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ART DECO PRESERVATION AWARDS
GIVEN TO FIVE BAY AREA BUILDINGS
The Art Deco Society of California has announced its Art Deco Preservation Awards for 2005. This year's awards recognize a private home in Berkeley, commercial buildings in Oakland and Palo Alto, a movie theater in Larkspur, and a high school auditorium in King City. The buildings are all fine examples of the Art Deco style that flourished between 1925 and the onset of World War II.
A certificate of appreciation will be given to Oakland Heritage Alliance in recognition of its 25th anniversary.
The 2005 preservation awards were bestowed at the Society's 20th Art Deco Preservation Ball on April 30, held in Historic Sweet's Ballroom in Oakland. (Sweet's received a preservation award in 2000.) The ball featured live music in the Big Band tradition by the Black Tie Jazz Orchestra, and entertainment by the Harlem Shake Burlesque and the Deco Belles.
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The J. W. Harris House
 BERKELEY: the J. W. Harris House (1936), 2300 Le Conte Avenue. One of the rare residences built in the Moderne Style, it was designed by John B. Anthony. Berkeley Heritage's website has an extensive article and photo tour, with photos by Daniella Thompson
You could live here! The owners hope to attract an Art Deco afficianado as the next tenant. The rent, at $2500 a month, is about mid-range for the area and size, not including the architectural appeal. Details: 3 bedroom, 2 bath with a large finished basement and half bath, separate dining room, all wood. Tons of storage and a private garage. Rent is month to month, tenant pays all utilities and deposit is $2500. Call (510)523-0662 and ask for Suzanne or Julius.
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The King City Union High School Auditorium
 KING CITY: the King City Union High School Auditorium, on North Mildred Avenue. Designed in the Moderne style by architect Robert Stanton, it features bas-reliefs by artist Jo Mora. The 1000-seat auditorium held the whole town when it was built in 1939. It's now a community theater, home to the South Monterey County Center for the Performing Arts. Grants from the Packard Foundation and the Community Foundation for Monterey County have helped with restoration.
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The Lark Theatre
 LARKSPUR: The Lark Theatre, 549 Magnolia Avenue. Once dark, this 1940 single screen neighborhood theatre has been brought back to life in 2004 as a state-of-the-art film center to enhance the artistic, cultural and social life of Larkspur/Marin County. The theater architect, William David, also designed the Noyo, a sister theater in Willits. http://www.larktheater.net.
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The Mary Bowles Building
 OAKLAND: The Mary Bowles Building,
1718 Telegraph Ave. Designed by architect Douglas Dacre Stone and called a "fine modern building" by the Oakland Tribune when it opened in 1936, the Mary Bowles Building features a beautiful exterior multi-hued blue-green terra-cotta frieze and exquisite black and silver columns. Owner Parviz Poustincian underwrote a rescue process that has spanned the past three years, and is now open for tenants. Call Ritchie Commercial Real Estate at 510-834-6464 if you would like your office in this gem!
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The Acme Glass Company Building
 PALO ALTO:
the Acme Glass Company Building, 635 Emerson Street.
A brilliant red and white tile facade graces a building that began life as a working shop in 1927. Architect Sigrid L. Rupp designed a seismic upgrade and restoration in 1990.
(David Laws photo)
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Certificates of Appreciation
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Oakland Heritage Alliance (OHA)
Oakland Heritage Alliance (OHA) is a non-profit membership organization which advocates the protection, preservation, and revitalization of Oakland's architectural, historic, cultural and natural resources through publications, education, and direct action. http://www.oaklandheritage.org/ |
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