Art Deco is a conglomerate of modernistic and artistic styles typically consisting of strong design elements in glass, neon and stucco. Since much of uptown was originally developed at the height of Art Deco, a large number of the commercial and residential buildings in Hillcrest feature these decorative motifs. Recently painted examples easily stand out with their bold contrasting colors but architectural scouts on an urban hike can spot many other additional gems. Unfortunately some of the early Deco buildings have been lost and more are threatened by redevelopment.  One of the more intact, though not restored, districts centers on the 3800 block of Park Boulevard which displays numerous examples from the Egyptian Revival craze. Characteristics of the style include stucco walls shaped to look like sandstone blocks, palm leaf capitals and bas relief religious designs. The Fox Egyptian movie theater opened at 3812 Park Boulevard in 1926, three years after the debut of the famous Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. Sadly, a remodel in 1954 removed the large temple columns from the entrance. Some original motifs are still visible high on the stucco walls. Sadly, a mixed-use development in 2005 restored only part of this facade. In Balboa Park, the Ford Building (now the Aerospace Museum) exemplifies industrial design. The tall circular tower is clad in blue fins separating giant gear teeth — an allusion to a cogwheel and a temple to the advancement of humankind through mechanization. Architect Walter Teague designed the building as an “Expo Plant” for the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition.  Streamline Moderne stripped off the flora and
fauna of early Art Deco
in exchange for smoother aerodynamic lines. The buildings, meant
to be evocative of motion, steal design elements from trains, ships and
automobiles. Rounded edges, strong horizontal lines and clean
corner windows characterize both residential and commercial
buildings. The fine streamline building sitting at Normal
and Blaine Street was once home to The Center. Currently housing a
landscape architecture firm, the building's exterior was recently
renovated and appointed with additional Deco features. The block
windows and rounded corner are features of the original
structure. The metal spire and starburst pavement are recent,
more whimsical interpretations of Deco style. Another nearby
Streamline Moderne example, demolished in 2005, stood
on the southwest corner of Park and Robinson (former location of
Victoria & Associates). Asbestos concerns have staved off the
wrecking ball for several years. We will miss it. |
