Should this Silver Lake service station be preserved?

A 1941 gas station on a busy stretch of Silver Lake Boulevard has been spared the wrecking ball—for now—due to its potential to be preserved as a Historic Cultural Monument.

Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell filed a motion for the Cultural Heritage Commission to prepare an application for the site, which currently operates as the auto body shop Precision Motors.

Citing the citywide architectural census Survey LA, O’Farrell’s motion claims that the Streamline Moderne structure “retains a high level of integrity and appears eligible for listing as a historic resource.”

According to The Eastsider, the current owner had all the permits filed to demolish the service station and replace it with a three-story mixed-use structure that included 14 apartment units. Now, the structure cannot be demolished until the Cultural Heritage Commission reports back with its recommendations.

Even if the building isn’t landmarked, it’s possible the attention will thwart the owner’s plan to demolish it. A gas station built the same year on Beverly Boulevard near Koreatown is being converted into a coffee shop.

However, a battle to save another vintage Silver Lake gas station at Rowena and Glendale didn’t end as well—it was demolished in 2008.

• Coffee shop is taking over 1940s gas station in Koreatown [Curbed LA]