Carondelet Court

o had come to Los Angeles with his family in 1910. By 1912, Goldthwaite was on the board of directors of the California Real Estate and Building Company. Yet, it was during that same period that he began his work as an independent contractor, living in San Pedro. The Carondelet Court project was one of many as his business and reputation grew in the industry. One of Goldthwaite’s earliest projects was in conjunction with reknowned San Diego architect Irving Gill. In 1912, Goldthwaite was contractor for the Ella Ruddy House at 241 S. Gill had originally intended to build the house using his experimental Aiken system, but ended up bringing in Goldthwaite to use proven techniques in construction. Gill’s early Minimalism undoubtedly left its mark on the contractor, which shows in the Carondelet Court design. In 1920, Goldthwaite was hired by Frank Lloyd Wright to replace the original contractor that worked on the three houses for Helene Barnsdall, The Hollyhock House (HCM 12), Residence “A” (HCM 33) and Residence “B”. Correspondence between Wright and his son as well as R. Schindler indicate that the construction took longer than anticipated. Both the Wrights and Shindler admired Irving Gill, who may have provided Goldthwaite’s introduction to the esteemed architect for the project. This symmetrically laid out bungalow Court consists of four rectangular single unit bungalows arranged on both sides of a central courtyard set in front of the two story four-unit rear building. The court was built early in the period when the bungalow court was at its height in Southern California. These developments were intended to give those living in the individual units a feel of having a home of their own, with a garden. The larger
layout gave the buildings the feel of a small community, where neighbors could interact. They were also built on or near public transportation corridors, encouraging the use of the Red Car and Yellow Car lines. The architectural styles of these bungalows courts were many and varied, the most common of the earlier designs being Craftsman or Mission Revival. As tastes in design evolved, the courts reflected those changes. Carondelet Court is an evolution from the earlier Mission design, incorporating Mediterranean Revival influence. The symmetrical layout is typical, but the variations of window shapes within this symmetry is unique to this court. Other Goldthwaite projects include the Anna Laggert House (1916), in the
Hollywood Grove HPOZ and the Lilian R, Olds House (1919) at 141 S. Wilton Place, a contributor to the Wilton Place National Register District. It was Goldthwaite’s innovative abilities that most certainly caught the eye of Frank Lloyd Wright 5 years later. Wright needed a contractor that could think outside the box. Carondelet Court is a testimony to that ability on the part of this builder. Sadly, Goldthwaite’s work was cut short on August 21, 1935, when he died from injuries in an auto accident at the age of 62. Carondelet Court meets the criteria for Historic Cultural Monument as an
architectural type specimen of a Mediterranean/Minimalist style bungalow court as well as an early representative of that type of structure in its reflecting the early development patterns in Los Angeles. Situated on a parcel next to the Asbury building, the property has historically been connected in its proximity to the Chouinard Art Institute which under Walt Disney’s guidance become California Institute of the Arts, as well as the city’s first public, independent professional school of art in Southern California, the Otis Art Institute. For close to 100 years, the property has housed residents who have become communities of artists, writers, film industry workers consistently through its entire history, including one of the first female animators at Warner Brothers during its cartoon heyday, Martha McVey. Tenants statement: We were the tenants of 521 S. Carondelet street, a courtyard apartment complex with a rich artistic, cultural, social and residential history. Built around the turn of the 20th century, residences on the property are made up of 4 bungalow units and one larger building with 4 units in the back of the property. Located between the Asbury building just north of 6th street and a larger block apartment building, 511 Carondelet St. Long time residents lived here in peace and cooperation for between 15-23 years, others for between 6-7 years. One of the few remaining open space residential areas in Macarthur Park, Carondelet Court is slated for demolition. The last community was made up of early child development and higher level educators, artists and performers, social service workers, non profit employees, families with children, students and business people. On July 31, 2014 the property was purchased by the owner of 511 Carondelet, a man named Steve Kanji. He, his management and his agents began a months long campaign to rid of all the residents of the building in order to demolish the courtyard buildings and construct a four story 29 unit luxury apartment complex. 3-day notices were given to every tenant claiming all tenants were nuisances. Eviction lawsuits were filed against almost every tenant. In March 2015 the trees and plantlife over 100 in all, many from 60-80 years old were destroyed and the courtyard spray painted red while tenants were still living there. As of February 2017, all but one tenant have moved out. This is the ugly side of gentrification, and this page a historical record that tells the story of the last community of Carondelet Court. Say no to displacement, and yes to residents who want to live in peace in their homes.