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Apartment Complex Where Charles Bukowski Wrote "Post Office" For Sale, Could Be Leveled
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Arguably the finest writer Los Angeles has ever known, Charles Bukowski typed away volumes of poetry, short stories, and novels in Hollywood. One of his best works, Post Office, about the ups-and-downs of a heavy drinking mail carrier was written by Bukowski at 5124 De Longpre Ave in 1969 and published two years later.
The publisher was John Martin of Santa Barbara who allegedly cut a deal with Bukowski that he would pay the writer the equivalent of his post office wages every month for the rest of his life, if he would quit working and devote the rest of his life to writing.
The first novel that the 50-year-old Bukowski delivered to Martin was Post Office. It was also his first novel ever (an excerpt).
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Our friends at blogging.la gave us the heads up that the apartment complex that Buk created that novel, and other classic works, is up for sale, and could very easily be demolished according to this Craigslist ad listing the property at an enticing $1.3 million.
Approximately a 12,500 square foot lot – currently holds a completely vacant apartment building (bungalow style). It is a REAL INVESTMENT, perfect for builders, investors, contractors, etc. You can easily tear down the old building and do new construction! This is a rare-find in a high-demand area; Hollywood - close to restaurants, studios, shopping centers, etc. The dimensions of the lot are 53 ft by 230 ft.
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The neighborhood is just as working-class as when Bukowski lived there decades ago. Two lots down from "Ukrainian Village" a gated apartment complex with a nicely landscaped courtyard, and next door to a three-story apartment building, the former home of the poet is currently behind chained linked fencing as a buyer is summoned.
Neighbors say that the former tenants were bought off to move out several weeks ago, and since then all the windows have been boarded up.
All along the block on De Longpre a diverse mix of people sit outside on their porches and stairs after work and the children play in the street and sidewalks.
Conveniently located just a few blocks from a 7-11, Zankou Chicken, Safari Sam's and the 101 freeway in Little Armenia, one would hope that the property would simply be renovated instead of razed so that more blue collar Los Angelenos can experience Hollywood the way the great writer did, as opposed to redeveloping it for the Upperly Mobile.
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It would also be a tragedy if another classic LA residence was torn down by people who are ignorant to the quiet history that many of us zip past each day.
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photos by Sonny I. LaVista for LAist
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