The Gilded Age Wattles Mansion has been owned by the city of Los Angeles since the late 1960s. But in recent decades, funds for its proper upkeep dried up significantly, and time was taking a toll. Rather than let the landmark property continue its slide into dilapidation, last year, the city’s Department of Recreation and Parks reached out to the local design community, who performed much needed restoration on the home in the process of making it a temporary design showcase.
Built in 1907 by Myron Hunt and Elmer Grey, architects of the Huntington Library, the Rose Bowl, and Mount Wilson’s Observatory, the Mission Revival-style mansion occupies a sprawling lot of nearly 50 acres below Runyon Canyon.
The only remaining example of an estate built in Hollywood prior to the film industry, the Wattles house has just unveiled its second design showcase, which now seems set to be an annual event.
Whereas last year’s showcase had an Old Hollywood theme, this year’s focus is on sensitively decorating a historic home while taking modern tastes into account. Donated improvements this year include new tile, sinks, plants, and landscaping.
The showcase will be open to the public Thursdays through Sundays until April 16. Admission is $40 per person, with proceeds benefitting three charities: No-Kill Los Angeles; Save Iconic Architecture Projects; and Los Angeles Parks Foundation.
- Wattles Mansion Designer Showcase 2017 [Official site]
- Inside the Big Restoration at Wattles Mansion [Curbed LA]
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