A Historical Loss For Pasadena
By Dave Laverdiere (owner of Boston Brick & Stone)
October 5th, 2005 was a very sad day for Pasadena. A fire that started around 9:30P.M. swept through and destroyed one of the most beautiful architectural specimens of the early 1900s. 160 S. San Rafael was well on its way to being completely and faithfully restored.
It was used in several movies, most notably — at least two of the earlier Batman Movies, Hollywood Homicide, Just Married, Rocky V and Clue-The Movie.
This house literally took your breath away. You could see it perched on the West side of the Arroyo while you were driving on the west bound 134 freeway. Its elegance attracted my attention almost every time I drove across that freeway bridge. I considered its sight a moment of “eye candy” which I continuously offered to others as we would pass by.
Click for larger image
Photo obtained from the Library of Congress on the HABS/HAER website. The caption page tells us that the photographer was Jack Boucher and that they were taken in August of 1974 when the property belonged to Max Busch.
|
In May of 2004 the property was offered for sale. Boston Brick & Stone was called in to inspect the chimneys. Of the five chimneys on the property, one was an incinerator stack that had fallen down and was no longer used, two had fallen down and were incorrectly rebuilt after the 1994 earthquake and the last two were severely damaged and posed an immediate safety hazard. We were asked to submit a bid to restore the last two chimneys to their original majesty. The new owners did not want them to look like the other two that were incorrectly repaired. I say incorrectly because the original design was not followed, they were too short and they did not work well.
Imagine my excitement! Here was an opportunity to actually work on a property I have admired from a distance for years. We rebuilt the chimneys, true to their original design and up to today’s code requirements. I consider those two chimney restorations the most technological and challenging job we have undertaken to date. For a complete description of how we were able to restore these two beauties yet maintain all of today’s code requirements see the Tech Corner on our website.
Click for larger image
Photo also obtained from the Library of Congress on the HABS/HAER website. The caption page tells us that the photographer was Jack Boucher and that they were taken in August of 1974 when the property belonged to Max Busch.
|
Not long after Boston Brick & Stone was awarded the contract I learned just how fortunate we really were. Maybe, once in a lifetime, a contractor who specializes and is passionate about restoration as we are — can expect to be part of a project with all of the ultimate factors in place. First, you must have a property worthy of restoration, preferably designed by a well known architect. 160 S. San Rafael was a masterpiece. If art can be measured by the amount of appreciation it generates in those who can experience the piece then San Rafael rivaled any building of its time.
Masonry License (C-29) & General Builder (B) #783578
Southern California’s Most Reliable Chimney Specialists
Call today to schedule a chimney inspection or to request a design consultation:
866-61-BOSTON (866 612-6786)
or (626) 296-7700
or e-mail
info@bostonbrick.com
