One of Hollywood’s most beautiful buildings is finally getting the recognition it deserves. On April 18, the City of LA’s Cultural Heritage Commission voted unanimously to recommend that the Yucca Vine Tower be designated a Historic Cultural Monument.
This Art Deco classic, constructed nearly 100 years ago as the Mountain States Life Building, was designed by LA-based architect Henry Gogerty. Currently occupied by the AMDA College of the Performing Arts, the list of former tenants includes Gene Autry’s Western Music Publishing, Motion Picture Daily, the Hollywood Anti-Nazi League, and Chao Praya, one of the first Thai restaurants in LA. In addition to designing other notable buildings in the Hollywood area, Gogerty worked on over 350 schools in Southern California. His firm is also credited with designing the Hughes Aircraft complex in Playa Vista and the Grand Central Air Terminal at the former Glendale Airport.
Thanks to John Girodo and the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles, who submitted the nomination. Thanks also to Kathleen Perricone, whose thorough research in preparing the nomination made an excellent case for historic designation. For more background on this amazing building, take a look at the CHC agenda packet, which is available here. The packet contains a wealth of historic photos. You can jump to them by clicking on Historic-Cultural Monument Application in the index on the first page.
The designation isn’t final yet. It still has to be approved by the full City Council. Hopefully they’ll vote soon to give this gorgeous building HCM status.
The Horizon and the Skyline 
Fabulously informative!
Thank You!
The nomination goes before the City PLUM committee 2:00pm Tuesday May 21st. Hopefully folks who appreciate this gem can submit a supportive comment.
Not just for designation, a supportive comment that the beautiful building’s *Interior* be protected and *not* removed from the nomination.
On April 18th, AMDA’s attorney lobbied the Cultural Heritage Commission to “carve out the interiors” from the nomination.
The Commissioners and Office of Historic Resources definitively rejected AMDA’s proposal and assertively proclaimed the remaining historic interior architectural features important and included in the nomination.
As, retaining the interior historic features in no way impeded nor hindered any future redevelopment of the building’s interior. Summary: AMDA had nothing to fear from the monument designation.
CD13’s Councilmember should be supportive of the nomination *as is*, as Recommended by the Cultural Heritage Commission inclusive of the historic interior features.
Thanks for the kind words. Let’s hope CD 13 supports “as is”.