Ah, it's another classic battle between mid-century design versus newfangled Spanish Colonial revival. The Santa Monica Daily Press recently took at look at the fight over the corner of Ocean Avenue and San Vicente, site of that apartment complex belonging to Santa Monica's first female* mayor's home, Clo Hoover. The city opted not to landmark Hoover's old apartment complex, meaning tenants living in the 47-unit affordable rental building were moved out, allowing Texas-based developer Trammell Crow to proceed with plans for its proposed 20-unit luxury condo project, which is being designed by local Santa Monica-based architect Howard Laks. But now locals are lobbying the city to force the developer to do an environmental impact report, all part of an effort to block the project. Opponents feel the "project's Spanish Colonial revival design is out of character for the neighborhood," and are "concerned about the impact of removing more than 30,000 cubic yards of soil" because of the potential for landslides. Also, opponents worry about the "significant social and economic impacts" of having wealthy people move in and take over this coveted intersection.
· Residents step up fight against Ocean Avenue condos [Santa Monica Daily Press]
· Oh No, Clo! Condos Planned for Former Mayor's Home [Curbed LA]
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