Iconic Structures Lost in the Greater Los Angeles Fires
Historic fires in Greater Los Angeles have destroyed over 12,000 structures, including architectural masterpieces by Richard Neutra and Ray Kappe, as well as iconic landmarks like the Andrew McNally House and the Zane Grey Estate.
The devastating fires sweeping through Greater Los Angeles have claimed over 24 lives and destroyed approximately 12,000 structures, including several architecturally significant homes by visionaries like Richard Neutra and Ray Kappe. Among the numerous blazes, the Palisades and Eaton fires have caused the most destruction, fueled by relentless winds and drought conditions. Experts predict that increasing wind speeds will exacerbate the situation further, expanding the fires’ reach.
Organizations such as the Los Angeles Conservancy and Save Iconic Architecture are diligently monitoring the destruction, providing updates on the status of the region’s most notable architectural landmarks. While iconic buildings like the Eames House, the Getty Villa, and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Alfred Newman-Martha Montgomery House have been spared, other historic properties have been reduced to ashes.
Pacific Palisades: Modernist Gems Lost
One of the most notable losses in the Pacific Palisades area is the Benedict and Nancy Freedman House, designed by Austrian-American modernist Richard Neutra in 1949. Originally built for a pair of screenwriters, the single-story home featured expansive glass windows and clerestories. While it was later renovated to include a second story by Nonzero\architecture (formerly studio bau:ton), the structure ultimately fell victim to the fires.
Another casualty is Will Rogers’ historic ranch home. This 359-acre estate included a 31-room house, stables, guest accommodations, a golf course, and riding trails, all overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Since 1944, it had served as a living museum honoring Rogers’ legacy as a humorist, actor, and humanitarian. While park employees managed to save some artifacts and horses, both Will Rogers State Historic Park and parts of Topanga State Park were destroyed.
The Robert Bridges House, a daring Brutalist structure built in the 1980s, was also lost. The two-story redwood home seemed to defy gravity with its cantilevered design over a cliffside road, making it an architectural marvel.
Another tragedy is the destruction of the Keeler House, built in 1991 by Ray Kappe, the founder of the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc). A treehouse-like structure perched atop a hill, the home exemplified California modernist design and offered sweeping views of the canyon and ocean. Its integration with nature made it one of Kappe’s most celebrated works.
Altadena: Historic Homes in Ruins
In Altadena, the fires consumed the Andrew McNally House, an iconic Queen Anne-style residence built in 1887 by Frederick Roehrig. This nine-bedroom mansion, constructed for printing magnate Andrew McNally, featured wooden rotundas and a distinct Turkish room adorned with Ottoman-inspired textiles and a hand-painted silk ceiling. The home had recently undergone meticulous renovations following its $3 million sale but was ultimately overtaken by the flames.
The Zane Grey Estate, regarded as Altadena’s first fireproof home, also fell victim to the fire. Built entirely of reinforced concrete in 1907, this Mediterranean Revival-style structure was commissioned by Arthur Herbert Woodward and designed by Myron Hunt and Elmer Grey. The fireproofing was inspired by Woodward’s wife, Edith Norton, a survivor of Chicago’s infamous Iroquois Theater Fire. Later acquired by author Zane Grey in 1920, the estate featured a 3,500-square-foot library and office to accommodate his prolific writing career. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002 but could not withstand the inferno.
Another historic loss was Scripps Hall, also known as the Pasadena Waldorf School. Constructed in 1904 by William Armiger Scripps and designed by Charles W. Buchanan, this Craftsman-style structure stood as a testament to Altadena’s “Millionaire’s Row” era. Though saved from demolition in 1979 through the efforts of the Altadena Heritage Association, the fires ultimately claimed this three-story building.
A Cultural and Architectural Loss
The destruction of these historic homes highlights the irreplaceable loss of cultural and architectural heritage in the face of natural disasters. As the fires continue to wreak havoc, efforts to preserve the history and memory of these structures remain crucial. The devastation serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of even the most iconic landmarks in the face of nature’s fury.
