Montecito Apartments | |
 Montecito Apts, 2008 | |
| Location | 6650 Franklin Avenue,Hollywood,Los Angeles,California, US |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 34°6′18″N118°20′3″W / 34.10500°N 118.33417°W /34.10500; -118.33417 |
| Built | 1930 |
| Architect | H.M. Baruch Corp.; Miller, Marcus P. |
| Architectural style | Art Deco |
| NRHP reference No. | 85001592[1] |
| Added to NRHP | July 18, 1985 |
Montecito Apartments is a largeapartment building inHollywood, California,United States. It was built in 1935 in the zig-zagArt Deco style and was the home for many Hollywood celebrities, includingJames Cagney,Mickey Rooney,Percy Kilbride, andMontgomery Clift. It was alsoRonald Reagan’s first home when he moved to Hollywood in 1937. In 1985, the building was converted to alow-income housing project forsenior citizens.
The building was built in 1935 with 95 units at a cost of $1 million.[2] Set on a hill overlooking the city, the Montecito is the highest building in Hollywood.[3] It has a private swimming pool, two subterranean garages and a parking lot.[3] The building is a classic Art Deco design with Mayan influences and windows arranged in vertical blinds.[4] In 1946, it was sold for $600,000.[5] In 1954, it was sold again, this time by Isadore and Libby Teacher to Howard Fox and Harry Wyatt.[2]
The Montecito was home to several future movie stars, especially New York based actors while working in Hollywood. It wasRonald Reagan’s first residence when he moved to Hollywood; Reagan lived at the Montecito from June 1937 to late 1938.[6] Reagan was said to have been roommates at the Montecito withMickey Rooney.[7] Other celebrities who have lived at the Montecito includeJames Cagney,[8]George C. Scott,[9]Montgomery Clift,[4]Geraldine Page,[8]Don Johnson,Sal Mineo, andBen Vereen.[10] The Montecito was the subject of a two-partTV Guide profile written by Richard Gehman. It referenced many of its familiar character actor residents includingMaurice Gosfield.
In 1970, rents ranged from $180 to $400 for furnished apartments.[3]In 1984, the owners obtained grants and loans from the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency (“CRA”) and HUD to rehabilitate the building and convert it into 180 apartments for low income senior citizens.[11][12] In 1988, theLos Angeles Conservancy presented an award to the Montecito for the redevelopment project.[13]
In 1995, the owners defaulted on loans, and Bank of America foreclosed on the building.[14] The foreclosure triggered CRA losses that amount to $8.2 million.[15]
In 1985, the building was listed on theNational Register of Historic Places. The Montecito has been described as “one of the finest examples of the Art Deco style, with Mayan influence detailing.”[12] It is also significant for its architectural quality and integrity and as the finest extant work of architect Marcus P. Miller.[12]
