PLEASE HELP SAVE THE WILLIAM MELLENTHIN BIRDHOUSE APARTMENTS

Like so many structures, the William Mellenthin Birdhouse Apartments located at 5920-30 Buffalo Avenue in Valley Glen are under threat by developers, erasing historically relevant buildings, and existing affordable housing.

Unfortunately, the property was recently sold, and the new owner has submitted plans to demolish it and build a 5-story, 104 unit apartment complex.

Why is this property historically significant?

William Mellenthin (1896–1979) was a builder and is well known for his iconic “Birdhouse” ranch homes built from the 1940s to the 1960s the San Fernando Valley. He built dovecotes (birdhouses) into the roofs.

Although William Mellenthin built many single-family homes, there were only a few multi-family dwellings he developed, which most have been destroyed.

The proposed Historic site on Buffalo Avenue is the only extant One-Story Ranch-Style Multi-Family Apartments built by William Mellenthin, while retaining nearly all of its original features as built 70 years ago.

Knowing the historic significance of the property, neighbors took action to preserve it by nominating it as Historic Cultural Monument, which temporarily halts any demolition or substantial alteration while the nomination is under consideration.

At the February 6, 2025 Cultural Heritage Commission meeting, the Commission voted unanimously in favor of designating the William Mellenthin Birdhouse Apartments as a Historic Cultural Monument.

The designation has now been referred to the City Council. The Council’s five-member Planning and Land Use Management (PLUM) Committee will hold an initial hearing (date?) on the nomination to make a recommendation to the full City Council.

HOW YOU CAN HELP!!!

It is VERY important the community shows their support for the nomination.

You can do so by emailing City Councilmember Adrin Nazarian and the PLUM Committee. Adrin Nazarian is the representative of Council District 2 and a member of the PLUM Committee.

Please include the following information in your support email:

Please send email to: councilmember.nazarian@lacity.org, clerk.plumcommittee@lacity.org

Email Subject Title: Council File: 25-0179 – William Mellenthin Birdhouse Apartments 

This letter is in support of the Historic Designation of the William Mellenthin Birdhouse Apartments CHC-2024-6156-HCM.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT