Detail: 8795 W Sunset Blvd West Hollywood CA: RuskinARC™

Basics

Resource Category:

Building

Resource Type:

Restaurant lounge/tavern

Location

Address:

8795 W Sunset Blvd

City:

West Hollywood

County:

Los Angeles

State/Province/Region:

Zip/Postal Code:

90069

Country:

USA

Other Address or Location Information:

aka 1114 Horn Avenue

Parcel/Tax number or land unit:

5559-003-012

Local place name:

Setting/Landscape/Site Features:

Acreage, parcel, land unit size:

0.4815

Quad/Map name and date:

Date

Township/Range/Section:

/ /

Visible from Public Road?

Yes

Historical Information

Historic name:

Café Gala

Current name:

Construction Date (range/estimated):

1920-1929

Construction Date Certainty:

Known Construction Date:

1922

Source for Known Construction Date:

Los Angeles County Office of the Assessor

Architect/Designer:

Unknown

Developer:

Builder:

Unknown

Significant Owner(s):

Historical Summary:

Extant Status:

Not Demolished

Architectural Style and Form

Plan/Footprint Shape:

square

Building Form or Plan Type (core plan):

Style, Primary:

Spanish Colonial Revival

Style, Secondary:

Notes on architectural style, form, distinguishing features:

Architectural Elements and Features

Number of Stories:

Bays:

Structural System:

Foundation:

Basement:

Building Size:

Square footage/meters:

Roof Configuration:

Hip and gable

Roof Material

terra-cotta tiles

Roof remarks/description:

Eave Type:

Eave Ornamentation:

Dormer Count:

Dormer Configuration:

Exterior Wall Material (primary):

original stucco

Exterior Wall Material (secondary):

Notes on exterior materials:

Principal Windows::

Window Panes/Lights:

Window Type:

Window remarks:

The most prominent windows are on the south elevation facing Sunset Boulevard. This elevation features large fixed windows, with the steep lot providing views for diners.

Chimney remarks/description:

Chimney Count (first):

one

Chimney Placement 1:

side right exterior brick

Chimney Count (second):

one

Chimney Placement 2:

side right exterior stuccoed

Porch description, characteristics, details:

Porch Height, Stories:

Porch Configuration:

Porch Type:

Porch Roof Shape:

Porch Roof Material:

Porch Columns/Posts (upper or only):

Porch Piers (lower):

Primary entryway:

The main entryway is on Horn Avenue and is comprised of double wood doors in a recessed opening. This elevation is only partially visible from the public right-of-way. On the portions that are visible, there are no window openings.

Function and Use

Historic Function:

Commerce/Trade: Restaurant

Present Function:

Vacant/Not in Use:

Function remarks:

Listed, Designated, or Protected Status

Status Code:

Listed at the national level?

Individually Listed: No
Contributes to a District: No
Landmark: No

Date, name, remarks:

Designated at State/Province level?

Individually Listed: No
Contributes to a District: No
Landmark: No

Date, name, remarks:

Designated Locally?

Individually Listed: No
Contributes to a District: No
Landmark: No

Date, name, remarks:

Protected by ordinance or regulation?:

Protection status, remarks:

Evaluation of Potential Eligibility

Potentially eligible for historic/heritage designation?

Non-contributing

Level of potential eligibility

Rating or Rank

Recommended as a potential landmark?

Criteria:

Significance and Context

Theme(s)

West Hollywood 1926 - World War II

Period of significance

1926 - 1945

Significance/Context Remarks

Café Gala was significant for its association with the history of the LGBTQ community in West Hollywood. It was one of the first supper clubs with an openly gay clientele. Run by the eccentric Baroness Catherine d’Erlanger and Johnny Walsh, the Venetian-themed club saw a co-mingling of straight and gay patrons. At Café Gala, gay and lesbian stars did not have to worry about being caught up in a police raid. Regular guests included Cole Porter, Judy Garland, and Lena Horne. Pianist Bobby Short started out here, and when Dorothy Dandridge made her debut performance, it was one of the hottest tickets in town. By the 1960s, the property was occupied by Russian-Armenian restaurant. From 1982 to 2001, it was the home of Spago.

Area(s) of Significance

Ancillary Structures / Outbuildings

Number of ancillary structures / outbuildings:

Secondary structure type

Contributing to primary property?

Ancillary structures remarks or description:

Condition and Alterations

Character of modifications:

General Condition:

Moved or Relocated?:

Date moved or relocated:

Relocation remarks:

Alterations?

Date of major alterations:

Nature of alterations:

Additions?:

Date of major additions:

Addition Height:

Addition Placement:

Addition Type:

Nature of additions:

Endangered / Threatened

Endangered by:

Endangered/Threatened remarks:

Recommendations:

Contact:

Tourism / Featured Destination

Open to the public:

Contact information, Hours, and Amenities:

For Sale, Rent, or Lease

Property Classification:

Sale status:

Sale remarks:

Owner

Ownership type:

Name of Owner:

Owner Mailing Address:

Legal Description of Property/Comments:

SHOREHAM HE1GHTS LOT COM AT NW COR OF LOT 6 BLK C TH S 146.97 FT TH E 53.1O FT TH N 49 DEG 11 M1N 15 SEC E 1O1.28 FT TH N 151.96 FT TO NE COR OF LOT 7 SD BLK TH S 61 DEG 15 M1N 19 SEC W 148 FT TO BEG

Survey and Recorder

Authorized Resource Number or ID :

Optional Tracking or Sequence Number:

Alternate Resource ID or Key:

Survey Date:

2016

Surveyed By:

GPA Consulting, 617 S. Olive Street, Suite 910, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Report Name, or Reason for Survey:

West Hollywood Historic Resources Survey

Level of Survey:

intensive

Sources, References, Bibliography

Previously Surveyed?

Yes

Name of Previous Survey:

West Hollywood Historic Resources Survey, 1986-87

Additional Research Recommended?

Other Sources of Information:

Sanborn Map, vol 20, 1919-50; Los Angeles County Assessor Records, 1922-62; Los Angeles Times, various dates; building permits, various dates; martintrunbull.com, weho.org.

General Remarks:

Custom / Extra Information

P3b. Resource Attributes:

HP6: 1-3 story commercial building

B11. Additional Resource Attributes: