." Los Angeles Times. May 26, 1935.
State of California Natural Resources Agency Primary#
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Property Name: 910 North Roxbury Drive, Beverly Hills
DPR 523L (Rev. 1/1995)(Word 9/2013)
"The Building with a Sparkle: Coca Cola Warehouse, Pasadena, California." Architectural Concrete, Vol. 3, No. 2 (1937).
U.S. Voter Registration Records, 1924, 1930, 1936, 1942. Ancestry.com Ancestry.com [database on-line].
Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 2000
Attachment 5
Peer Review, Jan Ostashay,
Ostashay and Associates Consulting (OAC)
P.O. Box 542
Long Beach, CA
562.500.9451
1 Ostashay & Associates
CONSULTING
Memorandum
To: Mark Odell, City of Beverly Hills Date: 05/11/2022
From: Jan Ostashay, Principal OAC
Re: PEER REVIEW ASSESSMENT: ESA Historic Resources Assessment - 910 North Roxbury Drive Overview
At the request of the City of Beverly Hills Community Development Department, Planning Division, Ostashay & Associates Consulting (OAC) conducted a peer review of a historic resources assessment report prepared for the property referenced above. The report entitled “910 North Roxbury Drive, Beverly Hills, California - Historic Resources Assessment” is dated April 2022 and was prepared by Environmental Science Associates (ESA) of Los Angeles, California. The ESA report is intended to provide an historic assessment of the subject property to support a “Certificate of Ineligibility” application submitted by the applicant (property owner/owner representative).
This peer review performed by OAC is conducted on behalf of the City to help consider the processing of the “Certificate of Ineligibility” application for the subject property. It addresses the overall adequacy of the ESA assessment report; the development of appropriate historic contexts for the property; application and interpretation of local City of Beverly Hills Landmark Designation Criteria; and the evaluators’ findings and conclusions for local landmark eligibility.
Our process in conducting the peer review included an examination of the ESA report and observation of the project site. We also performed additional archival research and reviewed building permits, Sanborn fire insurance maps, historic aerial photographs, prior survey assessments of the area (as applicable), applicable trade publications, and photographic copies of the original architectural plans of the property (obtained from the Architecture and Design Collection, Art, Design & Architecture Museum at the University of California, Santa Barbara). Other primary and secondary sources were also collected and reviewed relevant to the property and associated historic contexts and themes.
As stipulated in the City’s Municipal Code, Title 10, Chapter 3, Article 32, Historic Preservation (BHMC 10-3-3212, herein cited as Ordinance), the designation (significance) criteria for recognizing potential landmark eligibility consists of two parts, Part A and Part B, each with their own subset of significance criteria. A property must satisfy all four criteria requirements under Part A and must satisfy at least one of the six criteria under Part B. The ESA report concludes that the 910 North Roxbury Drive property is ineligible for City of Beverly Hills Landmark designation due to the fact that it does not satisfy Landmark Designation Criteria A.2, A.3, A.4 and B.1, B.2, B.3. B.4, B.5, and B.6.
PEER REVIEW ASSESSMENT: ESA Historical Resources Assessment – 910 North Roxbury Drive 2 Introduction
Generally, peer reviews of historic resources assessment reports are conducted to reassure lead agencies requesting the assessments that the identification and evaluation efforts performed are adequate, that the eligibility determinations made are logical and well supported, and that the document will, if necessary, facilitate regulatory compliance under the provisions of CEQA and the local municipal code. Review of historic resources documents for quality control is also an essential part of the environmental review process.
As a primer, historic resources fall within the jurisdiction of several levels of government. Federal laws provide the framework for the identification, evaluation, designation, and in certain instances, protection of historic resources. States and local jurisdictions play active roles in the identification, recordation, landmarking, and protection of such resources within their communities primarily through their regulatory codes and policies.
The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, promulgated standardized practices and guidelines for identifying, evaluating, and documenting historic properties (Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines [Preservation Planning, Identification, and Evaluation]). The State Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) and most local governments in California recognize these practices and guidelines and recommend their use in order to maintain objectivity and consistency in the preparation of historic preservation documents, survey assessments, and evaluation of historical significance.
Peer Review Assessment
This peer review performed by OAC was conducted to ensure that the current identification and evaluation efforts of the subject property for potential local landmark eligibility are adequate and that the findings are sound and well justified. The recommended approaches to the identification and evaluation of historic resources as discussed above have also been considered and utilized in conducting this peer review.
General Content and Format
In addition to reviewing and assessing evaluation findings, an important element of peer reviews is the assessment of the clarity of presentation, the adequacy of the research and context development, the understanding and application of significance criteria, and the consideration of historical integrity for which the report findings are based.
OAC found the report to be rather clear and logically organized despite some narrative inadequacies, including reference to the National Register and California Register; contextual misinterpretation of research data; discrepancies with the architectural description; and the inclusion of extraneous photographic material, tables, and wrongly addressed building permit. Nonetheless, much of the overall format and presentation of the material in the report are professionally sound, technically correct, and adequately organized.
Analysis of Integrity Findings
It is standard practice to assess a property’s integrity as part of a historic evaluation and assessment of historical significance. Integrity is a property’s ability to convey its historic significance through its physical features. The NPS publication entitled National Register Bulletin 15 defines seven aspects of PEER REVIEW ASSESSMENT: ESA Historical Resources Assessment – 910 North Roxbury Drive 3 integrity: location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association. Integrity is the authenticity of a property’s physical identity which is clearly indicated by the retention of characteristics (character-defining features) that existed during the property’s period of significance.
The aspects of integrity that are essential vary depending on the significance of the property.
However, in assessing a property’s integrity, the National Register criteria does recognize that properties change over time, therefore, it is not necessary for a property to retain all its historic physical features or characteristics. The property must retain, however, the essential physical features that enable it to convey its historic identity. Under the City’s Municipal Code (10-3-3202) integrity is defined as “the ability of a property to convey its historical significance through its location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, relevant association, and character-defining features.” The residence at 910 North Roxbury Drive remains in its original location since it was built in 1934, which is situated on lot 17, block 3 of Tract #4160 within the City of Beverly Hills. However, the building has undergone several significant alterations over the years that have modified the original design intent of the publically visible front (west) façade, as well as secondary elevations at the rear and along the side walls (north/south).
The building appears to have remained relatively intact for many decades, at least up through the late 1960s. In later years, some exterior changes were made to the residence that included modifying the front of the house (no recorded building permits are on file with the City to confirm dates of modifications). Such alterations included the removal of the original metal lattice porch canopy with bell cast shape standing seam metal roof at the front entry, build-out of a classically inspired entablature frontispiece with engaged pilasters surrounding the original recessed paneled entry and paneled door with sidelights, and the addition of a projecting two-story front porch entablature canopy supported by full-height columns with suspended pendent light fixture. Other minor changes made to the residence at this time included the installation of a swimming pool at the backyard, the building of a trellis (location not specified), partial conversion of the garage to a playroom, and the replacement of some windows (locations not specified).
Between 1984 and 1985, the residence was expanded and further altered by the construction of a new covered breezeway attached to the north (side) elevation of the house and spanning over a portion of the driveway (also repaved); first- and second-story additions made at the rear half of the house; remodeling and stylistic redesign of the side elevations with new windows, chimneys, siding material, and finishes; additions and remodeling to the garage and pool house; the removal of the white paint from the exterior brick veneer of the house; and new landscaping throughout the site.
The multi-pane windows along the second story of the front façade were also changed out and reconfigured from 12 light (3/4) to 16 light (4/4) to match the fenestration arrangement at the first floor (all windows on the house were replaced as part of the project). Another significant alteration occurred in the mid-1980s when the non-original full-height entablature canopy frontal piece at the main entry was removed and a large broken pediment was set above the non-original engaged entablature and projecting surround. At that time, the front brick paved stoop at the main entry was also reconfigured and enlarged. In addition, the second-story multi-pane sash window above the recessed front entry was modified to include a large blind lunette (fan light) header and arched shaped brick lintel. The side gable roof line along the primary (front) elevation was also altered by the addition of a large faux cross gable dormer with cornice returns.
PEER REVIEW ASSESSMENT: ESA Historical Resources Assessment – 910 North Roxbury Drive 4 In 2018, according to permit history twelve (12) windows were replaced in the house (locations not specified) and the siding and trim at the front entry and rear were replaced at an estimated value of $,7500 (detail of work not specified on permits).
Though the building retains in-kind replaced multi-pane windows and shutters along the primary front elevation, the main entry details and roof line alterations have substantially compromised the original design intent of the property. It now visually and physically conveys a false sense of historicism as seen from the public right-of-way. As the exterior of the subject property has been considerably changed since it was built in 1934, the property retains minimal historic fabric from its period of significance. In assessing the subject property’s construction history, permit history, and historical integrity, it is OAC’s professional opinion that the residence retains integrity of location and neighborhood setting. However, due to the exterior alterations made along those portion of the primary elevation that are visible from the public right-of-way, the property’s integrity of design, materials, workmanship, feeling and association have been compromised. The subject property no longer retains sufficient integrity to adequately convey the appearance of its original design intent as envisioned by master architect Robert V. Derrah. Ultimately, OAC concurs with ESA’s assessment findings regarding the subject property’s historical integrity.
Evaluation Findings
The City’s Historic Preservation Ordinance establishes historic significance criteria and the process for evaluating (and designating) properties as local landmarks for listing in the City of Beverly Hills Register of Historic Properties (BHMC 10-3-3212). As stipulated in the Ordinance, the significance designation criteria for recognizing potential landmark eligibility consists of two parts, Part A and Part B, each with their own subset of significance criteria. A property must satisfy all four criteria requirements under Part A and must satisfy at least one of the six criteria under Part B. The local City of Beverly Hills Landmark Designation Criteria requirements consist of the following:
A. A landmark must satisfy all of the following requirements:
1. It is at least 45 years (45) years of age, or is a property of extraordinary significance;
2. It possesses high artistic or aesthetic value, and embodies the distinctive characteristics of an architectural style or architectural type or architectural period;
3. It retains substantial integrity1 from its period of significance; and
4. It has continued historic value to the community such that its designation as a landmark is reasonable and necessary to promote and further the purposes of this article.
B. In addition to the requirements set forth in Paragraph A above, a landmark must satisfy at least one of the following requirements:
1. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places;
2. It is an exceptional work2 by a master architect;3
1 In BHMC 10-3-3202, the Ordinance defines “substantial integrity” as “integrity that is considerable in importance, value, degree, amount, or extent, and that continues to exist, or would have continued to exist, but for work done without appropriate permits after the enactment of this architect.” 2 In BHMC 10-3-3202, the Ordinance defines “exceptional work” as “a remarkably superior example of architectural work that has been recognized as such by members of the architectural community. At a minimum, the work’s exceptional quality shall have been documented by at least one of the following: a) it was the subject of a major architectural award; b) it was substantially discussed (i.e. not just mentioned) and photographically depicted in at least two (2) publications (e.g. a book, PEER REVIEW ASSESSMENT: ESA Historical Resources Assessment – 910 North Roxbury Drive 5 3. It is an exceptional work that was owned and occupied by a person of great importance, and was directly connected to a momentous event in the person’s endeavors or the history of the nation. For purposes of this paragraph, personal events such as birth, death, marriage, social interaction, and the like shall not be deemed to be momentous;
4. It is an exceptional property that was owned and occupied by a person of great local prominence;
5. It is an iconic property;4 or
6. The landmark designation procedure is initiated, or expressly agreed to, by the owner(s) of the property.
The ESA report evaluated the subject property against City of Beverly Hills Landmark Designation Criteria to establish historical significance or lack thereof sufficient enough in processing a “Certificate of Ineligibility” application. ESA found the property ineligible for designation as a City of Beverly Hills landmark as it satisfies only one of the four requirements under Landmark Designation Criteria part A and none of the requirements under part B (BHMC 10-3-3212).
Based on a review of the evaluation report by ESA, additional research conducted by OAC on the property, and an independent analysis of the eligibility criteria and integrity thresholds for local designation as a City of Beverly Hills Landmark, it is OAC’s professional opinion that the property located at 910 North Roxbury Drive, designed by master architect Robert V. Derrah, appears ineligible for local landmarking due to compromised historical integrity. OAC concurs with the evaluation findings of the ESA report in that the subject property does not appear to satisfy all four of the Landmark Designation Criteria required under Part A of the City’s Historic Preservation Ordinance and none of the six criteria under Part B.
Conclusion
Despite some narrative inadequacies, contextual misinterpretation of research data, discrepancies with the architectural description, and inclusion of extraneous material, OAC, upon conducting additional research and review, finds there is sufficient information to evaluate the property in proper context. OAC also concurs with the conclusionary findings of the ESA assessment in that the residence located at 910 North Roxbury Drive does not satisfy the required mandates of the City of Beverly Hills’ Landmark Designation Criteria (BHMC 10-3-3212). Because of the lack of historical integrity the property does not possess any architectural value and is not a representative example of the work by a notable master architect, Robert V. Derrah (who is included in the City’s List of Master Architects).
As such, the subject property appears ineligible for listing as a City of Beverly Hills landmark.
treatise, trade magazine article, film, or set of photographs made available to the public by an institutional archive) authored by acknowledged experts in the field of architecture. A monograph or publication made available to the public solely in electronic form and without any reasonable expectation of compensation to the author, or substantially authored by the architect of the work, shall not count toward this minimum.” 3 In BHMC 10-3-3202, the Ordinance defines “master architect” as “an architect of widely recognized greatness in the field of architecture whose individual genius influenced his or her age.” BHMC 10-3-3202, the Ordinance also defines “List of Local Master Architects,” as “a list maintained by the city that includes master architects as defined in this article who have designed properties in the city.”
4 In BHMC 10-3-3202, the Ordinance defines “iconic property” as “a property that has been visited and photographed so often by residents and visitors to the city that it has become inextricably associated with Beverly Hills in the popular culture and forms part of the city’s identity to the world at large.”
PEER REVIEW ASSESSMENT: ESA Historical Resources Assessment – 910 North Roxbury Drive 6 ATTACHMENT A
910 North Roxbury Drive
Beverly Hills, California
ALTERATION/MODIFICATION DIAGRAM
PEER REVIEW ASSESSMENT: ESA Historical Resources Assessment – 910 North Roxbury Drive 8 ATTACHMENT B
910 North Roxbury Drive
Beverly Hills, California
ORIGINAL ARCHITECTURAL PLANS, 1934
(front/rear elevations and front entry area detail)
ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS
910 NORTH ROXBURY DRIVE, BEVERLY HILLS (1934)
ROBERT VINCENT DERRAH, ARCHITECT
ROBERT VINCENT DERRAH PAPERS, ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN COLLECTION, ART, DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE MUSEUM, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA BARBARA Dentzel, E. P. House, 910 North Roxbury (Beverly Hills, Calif.) undated (c.1934) Collection Scope and Contents Note: 12 drawings of plans, sections, elevations, details, and full size details.
Drawer 361, Flat File 51
WEST (FRONT) ELEVATION, 1934
ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS
910 NORTH ROXBURY DRIVE, BEVERLY HILLS (1934)
ROBERT VINCENT DERRAH, ARCHITECT
EAST (REAR) ELEVATION, 1934
ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS
910 NORTH ROXBURY DRIVE, BEVERLY HILLS (1934)
ROBERT VINCENT DERRAH, ARCHITECT
PLOT PLAN, 1934
ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS
910 NORTH ROXBURY DRIVE, BEVERLY HILLS (1934)
ROBERT VINCENT DERRAH, ARCHITECT
FRONT ENTRY DETAIL PLAN, 1934