Columbia Square opened its doors on April 30, 1938 with a full day of special broadcasts. The day concluded with a star-studded evening special, "A Salute to Columbia Square," featuring Bob Hope, Al Jolson and Cecil B. DeMille. The building is located on the original site of Nestor Studios, one of the first movie studios in Hollywood, and was designed by Swiss-born architect William Lescaze in the style of International Modernism. The complex was built over the course of a year, at a cost of two million dollars - more money than had ever been spent on a broadcasting facility. Lescaze's sweeping streamline motifs, porthole windows and glass brick were true to Modernist design. In his dedicatory speech, CBS President William Paley remarked, "It is because we believe these new Hollywood headquarters, reflecting many innovations of design and acoustics and control, will improve the art of broadcasting that we have built them and are dedicating them here tonight." In 2009, the building was designated as a historic-cultural monument by the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission. For more information on this project Click Here!
|
|
Commencing
Pilgrim Place
Porter Hall
Founded in 1915 to help provide temporary housing for missionaries, Pilgrim Place is a nonprofit senior community for those serving in religious or charitable organizations. The nonprofit initially had two houses on the grounds of what is now Scripps College, but relocated to its current location in the mid 1920s. Porter Hall was built in 1930 in memory of Mary Porter and houses the library, guest rooms and community conference room.
For additional information on this project and to view photos, please
Click Here!
|
In Progress
Glendale Masonic Temple
Unity Lodge No. 368 was built in 1928 for the Free & Accepted Masons of the State of California. The Art Deco temple was deigned by Arthur George Lindley of teh local firm Lindley & Selkirk and remined the atllest building on Brand Street for many years. The haphazard window pattern reflects the Mason's need for a variety of grand, adn typically windowless, ceremonial rooms. The MasonicTemple was listed on teh Glednal Register of Historic Resources in 1997.
For additional information on this project and to view photos, please Click Here!
|
Completed
Located in San Simeon, Hearst Castle was built by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst and designed by American architect Julia Morgan. Construction on the 250,000 acre estate began in 1919 and included two swimming pools, a tennis court, a movie theater, and three guest cottages. The mansion became famous for hosting the Hollywood and political elite of the day, including Charlie Chaplin, Cary Grant, Winston Churchill, Charles Lindbergh, Franklin Roosevelt and Joan Crawford
For additional information on the project and to view photos, please Click Here!
|
|
El Cortez Hotel
Reno, Nevada
Commissioned by real estate investor Abe Zetooney and designed by father and son architects George and Lehman A. "Monk" Ferris, the six story El Cortez Hotel became Reno's tallest building upon its opening in March of 1931. Decorated in low-relief terra cotta, the Art Deco style hotel originally opened with only 60-rooms. After the hotel gained its first gaming license in 1934, a six-story tower designed by Monk Ferris was added between 1940 and 1941, nearly doubling the number of rooms. Although the hotel closed in 1966, a Chinese restaurant operated in the property from 1972 until 1982.
For more projects Spectra is consulting on, Click Here!
|
|
Irvine Ranch Historic Park Opens
November 2015
The Irvine Ranch was established in the 1860's by James Irvine and was once one of California's largest producers of beans and barley. Today, it is the newly opened Irvine Ranch Historic Park. Spectra Company was on hand at the ribbon cutting ceremony attended by local government officials and a member of the Irvine Family. Spectra was instrumental in fully restoring six of the historic structures, allowing visitors at the park to learn about the historic significance of these buildings and what a day at the ranch would have been like 100 years ago.
|
|
Spectra Company Holiday Party
December 2015
Colleagues and friends recently shared food and good cheer with Spectra Company in the beautiful Rendezvous Court at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel. Guests were even hilariously "Punk'd" by our special guest "Bart" -- played by our own Paul Chambers. This year, the 1st Annual Spectra Design Team Awards honored key members of the project teams with holiday treats. Honorees included: Kelly Sutherlin-Mcleod (KSM Architecture), John Lesak (Page & Turnbull), Jim Wilson (Thirtieth Street Architects), and many more!
|
|
Spectra Company has been featured in numerous media relations. For a list of recent publications please Click Here!
|
|
2015 AIA|LA Design Awards
Spectra Company was recently honored with an award at this year's AIA|LA Design Awards Ceremony for the Hercules Campus. Congratulations to everyone on the team
For more information Click Here!
2015 Governor's Historic Preservation Awards
Spectra Company was recently honored with an award at this year's Governor's Historic Preservation Awards Ceremony for the Robert Pitcairn Jr. House. Congratulations to everyone on the team!
For more information Click Here!
|
 2016 CPF ConferenceNew Acts, New Assets: The Changing Face of Preservation
San Francisco | April 16-20, 2016
Join the California Preservation Foundation and the Presidio Trust in San Francisco to explore our past and look ahead to a 50 year horizon at the Presidio of San Francisco - perhaps the biggest preservation success story of the 20th century.
|
 The Spirit of Giving
Since 1978, the Los Angeles Conservancy has tirelessly advocated to educate and raise awareness of historic places, prevent their needless demolition and empower people to save the places they love. This year, through the generosity of the raffle participants at our recent holiday party, Spectra Company was able to donate $1100 to the LA Conservancy for their continued mission of historic preservation. Now that's a Happy Holiday!
|
|
Social Media - Follow Us!
|
|
