Here in Van Nuys

Here in Van Nuys

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3 comments on Greedy Developers: Los Angeles in the 1920s.

Greedy Developers: Los Angeles in the 1920s.


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Completely out-of-scale building towers over one story house next door.
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In a neighborhood of single family homes, a greedy developer built this apartment populated by people who selfishly can afford to live here.
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A true monstrosity, more appropriate for Manhattan than Los Angeles.
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A towering colossus of land exploitation without any surface parking lots.
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Disguising something as European does not hide that this enormous building is completely out of scale with the little houses only a block away.
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Neighborhood Council should sue to take down this enormous theater whose builder put it right on the street without any parking lot. Sign is too bright and too big and disturbing to spotted frogs who live in the park across the street.

All photos from the Whittington Gallery at USC Digital Archives.

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Here in Van Nuys

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3 responses to “Greedy Developers: Los Angeles in the 1920s.”

  1. Johnny Avatar
    Johnny

    You nailed this one. Most of the best historic buildings were constructed before architects were even required to be licensed in the US, before zoning regulations existed, and before the building codes reached beyond minimal requirements for natural light and fresh air. NIMBYism is great at protecting the existing urban fabric. It’s really bad at adding new value to a city or addressing the side effects they create.

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    1. Here in Van Nuys Avatar
      Here in Van Nuys

      Thank you Johnny!

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  2. daodow Avatar
    daodow

    Should I feel bad for adoring all these buildings, or think myself a true Angeleno for recognizing each of them and their location?

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