L.A. City Council Officially Votes Norms Restaurant as "Historic and Cultural Landmark"

2015-05-21T13:43:00-04:00

The effort to save Norms comes at a time when historic preservationists say postwar buildings — especially on a smaller scale — face an increased threat from development pressure.

Anyone who has ever grabbed a post-Largo meal or 2 a.m. existential coffee at Los Angeles restaurant Norms will be delighted to hear that The Los Angeles City Council has deemed the Googie-style building a cultural and historic landmark. Although this demarcation doesn't guarantee that it will never be knocked down, the move does require the Council to review proposed demolition to the site.

As the Times notes, "Googie is an exuberant, postwar Southern California style of sharp angles and sweeping curves meant to grab the attention of passing drivers." Located on a vibrant stretch of La Cienega Boulevard that is home to the benign monolith of the Beverly Center, the recently revamped Largo at the Coronet, and a handful of Vegan restaurants, antiques dealers and vintage dive bars, Norms architecture is arguably reflective of a wilder time in Los Angeles's urban development. Demarcating the building tangibly preserves elements of an era that will likely become only rarer as Los Angeles...

Norm's Coffee Shop, an LA Googie icon, is temporarily saved from demolition

2015-01-15T21:05:00-05:00

At a hearing earlier today, Los Angeles’ Culture Heritage Commission voted to consider granting Historic-Cultural Monument status to Norms Coffee Shop on La Cienega. This would protect the iconic building in the Googie modern style until a final decision is made by the commission. According to the Los Angeles Conservancy, the new owners of Norms were issued a demolition permit on January 5, triggering a wave of outrage from architectural preservationists.

Archinect - News

L.A. City Council Officially Votes Norms Restaurant as "Historic and Cultural Landmark"

Norm's Coffee Shop, an LA Googie icon, is temporarily saved from demolition