May 19, 2008
LADWP REOPENS LANDMARK ART DECO CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER IN LINCOLN HEIGHTS
Restored Copper and Green Regency Moderne Building Brings New Luster to Historic Neighborhood
LOS ANGELES — May 19, 2008 – After 18 years of being shuttered and in disrepair, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power rededicated its restored landmark Art Deco customer service center on Daly Street in Lincoln Heights today to considerable public acclaim. LADWP customers, community members and preservationists joined LADWP and city officials to celebrate the return of this much admired building to the working fabric of the community.
“This restoration was nothing less than a labor of love for many people of the LADWP,” said Raman Raj, chief operating officer of the department. “While the LADWP owns a considerable network of properties throughout Los Angeles, the Daly Street Customer Service Center stands alone and we could not be more proud to rededicate it looking as grand today as it ever was.”
Said Councilmember Ed Reyes: “As one of the original suburbs of Los Angeles, Lincoln Heights could not be happier for the renewal of this historic structure. What is even more exciting is that we have taken a one-time neighborhood eyesore and converted it into a community resource. This neighborhood investment by our Department of Water and Power is truly appreciated.”
Designed by noted architect S. Charles Lee, of the Max Factor Make-Up Studio and Bruin Theatre fame, this 3,150 square foot building is unique for its bright green and copper façade and two-foot high glass letters that reads: “Municipal Light Water Power.” Lee was hired by the department to refashion a non-descript 1920s brick storefront by giving it a Regency Moderne look juxtaposing flashed opal glass above the marquee set off by green ceramic tiles and copper window and door framing on the street level. Approximately $7,000 was budgeted for the upgrade.
At the time of its opening in 1938, the LADWP displayed an all-electric kitchen in a room separated from the public counter area and offered home economic classes for women of the area.
The building was in constant use until the Whittier Narrows earthquake hit in 1987 that caused serious damage to the structure. After a period, the customer service center was relocated to Avenue 24 and Broadway and the building was unoccupied while also being sought by the Department of Public Works for its use. Meanwhile, preservationists successfully had it designated a Historic-Cultural Monument (No. 384) in August 1988.
The department decided to keep the building in its inventory and set about to do a seismic retrofit and refurbishment installing a heating-ventilation-air conditioning unit, new roof, new lighting, telephone and electrical panel and ADA compliant rest rooms. It was then turned over to for use by the community, but not on a consistent basis. In more recent years, it shuttered completely.
Numerous persons urged the department to restore the building to its former luster rather than continue to rent space a block away at 2223 N. Broadway and Avenue 24.
In 2006, work began anew to retrofit the interior space to 21st Century standards while completely restoring the exterior in keeping with its designated Historic Cultural Monument status at a cost of $2.5 million. A handicap ramp with canopy was built at the rear of the building, interior woodwork was refurbished and a new public counter was installed along with bullet-proof glass and a security system throughout.
LADWP Daly Street Customer Service Center employees, who reopened the building to Monday-through-Friday use on April 21, report a constant stream of customers and very positive feedback on the restoration.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the nation’s largest municipal utility, provides reliable, low-cost water and power services to Los Angeles residents and businesses in an environmentally responsible manner. LADWP services about 1.4 million electric customers and 680,000 water customers in Los Angeles.
Jane Galbraith
Public Affairs, LADWP
(213) 367-8721 (phone)
(213) 278-3401 (cell)
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 19, 2008 Contact: LADWP Public Affairs, 213.367.1361
LADWP Reopens Landmark Art Deco Customer Service Center on Daly Street in Lincoln Heights Retrofitted and Restored, Distinctive Copper and Green Regency Moderne Building Brings New Luster to Historic Neighborhood (LOS ANGELES) May 19, 2008 – After years of being shuttered for repairs and restoration, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power rededicated its landmark Art Deco customer service center on Daly Street in Lincoln Heights today to considerable public acclaim. LADWP customers, community members and preservationists joined LADWP and city officials to celebrate the return of this much-admired building to the working fabric of the community.
“This restoration was nothing less than a labor of love for many people of the LADWP,” said Raman Raj, chief operating officer of the department. “While the LADWP owns a considerable network of properties throughout Los Angeles, the Daly Street Customer Service Center stands alone and we could not be more proud to rededicate it looking as grand today as it ever was.”
Said Councilmember Ed Reyes: “As one of the original suburbs of Los Angeles, Lincoln Heights could not be happier for the renewal of this historic structure. What is even more exciting is that we have taken a one-time neighborhood eyesore and converted it into a community resource. This neighborhood investment by our Department of Water and Power is truly appreciated.”
Designed by noted architect S. Charles Lee, of the Max Factor Make-Up Studio and Bruin Theatre fame, this 3,150 square foot building is unique for its bright green and copper façade and two-foot high glass letters that reads: “Municipal Light Water Power.” Lee was hired by the department to refashion a non-descript 1920s brick storefront by giving it a Regency Moderne look juxtaposing flashed opal glass above the marquee set off by green ceramic tiles and copper window and door framing on the street level. Approximately $7,000 was budgeted for the upgrade.
At the time of its opening in 1938, the LADWP displayed an all-electric kitchen in a room separated from the public counter area and offered home economic classes for women of the area.
The building was in constant use until the Whittier Narrows earthquake hit in 1987 that caused serious damage to the structure. After a period, the customer service center was relocated to Avenue 24 and Broadway and the building was unoccupied while also being sought by the Department of Public Works for its use. Meanwhile, preservationists successfully had it designated a Historic-Cultural Monument (No. 384) in August 1988.
The department decided to keep the building in its inventory and set about to do a seismic retrofit and refurbishment installing a heating-ventilation-air conditioning unit, new roof, new lighting, telephone and electrical panel and ADA compliant rest rooms. It was then turned over to for use by the community, but not on a consistent basis. In more recent years, it shuttered completely.
Numerous persons urged the department to restore the building to its former luster rather than continue to rent space a block away at 2223 N. Broadway and Avenue 24.
In 2006, work began anew to retrofit the interior space to 21st Century standards while completely restoring the exterior in keeping with its designated Historic Cultural Monument status at a cost of $2.5 million. A handicap ramp with canopy was built at the rear of the building, interior woodwork was refurbished and a new public counter was installed along with bullet-proof glass and a security system throughout.
LADWP Daly Street Customer Service Center employees, who reopened the building to Monday-through-Friday use on April 21, report a constant stream of customers and very positive feedback on the restoration.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the nation’s largest municipal utility, provides reliable, low-cost water and power services to Los Angeles residents and businesses in an environmentally responsible manner. LADWP services about 1.4 million electric customers and 680,000 water customers in Los Angeles.
Jane Galbraith
Public Affairs, LADWP
(213) 367-8721 (phone)
(213) 278-3401 (cell)
