65A - SANTORA BUILDING AD HOC RPT

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RESOURCES PRESENT: ® Building ? Structure ? Object ? Site MOVED? ® No ? Yes ? Unknown Date: Original Location: STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: (Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, geographic scope, and integrity.) Santa Ana was founded by William Spurgeon in 1869 as a speculative townsite on part of the Spanish land grant known as Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana. Early growth and development was stimulated by the arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1878 and the Santa Fe Railroad in 1886. By the end of the 1880s, Santa Ana's downtown business district was defined by five city blocks of brick commercial buildings on 4th Street, with the heart of the city at the intersection of 4th and Main Streets. (Thomas, 8:1) The period of 1911-1915 saw many characteristic new business blocks or remodels along Fourth Street, and by the 1920s Santa Ana's downtown had expanded in each direction to include both commercial and civic development. The California style of living evidenced itself in the abundance of Spanish Colonial Revival style buildings, which were commonly built during the 1920s and early 1930s. Occupying a prominent corner in the downtown business district, the Santora Building is an exceptional example of such an improvement. It is highly significant for both its historical role in Santa Ana's commercial and civic history and for its architectural merit and association with the career of Frank Lansdowne, one of the premier architects based in Santa Ana during the 1920s. Since the 1980s, the Santora Building has served as an anchor for the developing Artists' Village. Character-defining exterior features of the Santora Building which should be preserved include but are not limited to: building scale and configuration on the two public elevations; exterior materials and finishes; all cast stone and other architectural embellishment; wrought iron grillework and balconies; tiled bulkheads; and original fenestration. SUMMARY/CONCLUSION: This building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 as an individual resource and in 1984 as a contributor to the Downtown Historic District. Under the regulations implementing the California Register of Historical Resources, the building is also listed in the California Register. The Santora Building has been included in the Santa Ana Register of Historical Property for several reasons. It is an archetypal example of the Churrigueresque variant of the Spanish Colonial Revival style. It was designed by prominent Santa Ana architect Frank Lansdowne. It is significant for its historic and continuing role in the commercial, public and social life of Santa Ana. The Santora Building has been categorized as "Landmark" because the building "has historical/cultural significance to the City of Santa Ana" and has "unique architectural significance" (Municipal Code Section 30-2.2(1)). OWNER AND ADDRESS: cmUhiatoricltemplates\Broadway?Al N Page 3 of 4 4=101 65A-59 ? District ® Element of District ? Other