Resource Report

Historic Resource Summary

Names
DWP Distributing Station 45 (Primary)
DWP Distributing Station 45 (Historic)
5516 S WESTERN AVE (Alternative)
Important Dates
1926-01-01 (Built Date)
Images
DWP Distributing Station 45 - PHOTO
Resource Types
Building
Architect
Builder
Owner

Location Information

Addresses
5516 S WESTERN AVE Primary
Location Description
No descriptions recorded
Administrative Areas
South Los Angeles Community Plan Area (Community Plan Area)
Los Angeles City Council District 8 (Council District)
EMPOWERMENT CONGRESS CENTRAL AREA NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (Neighborhood Council)
WEST VERNON NEIGHBORHOOD (Neighborhood)

Resource Description

Classification
Type: Infrastructure-Water & Power, Utility Building (Water, Electrical Power, Natural Gas)   Use: Historic     Style: Beaux Arts Classicism    
Type: California OHP Resource Attribute - HP14. Government building          
Features
No components recorded

Narrative Description

No description available
Alterations
Door (primary) infilled
Some window openings infilled

Resource Significance

Evaluation Details

Date Evaluated
2012-01-06
Context/Theme
Public and Private Institutional Development, 1850-1980
Government Infrastructure and Services, 1850-1980
Municipal Water and Power, 1916-1980
Distributing and Receiving Stations, 1916-1980
Institutional - Infrastructure
Distributing Station
Eligibility Standards
  • Retains most of the essential character-defining features from the period of significance
  • Designed in popular architectural styles including Classical Revival, WPA Moderne, International Style, Arts Deco, Streamline Moderne
  • Is also evaluated as significant under a theme within the Architecture context
  • Designed as neighborhood landmarks which fit into the fabric of a community
  • Few or no windows on facade
  • Generally a two-story rectangular box with a flat roof
  • Prominent signage
  • Exemplifies the beautification requirements set by the City Arts Commission
  • Is associated with Los Angeles Gas and Electric Corp., Bureau of Power and Light or the Department of Water and Power
  • Was constructed between 1916 and 1980 for water and power uses
  • Constructed of brick, concrete or stone veneer
    • Integrity Aspects
    Design
    Setting
    Materials
    Workmanship
    Association
    Location
    Feeling
    Retains sufficient integrity to convey significance
    California Historic Resources Status Codes (explanation of codes)
    5S3
    3S
    3CS
    Significance Statement
    Excellent example of a DWP distributing station, representative of grandly-scaled public works infrastructure construction during the 1920s.
    Periods of Significance
    From: 1926-01-01
    Date Evaluated
    2011-09-02
    Context/Theme
    Architecture and Engineering, 1850-1980
    Late 19th and Early 20th Century Architecture, 1865-1950
    Beaux Arts Classicism, 1895-1930
    Commercial
    Eligibility Standards
  • Formal or monumental scaled architectural elements
  • An emphasis on composition and symmetry
  • Cast concrete or stone sheathing
  • Displays the correct use of the classical orders in the use of elaborate columns or pilasters
  • Highly ornamented and grandiose
  • May range from one to fourteen stories in height
  • Retains most of the essential character-defining features from the period of significance
  • Exhibits quality of design through distinctive features
  • Is a good example of the Beaux Arts style
  • Was constructed during the period of significance
    • Integrity Aspects
    Workmanship
    Location
    Design
    Setting
    Materials
    Feeling
    Association
    Retains sufficient integrity to convey significance
    California Historic Resources Status Codes (explanation of codes)
    3S
    5S3
    3CS
    Significance Statement
    Excellent example of a Neoclassical DWP station. Exhibits high quality of design through its distinctive features.
    Periods of Significance
    From: 1926-01-01

    External References

    External System References

    SurveyLA ID: 1e8ca725-04cf-4b3f-84ce-2aece8f73e1a
    Property Identification Number: 108B193 782
    House ID: 472977

    Related Resources

    Related Historic Resources

    None

    Related Historic Districts

    None

    Related Activities

    SurveyLA - South Los Angeles Survey (was assessed in / assessed)

    Related Historic Events

    None

    Related People/Organizations

    Architectural Resources Group (Surveying Firm, was surveyed by / surveyed)

    Related Information Resources

    Images
    Documents
    SurveyLA: South Los Angeles Historic Resources Survey Report (Document/Text, is referred to in / refers to)

    SurveyLA

    SurveyLA is the first comprehensive program to identify significant historic resources throughout the City of Los Angeles, and is scheduled to be completed in 2017. HistoricPlacesLA includes SurveyLA data published to date. Find out more about SurveyLA at: http://www.preservation.lacity.org/survey

    Office of Historic Resources

    Office of Historic Resources
    Department of City Planning
    221 N. Figueroa Street, Suite 1350
    Los Angeles, CA 90012
    (213) 847-3676 phone
    Email: planning.historicplacesla@lacity.org
    http://www.preservation.lacity.org
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