Whitley Heights Historic Preservation Overlay Zone

Staff Contact:
Suki Gershenhorn
213-847-3675
suki.gershenhorn@lacity.org
Community Plan Area(s):

Hollywood

Council District(s):
4
Area Planning Commission(s):

Central

Historic Preservation Overlay Zone Board:

Meeting Dates and Time:
2nd and 4th Meeting of each month; 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Meeting Location:
Immaculate Heart Middle and High School on Western and Franklin, 5515 Franklin Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90028
Current Agenda:Central Los Angeles Commissions

Whitley Heights is located in Hollywood, east of the Hollywood Bowl, occupying an area of lush hilly terrain to the north of Franklin Avenue. H.W. Whitley, who also helped develop Reseda, Van Nuys, and Hollywood, considered Whitley Heights his “crowning achievement.” Employing architect A.S. Barnes, Whitley sent him to tour and study the architecture and landscaping of the Mediterranean. Barnes designed the majority of the residences in Whitley Heights from 1918 to 1928, and recreated the ambiance of a Mediterranean village. The beauty and seclusion of Whitley Heights’ architecture and terrain quickly made it the home of Hollywood’s elite: Rudolph Valentino, Tyrone Power, Gloria Swanson, Rosalind Russell, Judy Garland, and Marlene Dietrich all called it home. Unfortunately, the construction of the Hollywood Freeway divided the original layout of the neighborhood and destroyed many houses. However, the use of the Spanish Colonial Revival style in Whitley Heights led the way for the popularity of this architectural style throughout Los Angeles. Whitley Heights Historic District is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The HPOZ was adopted by City Council in 1992.

Street sign showing the neighborhood entrance for Whitley Heights, a historic residential district in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles.
Historic property plaque found on residences within Whitley Heights, the first hillside community in Hollywood and its first National Historic District.
street scene with trees and flowering plants in Whitley Heights, a historic hillside neighborhood in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles.
House is showing Spanish Colonial Revival architectural style
House is showing Mediterranean Revival architecture style with strong Spanish Colonial Revival influences.
House is showing notable example of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, often referred to as Spanish Revival or Mediterranean Revival.
House is showing notable example of Mission Revival architecture
House is showing notable example of Mission Colonial Revival architecture
House is showing a notable example of Mediterranean Revival architecture with strong Spanish Colonial Revival influences.
House is showing a notable example of Mediterranean Revival architecture with strong Spanish Colonial Revival influences.
House is showing a classic example of Mediterranean Revival architecture with strong Spanish Colonial Revival influences.

Regulations

Preservation Plan
Citywide HPOZ Ordinance
District Ordinance

Maps

Maps

Application Information

For all Filing Forms, click here

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