Cultural Heritage Board
Memorandum
Community & Economic Development Department Planning Division 3900 Main Street, Riverside, CA 92522 | Phone: (951) 826-5371 | RiversideCA.gov
PC-2026-00544
CULTURAL HERITAGE BOARD MEETING DATE: JUNE 17 , 202 6 AGENDA ITEM NO.: 7
PROPOSED PROJECT
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommend that the Cultural Heritage Board recommend that the City Council:
1. DETERMINE that Planning Case PC- 2026-00544 ( Historic Designation ) for the designation of Edie as a City Landmark is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Rule) and 15308 (Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment), as the proposal will have no significant effect on the environment, identifies the structure as a cultural resource, and preserves the historic character of a cultural resource; and
Case
Numbers PC-2026-00544 (Historic Designation)
Request To consider a Historic Designation request to designate Edie as a City Landmark
Applicant
Jen Mermilliod of JM
Research & Consulting,
on behalf of Anna
Gaissert and Dominick
Ricci
Project
Location
5958 Edith Avenue ,
situated on the southeast
corner of Lincoln and Edith
Avenues
APN 235-292-004
Ward 4
Neighborhood Hawarden Hills
Historic District Not Applicable
Historic
Designation Not Applicable
Staff Planner
Andrew Medrano, Assistant Planner
951-826-2473
[email protected]
PC-2026-00544
2. APPROVE Planning Case PC-2026-00544 (Historic Designation), based on the facts of findings, and designate Edie as a City Landmark.
BACKGROUND
Edie
Edie is located at 5958 Edith Avenue (Exhibit 1). The Mid-Century Modern architectural style residence was designed by E. Kurt Steinmann and constructed between late 1966 and early 1967. Steinmann was commissioned by owners Dr. Robert R. Robinson and Margaret R. Robinson.
Steinmann’s award-winning home on Fairview was a popular example of the modern architectural style in the Victoria and Hawarden Hills Neighborhoods . Dr. Robert R.
Robinson, founder and owner of Victoria Animal hospital, and his wife, Margaret R.
Robinson, were among the many that toured Steinmann’s home. This led to the Robinsons hiring Steinmann to design their future home at 5958 Edith Avenue.
Mid-Century Modern
The 2009 Modernism Historic Context Statement discusses Mid-Century Modern as follows:
Perhaps in response to criticisms that modern architecture was too sterile, architects began experimenting with shapes, materials, and color. Mid -Century Modern is a term used to describe the evolution of the International Style after World War II. Mid -Century Modern architecture is more organic and less doctrinaire than the International Style. It is characterized by more solid wall surfaces. It was during this period that stacked brick became a popular material in commercial and educational buildings …In residential buildings, the post -and- beam became the preferred method of construction for Mid -Century Modern architects.
Character-defining Features of Mid-Century Modern
• Simple geometric forms
• Post-and-beam construction
• Flat or low-pitched gabled roofs
• Flush mounted steel framed windows or large single -paned wood-framed windows
• Exterior staircases, decks, patios, and balconies
• Brick or stone often used as primary or accent material E. Kurt Steinmann
E. Kurt Steinmann was a prominent Swiss -born architect who left a lasting architectural footprint in Riverside. He is best known for his role as a principal designer at the firm Ruhnau, Evans, and Steinmann, which he joined in the mid-1950s. Key works of his include the Riverside City College Cosmetology Building (1958) , UCR’s Health Services Building (1963) and Agricultural Sciences Library (1965) , the Main Street Pedestrian Mall (1966), and City Hall and Council Chambers (1975).
During the 1970s, municipal architecture was heavily dominated by raw, imposing Brutalism. Steinmann famously blended it with New Formalism to contrast the starkness of the style. He incorporated this vision as the lead of design on the City Hall project.
PC-2026-00544
Beyond large public structures, Steinmann influenced residential architecture as well. In 1963, he designed his own family residence at 2127 Fairview Avenue , known as the "Horizon Home." The home , a showcase for early concrete and block innovation, became a regional case study for seamless indoor -outdoor living, featuring extensive glass windows and entries with functional floor plans that have been celebrated on historic architectural tours. Steinmann won a design award for his home in a competition that included over 200 homes across the country.
Steinmann was also an early proponent of adaptive reuse before it became a standard practice in modern architecture. In 1967, he help ed transform a historic Julia Morgan - designed YWCA building , which included a swimming pool and gymnasium , into the modern galleries and studios used by the Riverside Art Museum today.
Naming Justification
The applicants propose the name Edie (a common affectionate nickname for Edith) for the residence to honor the street name and the home's "shy" character, featuring a secluded entrance and a yard that opens upon entering. Inspired by non -traditional naming conventions, the name encompasses the entire site rather than just the home.
The name is also connected to significant figures of the property, as it is both the name of Steinmann’s sister and the name of the mother of Bernice Wilson, who was a part of the subdivision of this neighborhood in 1959.
ANALYSIS
The applicant is requesting approval of a Historic Designation to designate Edie as a City Landmark.
The applicant has provided an architectural description, statement of significance, photographs documenting the architecture and building setting, and copies of primary and secondary sources as summarized below (Exhibits 2 and 3).
Architectural Description
Edie is located at 5958 Edith Avenue . This Mid-Century Modern home sits on a small rise at the intersection of Lincoln and Edith Avenues. Built on a T -shaped concrete slab, the residence is turned away from the street, facing north/northeast. The home features a deep overhanging flat roof with exposed heavy roof beams on the interior and topped with small white gravel. Primary walls consist of wood -framed construction finished in textured stucco , with a matching chimney . Two perpendicular wall s run along the northwestern elevations with one extending north past the north elevation to shield a rear patio. The other, a freestanding wall, is offset from the residence , shielding a planter of camelias and incorporated with an aluminum rolling gate, which leads to the attached sunken carport.
Floor to ceiling aluminum-framed fixed sash windows with transoms make up the primary windows. Secondary windows include original aluminum sliders on the east and west rear elevations. Three jalousie windows, which were not visible from the street , have been replaced with double -hung vinyl windows. T hree floating concrete steps lead to an elevated porch serving as the main entry. The front door consists of a double slab -door
PC-2026-00544
entry set within a wall of full-height fixed windows and transoms. The entry is lit by an iconic mid-century opal globe fixture on the perpendicular CMU wall.
The original driveway filled the front expanse with linear board separated strips. However, several replacement sections have created an irregular cross-grid pattern. The rear yard is enclosed by a mix of wood, block, and chain link fencing, separated from the front yard, in part, by the vehicular gate. It features a central patio, sheltered by extensions of the eaves. The rear yard is also planted with open turf, shrubs, and several mature trees that include rows of citrus trees on the west and south property lines.
Statement of Significance
As stated on the DPR Form by Jen Mermilliod:
Edie embodies the character -defining features of the Mid -Century Modern architectural style and is an excellent, high -style example of the innovative work of master architect E. Kurt Steinmann in residential design. The property appears eligible for designation as a City of Riverside Landmark under Criterion 3:
“Embodies distinctive characteristics of a style, type, period, or method of construction, or is a valuable example of the use of indigenous materials or craftsmanship” and under Criterion 4: “Repres ents the work of a notable builder, designer, or architect, or important creative individual.” Thus, the property has been assigned a California Historical Resource (CHR) Status Code of 5S3: Appears to be individually eligible for local listing or designation through survey evaluation.
TITLE 20 EVALUATION
Under Title 20 (Cultural Resources), “Landmark” means: “Any improvement or natural feature that is an exceptional example of a historical, archaeological, cultural, architectural, community, aesthetic or artistic heritage of the City, that retains a high degree of integrity.” Based on the applicable criteria from Chapter 20.50 of Title 20, Edie qualifies for Landmark Designation as follows:
FINDING: Criterion 3: Embodies distinctive characteristics of a style, type, period or method of construction, or is a valuable example of the use of indigenous materials or craftsmanship.
FACTS: E. Kurt Steinmann heavily relied on classic Mid-century Modern principles to shape the design and layout of Edie . He incorporated several character- defining features of the style, including prominent horizontal lines, a sunken attached carport, a flat overhanging roof with visible structural beams extending from the interior to exterior , and extensive floor -to-ceiling, transom, and high-set windows. The home also features a hidden entryway and secluded private patios created by concrete masonry blocks. Driven by the philosophy that buildings should blend seamlessly into their natural environments, Steinmann gathered local leaves to p erfectly calibrate his exterior paint colors, ultimately selecting Ameritone Leaf Green for the home's accent color.
FINDING: Criterion 4: Represents the work of a notable builder, designer, or architect, or important creative individual.
PC-2026-00544
FACTS: For two decades, E. Kurt Steinmann worked as an architect in Riverside. His designs for the Ruhnau, Evans, and Steinmann firm created lasting public spaces. These locations continue to influence the city’s civic, academic, and community identity.
Steinmann’s career spanned a wide variety of architectural projects throughout Riverside and the surrounding region. He designed schools, universities, libraries, post offices, medical facilities, hotels, commercial properties, and private homes.
He was highly active in professional leadership. He joined the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Pasadena Chapter in 1954. Later, he served as secretary and vice president for the inland chapter.
In the late 1970s, he relocated to Cayucos to co -found Steinmann West Associates (which later became Steinmann, West, Keksi Architects) with partner Don West. During this period, he presided over the AIA Central Coast Chapter, lectured at multiple universities, and earned at least fourteen national design awards.
PUBLIC NOTICE AND COMMENTS
A public hearing notice was mailed to property owners within 300 feet of the site. As of the writing of this report, no responses have been received by Staff regarding this proposal.
APPEAL INFORMATION
Actions by the Cultural Heritage Board, including any environmental findings , may be appealed to the City Council within ten calendar days after the decision. Appeal filing and processing information may be obtained from the Planning Division by calling 951 - 826-5800.
EXHIBITS LIST
1. Aerial/Location Map
2. Historic Designation Application
3. Current Photos
Prepared by: Andrew Medrano, Assistant Planner
Reviewed by: Scott Watson, Historic Preservation Officer Approved by: Laurel Reimer, City Planner
PC-2026-00544
Exhibit 1 - Aerial/Location Map N
VICTORIA AVE
H
A
W
A
R
D
E
N
D
R
DICKENS ST
P
I E D M O N T D
R
EDITH AVE
L I N C O L N A V E
COPPERFIELD AVE
CHAUNCY PL
VISTA DE VICTORIA
0 125 250
Feet
Project Site
Parcels
"Edie"
5958 Edith Ave
Cultural Resources Nomination Application
City Landmark Structure of Merit
Please check the Designation for which you are applying
IDENTIFICATION
1. Common name:
2. Historic Name:
3. Street address:
City State Zip
4. Assessor Parcel number:
5. Present Legal Owner:
City State Zip
6. Present Use:
7. Original Use:
Date form prepared:
Preparer:
Sponsoring Organization (if any):
Address:
City, State and Zip:
Phone:
X
Edie
5958 Edith Avenue
Riverside CA 92506
235-292-004
Anna Gaissert and Dominick Ricci
Riverside CA 92506
Single-family residence
Single-family residence
Jen Mermilliod, JMRC
April 8, 2026
4076 Brockton Avenue, Suite 201
Riverside, CA 92501
(951) 233-6897
JM Research and Consulting
Jennifer Mermilliod, M.A., Principal
Architectural Historian|Historian| Preservation Planner
4076 Brockton Avenue, Ste. 201 Riverside, CA 92501 | (951) 233-6897 | [email protected]
MEMORANDUM
DATE: May 2, 2026
TO: Scott Watson, Historic Preservation Officer
City of Riverside
FROM: Jen Mermilliod, JMRC
SUBJECT: Edie Landmark Designation
JM Research & Consulting (JMRC) is pleased to submit a Cultural Resources Nomination Application for City Landmark for Edie, a residential property located at 5958 Edith Avenue.
Constructed in 1966, the residence was commissioned by Robert and Margaret Robinson and designed by E. Kurt Steinmann in the Mid-century Modern architectural style. Regionally active, the Swiss-born master architect is best known locally for his civic, academic, and community works as lead design architect for the firm owned by Herman O. Ruhnau, Principal. His designs for the firm include Riverside City College’s Cosmetology Building (1958) and Cutter Park Pool Complex (1958), UCR’s Health Services Building (1963) and Agricultural Sciences Library (1965); the Main Street Pedestrian Mall (1966); and City Hall and Council Chambers (1975), among many more.
Inspired by his 1963 award winning “Horizon Home” in Riverside, Edie is a rare example of Steinmann’s ability in high-style residential design and embodies the character-defining features of the Mid-century Modern style, including site orientation, strong horizontal lines, and use of color to blend the structure into the landscape; an attached sunken carport; flat roof with heavy exposed roof beams and ceiling boards; extensive use of glass in full-height, transom, and clerestory fenestration; a shielded entry and deeply sheltered private patios; and the use of concrete and concrete masonry block.
This exceptional residence, which turns 60 years old this year, is under the good stewardship of second owners, Anna Gaissert and Dominick Ricci, and is well deserving of historic recognition as a City Landmark.
Best Regards,
Jennifer Mermilliod, Principal, JMRC
JM Research and Consulting
Jennifer Mermilliod, M.A., Principal
Architectural Historian|Historian| Preservation Planner
4076 Brockton Avenue, Ste. 201 Riverside, CA 92501 | (951) 233-6897 | [email protected] Statement of Qualifications
Jennifer Mermilliod, M.A., Principal Architectural Historian exceeds the Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualifications Standards as a Historian and Architectural Historian based on her Master of Arts degree in History with a Focus in Historic Pre servation from the University of California, Riverside, and over 25 years of professional work in southern California. She has extensive experience in the production and management of a variety of projects, including National Register and California Regist er nominations, local designations, large-scale surveys, and Section 106 and CEQA reviews. She has engaged in policy and preservation planning, project management, and oversight of restoration work, served as a consultant and expert witness, developed training and educational programs, and presented professionally on historic preservation and related topics. Ms. Mermilliod is fluent in regulatory compliance and proficient at applying eligibility criteria, analyzing project impacts, and developing successful design solutions, mitigation, and specifications. With project size ranging from a single property to thousands of parcels, Ms.
Mermilliod works extensively throughout the region and is thoroughly familiar with the history and development of Riverside and southern California.
DESCRIPTION
8. Legal property description:
Include approximate property size (in feet): Street Frontage Depth
9. Architectural Style:
10. Construction Date: Estimated Factual
Source of Information: Assessor's Records Building Permit Sanborn Map Publications Oral Interviews
11. Architect's Name: Builder's Name:
12. Condition: Excellent Good Fair Deteriorated No longer in existence
13. Alterations:
14. Surroundings:
Open Land Scattered Buildings Densely Built-Up
15. Use type:
Residential Industrial Commercial Civic
Other
16. Is the structure on its original site?
Yes No Unknown
If moved, approximate year
17. Related features and/or out-buildings:
LOT 2 MB 038/037 VICTORIA HIGHLANDS
66 200
Mid-century Modern
X
___ Newspapers
X
X
X
X
X
E. Kurt Steinmann G.A. O'Rourke
None
Original jalousie windows (3) replaced
SIGNIFICANCE
18. Historical Attributes:
Unknown Government Building Folk Art
Single Family Educational Building Street Furniture
Multiple Family Religious Building Landscape Architecture Ancillary Building Railroad Depot Trees/Vegetation
Hotel/Motel Train Urban Open Space
Bridge Rural Open Space Canal/Aqueduct
Farm/Ranch Industrial Building Dam
Military Property Public Utility Building Lake/River/Reservoir CCC/WPA Structure Theater Ethnic Minority Prop.
Engineering Structure Highway/Trail Civic Auditorium
Amusement Park Woman's Property Monument/Mural/Gravestone Cemetery Hospital Stadium
Mine Community Center/Social Hall
Commercial Building, 1-3 stories Commercial Building, over 3 stories Other:
19. Architectural Description
20. Statement of Significance
21. Bibliography
22. Photographs
X
See DPR Forms, attached
See DPR Forms, attached
See DPR Forms, attached
See DPR Forms, attached
__
__
23. Letter from property owner (if other than applicant) See Letter, attached
Additional Documentation (attached):
Historic Photos - Edie Under Con struction, 1966
Property Owner Rationale for Landmark Name :
Regarding the name of the property, it’s important to us that the name encompass the entire site—both the built and natural environments, since the connection an d continuity between th e two is especially strong in mid-century modern architecture. Our reference points for property names that do not contain the word ‘house’ or ‘residence’: John Lautner’s Silvertop, Frank Lloyd Wright’s La Miniatura, Filoli, Vizcaya, Greystone and The Breakers. Edith reflects a vestige of the era in which the house was built. It was the name of Steinmann’s beloved sister and the mother of Donald Wilson, who subdivided the neighborhood. We decided to use the diminutive to reflect the “shy” character of the house, whose front door is askance from street view and whose yard opens up only upon entering.
DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information
State of California The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial
* Recorded by Jennifer Mermilliod *Date April 22, 2026 Continuation Update *P3a. Description:
This one-story, Mid-century Modern single -family residence turns its façade from the street to face north/northeast from a small rise above the bulb-out at the intersection of Edith and Lincoln Avenue s. The residence is laid on a generally T-shaped plan atop a concrete slab foundation and is topped by a flat roof covered with small white gravel (reroofed in-kind in 2006) . Heavy roof beams spanned with tongue -and-groove boards are exposed in wide exterior eaves and throughout most of the interior. W ood-framed walls are clad in textured stucco, and a now- painted, 4- inch concrete masonry unit ( CMU) wall laid in running bond pattern forms the front wall perpendicular to the main façade and extends northerly to shield a small rear patio. A matching free-standing wall before the façade shields a planter of camellias and is interrupted by a rolling vehicular gate clad with horizontal aluminum siding panels. The masonry blocks are repeated in low front garden walls planted with shrubs and an endwall chimney at the juncture of the sunken, attached carport. Fenestration consists primarily of tall aluminum-framed, fixed sash with transoms, fixed clerestory windows, and sliding glass doors. Three tall jalousie windows have been replaced with double -hung vinyl- framed windows in original openings, none of which are visible from the street (one on the façade and two on the rear, east elevation) , and two original aluminum-framed sliding windows are found in the rear, one on the east -facing elevation and one on the west -facing elevation. A short flight of three concrete floating steps (railing removed) access an elevated concrete porch and a double slab-door entry, which is offset within a ribbon of full -height fixed windows with transoms and lit by an opal globe light fixture on the perpendicular front CMU wall . The driveway, which was previously misnomered as a motor court, fills the front expanse with board separated concrete laid in linear, east -west strips ; a number of later replacement sections have i ntroduced an irregular, cross-grid pattern. A wood fence with pedestrian and vehicular gates on the west and low chainlink fencing on the east separates the rear yard, which is enclosed by a mix of wood, block, and chainlink. A large central rear patio in the el of the T -shaped plan is sheltered by a deep extension of the eave, and the rear yard is planted with turf, shrubs, and several mature trees, including a n avocado tree; citrus rows al ign the west and south property lines. The property is in excellent condition and retains integrity.
*B10. Signi
ficance:
Located between the Gage Canal and Victoria Avenue at the northerly terminus of Lincoln Avenue, the property was first developed for agricultural use in the late- 1890s as part of Arlington Heights with the construction of the Gage Canal, which brought irrigation to the area and doubled the citrus acreage under cultivation in the City. Further subdivided as part of Victoria Highlands (1959) by Donald M. and Berenice D.
Wilson, the property joined in the post-WWII suburban wave of residential development that would eventually transform the vast citrus acreage into curving streets and cul-de-sacs.
Edie was designed by Swiss architect Eugen —pronounced Oy-G an—Kurt Steinmann (1926-2 017). Born in the Swiss countryside between Kri
ens and Lucerne, E. Kurt Steinmann, as he went by, was among the émigré architects to introduce European principles of modernism to Southe
rn California in the mid-2 0th century. In the mid-1 950s, he joined the local firm of principal architect Herman O. Ruhnau, and in 1962, he became a named partner and the head of design at the firm, then known as Ruhnau, Evans, Brown , and Steinmann and later as Ruhnau, Evans, and Steinmann. Th e firm’s projects included publi c, institutional, commercial, and industrial buildings.
In 1963, Steinmann individu ally won the Western regional design award for his entry in the Horizon Homes national competition sponsored by the Portland Cement Association (PCA). Running annually from 1960 until 1966, the competition promoted the use of concrete in residential construction, and model home entries by an architect-b uilder team were made primarily of the cementitious mix. Unlike the renowned futuristic Case Study
Houses (1945-1 966) sponsored by Arts & Architectu re magazine, Horizon Ho mes extended an open invitation to any architect or builder who wanted to participate and delivered on the promise of accessibility, affordability, and mass production. Exclusive of land and appliances, sale or reproduction price of the house was not permitted to exceed $25,000. The competition yielded more than 200 Horizon Homes entries across the country, which created a demand for more like them. Hundreds of thousands of public visitors toured the entries, acquainting themselves with the potential of concrete as a residential material. Providing proof of concept, the model homes
were not only entries in the competition, but sales tools for concrete, and the modern architectural styles that favored it, and received wide and resource-i ntensive promotional support from PCA.
Ste
inmann’s Horizon Home, located at 2127 Fairview Avenue in Riverside, featured a floating slab and extra -wide 4 ½ - foot wide eave overhang; sandblasted masonry walls and aluminum-f ramed, sliding glass doors; floating precast concrete fireplace and built-i n walnut furniture and paneling; a
carport; concrete block garden walls; and exposed aggregate patios, walks, and driveway. In his own words, Steinmann conveyed his
design philosophy in the entry’s brochure: “Lasting economy and permanent beauty assured by appropriate materials and imaginative
design makes possible the skillful practicality of living well.” Edie’s original owners —husband and wife Dr.
Robert R. Robinson,
a military veteran, founder and owner of Victoria Animal Hospital, and UCR campus veterinarian, and Margaret R.
Robinson, both of whom were actively engaged in Riverside civic life—w ere among the 12,000 people who toured Steinmann’s winning entry. Inspired, the Robinsons
commissioned Steinmann to design their family home, which was financed with a CalVet Home Loan.
Havi
ng lived in the model home with his own family after its completion, Steinmann gained special insight into the practical merits of concrete and ad
vised the Robinsons against concrete walls in favor of wood-f ram ed construction with stucco exterior. Fully immersed in the Mid-century Modern aesthetic, Steinmann employed its robust register of character -defin ing features in Edie’s site orientation; strong horizontal lines; att
ached sunken carport; flat roof with heavy exposed roof beams and ceiling boards; extensive use of glass in full -height , transom, and cle
restory fenestration; shielded entry and deeply sheltered private patios; and use of concrete and concrete masonry block. Striving for his desi
gns to “melt into the landscape” (Janes 2025), Steinmann often collected boxes of leaves from trees on project sites to color match paint. For DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information
State of California The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial
Page of 9 *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) Edie * Recorded by Jennifer Mermilliod *Date April 22, 2026 Continuation Update Edie’s accent color, he selected Ameritone Leaf Green, which blends seamlessly into the surrounding lan dscape.
Steinmann p racticed in Riverside for 20 years . Many of his projects for the Ruhnau, Evans, and Steinmann firm are gathering places that c
ontinue to shape the fabric of civic, academic, and community life in the City: Riverside City College’s Cosmetology Building (1958), Cutter Park Pool Complex (1958), and Master Plan (1963); University of California, Riverside’s Entomology Building Addition (1960), Health Services Building (1963), and Agricultural Sciences Library (1965); the Main Street Pedestrian Mall (1966); the Riverside Art Museum (RAM)
redevelopment of the 1929 Julia Morgan YWCA Building (1966); and City Hall and Council Chambers (1975) for which he drew a modern version of Riverside’s iconic Raincross emblem from the 1969 Livingston and Blayney General Plan for the City of River
side and permanently stamped the symbol into the ends of the building’s cantilevered concrete beams.
O
ver the course of his career, Steinmann designed public schools, colleges, universities , l ibraries, post offices, hospitals, hotels, commercial and mixed-use buildings, and residences in Riverside and the region. In 1954, he belonged to the American Institute of Architects Pasadena chapter .
By 1972, he had served as secretary and was then vice president of the Inland chapter. In the late -1970s , he founded Steinmann West Associates—later Steinmann, West, Keksi Architects—in Cayucos with partner Don West, was President of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Central Coast chapter, spoke as a lecturer at various universities, and won at least 14 national design awards. Before recently, Steinmann ha
d received little recognition for his contribution to the architectural fabric of Riverside. His name was freq uently misspe lled—Curt, Kirk, Steinman, Stienmann—and, having departed for the Central Coast of California by the time of City Hall’s completion in 1975, he was omitted from the dedicatory plaque and his association forgotten over time. This affront was rectified by the recent Landmark designa ti on of City Hall, in which Steinmann was recognized as a master architect in his own right, and his name as part of the commissioned firm —R uhnau, Evans and Steinmann—was included on the Landmark plaque (2025).
Edie embodies the character -defining features of the Mid-Century Modern architectural style and is an excellent, high -style example of the i
nnovative work of master architect E. Kurt Steinmann in residential design. The property appears eligible for designation as a City of Riverside Landmark under Criterion 3: “Embodies distinctive characteristics of a style, type, period, or method of construction, or is a valuable example of t
he use of indigenous materials or craftsmanship” and under Criterion 4: “Repres ents the work of a notable builder, designer, or architect, or i
mportant creative individual.” Thus, the property has been assigned a California Historical Resource (CHR) Status Code of 5S 3: Appears to be individually eligible for local listing or designation through survey evaluation. *B12. References:
A
rchitect and Engineer. 1954. “P asadena C ha pter,” J an. 12: Vol . 196. No. 1.
City of Riverside. 1897. Subdivision of the Fractional Pa rt of the East ½ of Section 2, T .3.S., R. 5.W., S.B.M. H ereafter to be Known as Blk. F.
Arlington Heights and of Blk. E. Arlington Heights, M.B. 2/12.
City of Riverside. 1959. Victoria Highlands, M.B. 38/37.
City of Riverside. 1966. Plan Check Comments: Re sidence f or Dr . and Mrs. Ro bert R . Robinson, 5958 Edith Street, Ri verside.
Colton Carrier. 1963. “Horizon Home Will Premiere This Month,” Sept 15.
Cook, Di ane ( ed.). 1977. “C o unty Circle,” San Luis Obispo County Telegram-Tr ibune , Jan 4.
Cultural Heritage Board. 2025. Riverside Ci ty H all Landmark Designation, DP-20 25 -00469 (HD) Staff Report and Presentation, Jun 18.
Daily Enterprise. 1972. “I n land Chapter Riverside Architect is AIA Cha pter P resident,” Jan 20.
Donadio, Devanie, Ruhnau Clarke Architects. 20 22. E mail to An na Gaissert, D ec 21.
Historic Re sources G r o up (HRG). 2013. Ci t y of Ri verside C itywide Modernism Int ensive S urvey.
Janes, David. 2025. Telephone Interview with Drafter at Steinmann West Associates in Cayucos by Anna Ga issert, F eb 17.
JMRC (JM Research & Consulting). 2025. Cultural Resources Nomination App lication f or Ci ty L a n dmark: Riverside City Hall, Apr 23.
JMRC (JM Re search & C onsulting). 2025. Riverside Ci ty Hall Landmark Plaque.
L
os Angeles Times. 19 63. “N ational Home Week—Showcase for Builders,” Sept 8.
Los An geles T imes. 1963. “Riverside House Given Two Awards in Contest,” Nov 24.
L
os Angeles Times. 1963. “A rchitect a nd Builder Honored for Pr ize H om e,” D ec 29.
P
ark, Walter. 2020. “How We Got He re: T he Story of the Riverside Art Museum” in Celebrating 150 Y ears of Riverside. Riverside Historical S
ociety: Riverside, Ca lifornia.
Mermilliod, Jennifer and Philip Falcone. 2025. City Hall 50: Building a City Be a utiful. Ri verside Historical S ociety: Riverside, CA.
N
o author. 1975. “Suggested Tour of Riverside City Hall,” Ri verside P ublic Library, L. H. PAM F iles.
O’Reilly, Lisa Lombardi. 2021. We Sat T ogether and Sang: T he Li ves and Love of L or a and Heinz St e inmann. Your S to ries Written: Santa Barbara, CA.
PCA (Portland Cement As sociation). 1963. Horizon Home in Riverside, California. Promotional Brochure.
PCA (Portland Cement Association). 1963. Award Winners: Concrete Industries Hor izon Home s PCA (Portland Cement As sociation). 1964-1965. Promotion Notes.
R
CC ( R iverside C ity College). 20 20. B oard of T rustees R egular M e eting, N ov 1 7. W e b site: https://rccd.edu/committees/cboc/measure- c/financials/board-of-trustees-reports/01-14-2020_CBOC_Measure_C_Related_Board_Reports.pdf Redlands Daily Facts. 1958. “There Is Something About People Who Build,” Aug 18.
Re
dlands Daily Facts. 1962. “New Name for Riverside Architectural Firm,” May 4.
Riverside Daily Press. 1972. “R iverside’s r aincross ma y be a fr aud, but i t’s a nice kind of a dou ble -cross,” Dec 14. 2 DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information
State of California The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial
Page of 9 *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) Edie * Recorded by Jennifer Mermilliod *Date April 22, 2026 Continuation Update Riverside Daily Press. 1975. “City Hall plaque: Middle initials stay, says council,” Jul 7.
Robinson
, Margaret. 2023. Email Co rres pondence with Original Owner of 5958 Edith Avenue by Anna Ga issert, as tra nscribed by her daughter, Joanne Ro
binson Wood, Jan 17.
R
uhnau, Evans, Brown & Steinmann. 1963. Rivers ide City College General Devel opment Plan. Held by the Salvator G. Rote lla Digital Library.
San Bernardino C ounty Sun. 1962. “Major Architectural Firm Advan ces Pair, Changes Name,” Jun 5.
San Bernardino C ounty Sun. 1963. “Area Builder Archi tect Wins 1963 Horizon Homes Award,” Dec 2.
Steinmann, E.
Kurt. 1966. Residence for Dr. and Mrs. Robert R. Robinson, 5958 Edith Street, Riverside. Architectural D rawings.
Quick, Richard Stroebe. 196 7. Residence for Dr. and Mrs. Robert R. Robinson, 5958 Edith Street, Riverside. Landscape Plans.
St
ei
nmann, Johan (John). 1989. What I Was & What I Did. A to Z Printing Company: River side, California.
Stei
nmann, Josef. 2025. Teleph one Interview with Son of Architect E. Kurt Steinmann by Anna Gaissert, Feb 7.
Forem
an, T.E. 1981. “What’s Happe ning,” Riverside Daily Press, Nov 19.
UCR ( U
niversity of C alifornia, R iverside). 1 964. L ong Range D evelopment P lan. W ebsite: https://lrdp.ucr.edu/sites/default/files/2021 - 07/UCR_LRDP_1964.pdf
UC
R (University of California, Riverside). 2021. Long Range Development Plan. Websi te: https://pdc.ucr.edu/sites/default/files/2021- 07/E_Cultural%20Resources%20Supporting%20Information_0.pdf
P5b. A
dditional Photographs:
Edie façade entr
y, view south/southwest
3 Page
DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information
State of California The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial
* Recorded by Jennifer Mermilliod *Date April 22, 2026 Continuation Update Edi
e façade, secondary front elevation, and driveway, view east/southeast DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information
State of California The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial
* Recorded by Jennifer Mermilliod *Date April 22, 2026 Continuation Update Ed
ie street view highlighting orientation to the street, view southeast DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information
State of California The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial
* Recorded by Jennifer Mermilliod *Date April 22, 2026 Continuation Update Edi
e façade fenestration, eave, and roof beams behind freestanding garden wall, view southwest DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information
State of California The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial
* Recorded by Jennifer Mermilliod *Date April 22, 2026 Continuation Update Int
erior view of façade fenestration and continuation of open beam and ceiling boards, view northeast DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information
State of California The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial
* Recorded by Jennifer Mermilliod *Date April 22, 2026 Continuation Update Rear
elevation, view northeast
Sheltered, central patio with steps to sunken carport (left), view north/northeast DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information
State of California The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial
* Recorded by Jennifer Mermilliod *Date April 22, 2026 Continuation Update Rear
and east side/rear elevation showing example of double-hung vinyl replacement of jalousie window in original opening, view northwest East side/rear elevation showing small patio behind secondary front elevation block wall, view southwest
Edie under construction, showing rear/east side elevations and owner Mrs. Margaret Robinson and son Don touring the framed rooms, 1966
Edie under construction, showing rear elevation (Note: An intended southerly patio became an enclosed room before completion), 1966
LETTER OF SUPPORT
Scott Watson
Historic Preservation O/f_f.shorticer
City of Riverside
3900 Main Street
Riverside, CA 92522
Date: April 28, 2026
Subject: Edie Landmark Designation
To Scott and the Cultural Heritage Board:
This letter of support accompanies the landmark designation application for the property located at 5958 Edith Avenue, Riverside, CA 92506, known as Edie. The mid-century modern single-family residence was designed by Swiss architect E. Kurt Steinmann, recognized as the design architect of Riverside City Hall (1975) and regional design winner of the Portland Cement Association’s Horizon Homes annual national competition (1963).
Edie was deemed eligible for designation in the 2013 City of Riverside Citywide Modernism Intensive Survey, known as the Modernism II Survey. Documented in the continuation sheet is the 2026 survey update conducted by architectural historian Jennifer Mermilliod of JM Research & Consulting (JMRC), who in the previous year prepared the landmark designation application for Riverside City Hall. Jennifer’s updated survey identi/f.shorties and remedies several inaccuracies and omissions in the Modernism II Survey, including the identi/f.shortication of Edie’s architect.
A Mills Act application is under preparation to follow this Landmark designation submittal.
Please feel free to contact us for additional information.
Sincerely,
Anna Gaissert and Dominick Ricci
Exhibit 3 – Current Photos
Figure 1 – Edie street view highlighting orientation to the street, view southeast
Figure 2 – Edie façade, secondary front elevation, and driveway, view east/southeast
Exhibit 3 – Current Photos
Figure 3 – Edie façade entry, view south/southwest
Figure 4 – Edie façade fenestration, eave, and roof beams behind freestanding garden wall, view southwest
Exhibit 3 – Current Photos
Figure 5 – Interior view of façade fenestration and continuation of open beam and ceiling boards, view northeast
Figure 6 – Rear elevation, view northeast
Exhibit 3 – Current Photos
Figure 7 – Sheltered, central patio with steps to sunken carport (left), view north/northeast
Figure 8 – East side/rear elevation showing small patio behind secondary front elevation block wall, view southwest
Exhibit 3 – Current Photos
Figure 9 – Rear and east side/rear elevation showing example of double-hung vinyl replacement of jalousie window in original opening, view northwest