L.A. Conservancy Offers Rare Glimpse into Historic Garden Apartments

The “mansionization” of Los Angeles and other southland communities has frustrated and angered many residents over the years, as new, large homes replace smaller ones on modest lots, blocking light and views and towering over their neighbors. There was a time in the not too distant past, however, when L.A. saw a completely different type of development – the garden apartment – characterized by expansive open spaces and low density.

Nearly 40 of those “villages in the city” were built between the late 1930s and mid-1950s, and early next month the Los Angeles Conservancy will provide rare public access to three historic garden apartment communities: Village Green in Baldwin Hills (1941), Chase Knolls in Sherman Oaks (1948), and Lincoln Place in Venice (1951).

Village Green. Photo courtesy Architectural Resources Group via the LA Conservancy web site.

Lincoln Place. Photo courtesy AIMCO.

Chase Knolls. Photo courtesy the Kor Group.

As the Los Angeles Conservancy states on its website, the “We Heart Garden Apartments!” event is your chance to see first hand how thousands of people live a “unique and endangered way of life in development-prone L.A.” Participants will also learn about the L.A. Conservancy’s efforts to preserve Wyvernwood in Boyle Heights (1939), L.A.’s first large-scale garden apartment community, which is currently threatened with demolition. Proceeds from the tour support the L.A. Conservancy’s efforts to preserve these and other historic places throughout Los Angeles County.

DETAILS 

What: “We Heart Garden Apartments!” – A one-day tour of three “villages in the city”

When: Saturday, November 1 from 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Where: The opening session will take place at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre, which is centrally located between the tour sites and located at 4401 W 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90005. After you purchase your tickets, you’ll receive an email confirmation with more details.

Tickets: Available online. The cost for this event is $35 general public, $25 L.A. Conservancy members and tour site residents, $15 students, $10 kids 12 and under.