Morton Terrace Makeover

Morton Terrace, a narrow lane that branches west off Morton Avenue, has for decades been lined with tiny, box-like, Spanish-colonial style bungalows. How small, well as you can see by one photo, they are not much bigger than a luxury SUV. But, like the rest of Echo Park, this alleyway has been changing quickly—and not all for the better. Several of the homes, notably on the south side, have undergone dramatic renovations—including near tear downs that have morphed into two-story homes. In many ways look development in Venice, where tiny houses and narrow lots have been replaced by larger and much more expensive two-story “modernist” style homes.

Three of the projects have retained the one story profile and original characteristics. The wood-sided bungalow (the one hidden by the SUV) was one of the first to be renovated in a way that updated the exterior but kept its historical charm. The one-story Spanish-colonial style cottage is OK but the replacement of wood windows and other architectural features that had been stripped away over the years would have given it more character. Right now it looks rather bland.

The two-story homes (one under construction) have taken far different approaches. The Spanish-style home actually uses some high grade wood windows, beams and terra cotta tile that soften the contemporary style. The second looks like a straightforward, modernist project you would find in Dwell magazine.

While these projects are certainly a cut above what has been built in the rest of the neighborhood, the projects certainly could have been more preservation friendly. The new “vertical” bungalows will also certainly change the feel of this part of the neighborhood that has long been dominated by one-story homes.

Without design guidelines or a historic district protections in place, most of Echo Park’s historic character remains at the mercy of individuals who may or may not value our neighborhood’s history and character

A Tale of Two Projects

A Tale of Two Projects
Originally uploaded by ephs.

A Tale of Two Projects
Originally uploaded by ephs.

These two afforable housing projects are almost across the street from each other on Temple Street but were built about 20 years apart. The designs are certainly different but the most recent addition may not be that much of an improvement over the older project. Casa Gloria was built in the mid-1980s in a suburban- Spanish style. It's a huge complex that resemble a giant Acapulco restaurant. The newcomer, which is nearing completion across fom the Echo Park Library, does not pretend to be old and features clean lines and a good mix of textures. But it has a strange, fenced front yard that will never get used. There is also a grand entrance that is a nice way to connect to the street but it resembles a big hole. Both projects are taller than 45 feet, dwarfing the neighboring bungalows, and appear to be squeezed into the site. We hope but not optomistic that future subsidized and private housing pay as much attention to scale and size as they do design.