By Daily Press staff
The Conservancy will continue its tradition of holding its annual meeting in an important, local historic building. This year Hotel Casa Del Mar will host the meeting on Jan. 29, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., 1910 Ocean Front Walk in Santa Monica.
The program will include a short business meeting and board of directors election, followed by a brief talk by historic consultant Christy MacAvoy about the rehabilitation of Casa Del Mar. MacAvoy’s company, Historic Resources Group, assisted the hotel owners in their restoration plans and in obtaining a significant financial benefit in the form of a historic rehabilitation tax credit for the resurrected building. Participants can tour the public areas of the hotel. Light refreshments will be served with a no-host bar available in this lovely setting.
In 1926, when the Hotel first opened as Club Casa Del Mar, it was the grandest of the opulent Santa Monica beach club/hotels. Built in a Renaissance Revival style by noted Los Angeles architect Charles F. Plummer, Club Casa Del Mar, with its plush Oriental rugs, intricately hand-painted ceilings and heavy bronze statuary, immediately became the Grande Dame of Santa Monica — and arguably of the entire Pacific coast. It was the place to see and be seen, renowned for its swinging social scene and frequented by many of the city's elite, including a number of Hollywood celebrities.
The partying lasted until World War II when Casa Del Mar was converted to a military hotel. After the war, it continued as a beach club and hotel but never regained its former grandeur. Starting in 1959, it served for 20 years as the headquarters for the Synanon drug therapy program; and then from 1978 to 1997, as the Pritikin Longevity Center. For a time it was closed due to earthquake damage and seismic safety work.
The hotel re-emerged to its storied past as one of the most luxurious hotels on the west coast in October of 1999, when more than $50 million was spent to restore the historic landmark to its former grandeur. Though none of the original furnishings remain, the traditional look and feel from the 1920s was recreated.
The seven-story building features a brick and sandstone façade; red-tile roof; brown-iron balconies; elaborate relief work with escutcheons over the front door; and a variety of sculpted figures throughout the facade including cupids, angels, and Renaissance personalities. It houses 129 elegantly appointed guest rooms and suites.
The meeting is open to members only, though all are welcome to join. Valet parking is available for $5 and there is limited street parking.
For more information, call (310) 485-0399.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 5, 2006. Read the original PDF.