Rubel Castle is nominated to the National Register.

HRG nominated Rubel Castle for listing in the National Register on behalf of its owner, the Glendora Historical Society. Rubel Castle, also known as Rubelia or Rubel Pharms, is located on a portion of the former Albourne Ranch, which operated as a citrus farm until 1949. The Castle was the creation of Michael Clarke Rubel (1940-2007), who envisioned a monumental, medieval-style castle constructed out of recycled materials. Rubel acquired the property in 1959, and with the help of a wide network of friends, associates, townspeople, and “Pharm Hands,” began collecting found objects and other materials to use in the construction. The main portion of the Castle is a 124-foot diameter irrigation reservoir that dates from 1910 which provided a ready-made concrete foundation. Capped with battlements, the Castle walls are built primarily from stream rocks and slabs of recycled granite set in cement mortar. Construction unfolded over two and a half decades, beginning in the 1960s and ending in 1986. Although it was completed in the recent past, the State Historical Resources Commission agreed at their August meeting that Rubel Castle is exceptionally important as a folk art monument, and therefore eligible for listing in the National Register.

Side: Rubel Castle, Glendora.

 

You can make a touchdown at the Rose Bowl!

For nearly twenty years, HRG has partnered with the Rose Bowl to preserve and maintain its architecture and history. For members of the public who love the landmark as much as we do, there is now an exciting opportunity to assist with the preservation of its special legacy: sponsoring a paver with your name inscribed for the new main entrance plaza. The proceeds from the Brick Campaign will be used to support the continuing improvement of the stadium, including projects directly benefitting patrons of the Rose Bowl Game. And as an added bonus, thousands of visitors, millions of TV viewers, and your grandchildren will know you cared about history.www.rosebowlbricks.com

You may also contact the Rose Bowl Legacy group for other sponsorship opportunities.www.rosebowllegacy.com

Side: Rendering courtesy of DAIQ Architects.

 

HRG celebrates a staff anniversary.

Laura Janssen, Senior Architectural Historian, recently celebrated ten years as a highly valued member of HRG’s staff. Laura works on a variety of projects and tasks, including research, historic assessment and architectural conservation. Current assignments include construction monitoring at the LA County Hall of Justice and the Rose Bowl, and managing the preparation of a Cultural Landscape Report for the Los Angeles County Arboretum.

Above: Shangri-La, Honolulu, HI.

 

Los Angeles Conservancy recognizes HRG.

HRG recently received two 2013 Los Angeles Conservancy Preservation Awards. Winning projects were the 28th Street YMCA in Los Angeles and the Lopez Adobe in San Fernando.

Side: 28th Street YMCA, Los Angeles. Photograph courtesy of Eric Staudenmaier. 

 

Beverly Hills selects HRG for citywide survey.

HRG is leading a project team to update the citywide survey for the City of Beverly Hills. HRG has a long history in Beverly Hills, dating back to the authorship of the first citywide survey in 1985 by Christy Johnson McAvoy, HRG’s Founding Principal. The survey update will be a vital tool for land use planning in the City, including implementation of the City’s 2010 Historic Preservation Element as well as the 2012 Historic Preservation Ordinance. The survey update officially kicked-off in April, and is scheduled to be completed in Spring 2014. An important component of the project is outreach to the local community, which will include a series of public meetings in the coming months.

Side: Photo of Beverly Hills Streetscape, c.1950s.