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CONSTRUCTION HISTORY: (Construction data, alterations, and date of alterations)
<br />July 10, 1928: Building
<br />(Multiple building permits for interior partitions and storefront renovations)
<br />March 30, 1989: Seismic rehab
<br />RELATED FEATURES: (Other important features such as barns, sheds, fences, prominent or unusual trees, or landscape)
<br />None
<br />DESCRIPTION: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, settings, and
<br />boundaries.)
<br />A remarkable example of the Churrigueresque variant of Spanish Colonial Revival design, the two -story Santora Building occupies
<br />the northeast corner of North Broadway and West Second Street in downtown Santa Ana. Of brick construction, the building is
<br />sheathed with stucco. A parapet hides the roof. The building is dominated by the comer bay, which projects out and up from the rest
<br />of the building. Pierced on both levels by large archways, this "tower' is embellished with intricately patterned cast stone spandrels
<br />over the upper story arches. Corbels, finials, and wrought iron balconies provide further decorative interest. On the side elevations,
<br />storefronts feature transoms with elaborate wrought iron grilles set below the carved soffits of the upper story overhang. Banks of
<br />second story windows are separated by pilasters with decorated caps. Additional entries arc located at each end of the building on the
<br />south and west and midway on the west elevation; these bays echo the design of the comer. Storefronts incorporate tiled bulkheads
<br />beneath display windows. Steel casement windows open onto the balconies over the building entries. Other windows are double -
<br />hung sash. An engraded molding marks the comice. Although the building has experienced changes over the years, it retains a high
<br />degree of integrity and the exuberance of its original design remains undiminished.
<br />HISTORIC HIGHLIGHTS:
<br />Groundbreaking for the Santora Building took place on July 7, 1928. "Santora" combines the names Santa Ana and Orange. Built by
<br />the Santora Land Company, under the guidance of Oliver Halsell, vice - president and manager, the building cost $150,000 and was
<br />constructed on property acquired from the Minter family. Frank Lansdowne, one of the premier architects of the region, designed
<br />building. It had ten stores and an entrance lobby on the first floor, 20 shops and a large lobby on the second floor, and a full
<br />basement. Following the Long Beach Earthquake in 1933, the building served as city hall for two years while repairs were completed
<br />at the North Main Street facility. From 1934 until 1944 Daninger's Tea Room occupied the rooms on the second floor, southwest
<br />comer. The restaurant was famous for its home cooked meals and pleasant atmosphere, and attracted a clientele that included
<br />Hollywood celebrities Jack Benny, Milton Berle. Billie Burke, Charles Ruggles, Connie Haines, Lucille Ball. Gracic Allen, George
<br />Bums, Joan Davis. Rosalind Russell, Robert Young, William Holden and Alan Ladd, all of whom signed the guest book.
<br />RESOURCE ATTRIBUTES: (List attributes and codes from Appendix 4 of Instructions for Recording Historical Resources, Office
<br />of Historic Preservation.)
<br />(HP 6) 1 -3 story commercial building
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