Avenues to save Brentwood’s Modernist treasure—the 1951 Barry Building—are rapidly narrowing, but there’s still time to act. The Conservancy urges your support to protect this designated Historic-Cultural Monument, once home to the beloved legacy business, Dutton’s Bookstore, and to prevent a dangerous precedent for all historic places in Los Angeles.

Preservation efforts suffered a major setback in June, when the City of Los Angeles approved demolition of the Barry Building despite its official landmark designation and viable alternatives for reuse. The longtime property’s owner has no plans for the site, proposing instead to leave it vacant. Demolishing a designated Historic-Cultural Monument is exceedingly rare and deeply troubling, and even worse for nothing—an act that rewards intentional demolition by neglect and undermines decades of preservation policy in Los Angeles.

The City’s decision disregarded the expert recommendation of its own Office of Historic Resources and relied on inflated and unrealistic cost estimates to justify demolition and approval through issuance of a Statement of Overriding Considerations. This action must not stand.

Angelenos for Historic Preservation has filed an appeal to challenge the City’s approval, which will be reviewed by the Board of Building and Safety Commissioners. The Conservancy fully supports this appeal and asks you to take action:

1. Email the Board of Building and Safety Commissioners urging them to reverse this flawed and unlawful decision.
2. Attend the public hearing on Tuesday, November 18, at 9:30 a.m., 201 N. Figueroa Street, Room 900.
3. Speak in support of preserving the Barry Building and upholding the integrity of the City’s historic designation program.

We encourage you to please make the message your own.