Westwood : Holmby House Gets Reprieve

The Los Angeles City Council on Friday designated Holmby House a historic landmark, granting up to a six-month delay of demolition for the Mediterranean-style duplex that its owners want to replace with a three-story condominium.

The council’s unanimous decision culminates a three-stage process that began in December and included approval from the Cultural Heritage Commission and the Recreation, Library and Cultural Affairs Committee. To postpone the demolition for the full six months, a report must be submitted in 30 days to the heritage commission showing that progress has been made toward relocating the building or finding someone to buy it, said city planner Dan Scott.

Scott said the commission could extend the building’s reprieve another six months. Pari Corp., which owns the red-tiled roof building at Ashton and Holmby avenues, must hire a consultant to prepare an environmental impact report before seeking permission to raze it.