The city of Santa Monica has published a “Guide to Historic Santa Monica City Hall,” a full-color brochure that details the architectural, historic and artistic features of the 65-year-old City Hall building.
A “walking tour” guide to City Hall, the brochure includes pictures of the building’s interior and exterior tiles, created by the renowned manufacturer, Gladding, McBean, and two large, Petrachrome murals created by Santa Monica artist, Stanton Macdonald-Wright, as well as highlighting the inlaid city seal in the lobby floor, finely-crafted woodworking and fixtures. Accompanying text describes the origins and significance of the building and its features. The free brochure is available at the information desk in the lobby at City Hall, and can be viewed online at santa.monica.org/cm/PDF/HistoricGuide.pdf.
Built in 1938-39, City Hall is an example of the “PWA Moderne” style of architecture favored for public buildings in the 1930s and 1940s. The building is both a designated city landmark and registered state historical resource, and is also eligible for listing in the federal Register of Historic Places.
The brochure was produced using funds remaining from a 2002 grant from the Getty’s “Preserve L.A.” initiative to help conserve the historic, architectural, and cultural resources of Los Angeles County. A historic structures report, compiled by the Historic Resources Group, LLC, surveyed, analyzed and documented the building resources and is the basis for its preservation, maintenance and future improvements.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 30, 2004. Read the original PDF.