One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Historic Fairfax Theatre Could Become Condo Complex
With roof damage caused by rain, the Fairfax Theatre on Beverly Boulevard was shut down by city building inspectors in January. Now owner Alex Gorby has proposed developing a 71-unit condominium complex with street-level retail space and subterranean parking. Although he had 30 days to comply, the roof remains unfixed and Regency Theatres, which operated the space showing independent and foreign films, was unable to continue business as usual.
"We simply cannot allow this to occur," says Hillsman Wright, Executive Director of the L.A. Historical Theatre Foundation, who calls this "demolition by neglect" because leaving the roof unfixed will essentially destroy the interior of the theatre via "exposure to the elements - leaving a rotting, moldy, vacant eyesore."
The interior, by the way, is what Gorby wants to convert, leaving the exterior in tact. “We don’t believe the interior of the building qualifies for historic status, but that is what the process is for. We believe that preserving the façade is the right approach,” Gorby's consultant Ira Handelman told the Park La Brea News.
Wright believes construction could begin within two years if plans are pushed through and approved. A Cultural Heritage Landmark hearing is set for April 1 and the Friends of the Fairfax group plans to meet with L.A. Councilmember Paul Koretz to find a way to repair the roof and keep Regency as a tenant while the development proposal goes through approval processes.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
