The William Mellenthin Birdhouse Apartments are a rare, and intact example of a mid-century one-story courtyard apartment in the Traditional Ranch style in Valley Glen, CA. Located at 5920-30 Buffalo Avenue, it is composed of two parcels, each having a triplex and a detached 3-car garage with a center driveway.
William Mellenthin (1896–1979) was a builder and contractor in Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. He is well known for his iconic “Birdhouse” ranch homes built from the 1940s to the 1960s. He built dovecotes (birdhouses) into the roofs.
Although William Mellenthin built thousands of single-family homes, there were only a few multi-family dwellings he developed, most of which 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.
The Mellenthin Birdhouse Apartments are important rent-stabilized units. The layout and landscaping create a community atmosphere for tenants, some who have lived there for over two decades.
HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE
SurveyLA describes Wiiliam Mellenthin’s work as “particularly well known, notable, prominent, important, and significant.”
Alan Hess – American Architect, Author of 17 books, and foremost expert on Ranch Houses. His statement in regard to The William Mellenthin Birdhouse Apartments:
“Well maintained and still expressing its historic characteristics as a Mellenthin design. Chris Lukather’s books establish his significance as part of 20th c LA architecture and housing, Though he built many custom homes this shows his capabilities in smaller, multi-family designs, and so it is important to be retained for that reason: quality, architectural character for a less expensive home. This is a good model for us to follow today, too — a reason to preserve this intact example.
The key Mellenthin design elements are here, evoking the comfort, intentionally modest character, welcoming look of the Ranch House (then popular because of the popularity of the Western in Hollywood, John Wayne, Roy Rogers etc.), it is seen in the porches to sit outside and greet neighbors, the diamond pane windows, white picket fences, dovecotes, plant shelves below windows, simple post and beam porch structure.
The landscaping is a key part of the design, providing privacy as well as nature for each unit. This is especially important because of its modest nature, set along a concrete drive and car garages — the planting softens and humanizes the homes in this setting. This is a good lesson for new housing to follow — thus it is important to preserve good examples of housing like this.
Overall a remarkably well preserved example of one popular LA response to the housing crisis after World War II; small, affordable, but with a character appealing to consumers at the time: the Western Ranch, displaying in its rustic details hospitality, democratic qualities (everyone is equal and deserving a decent home even if it is modest), close to nature, good quality materials on interior. This was a type…though they are threatened type and deserve protection.”
Chris Lukather – author of A Birdhouse in Paradise: William Mellenthin and the San Fernando Valley Ranch Homes (photos of the proposed monument were featured in his book).
“Searching through newspaper and magazine articles published in Southern California over the last century, you will find a common theme when Mellenthin’s name is mentioned. He was considered a master builder, a successful architect, and was very well liked in the community. His work ethic and status as a top builder were second to none. This property at 5922-5930 N. Buffalo Avenue is a prime example of Mellenthin’s outstanding work as a home builder, designer and developer — and deserves to be saved and preserved.”
Russell Brown – Board Chair, Friends of Residential Treasures: LA
“The Birdhouse Apartments represent a rare and intact example of a courtyard apartment in the Traditional Ranch style, a hallmark of William Mellenthin’s contributions to mid-20th-century architecture. Mellenthin is best known for his “Birdhouse” ranch homes, characterized by their charming roof-integrated birdhouses, which became a signature feature of his designs. This 1954 property is believed to be the last remaining intact example of his single-story, ranch-style multifamily residences, making it a significant piece of Los Angeles history.
Beyond its architectural importance, the Birdhouse Apartments provide rent-stabilized housing and foster a strong sense of community among tenants, some of whom have lived there for over two decades. Its preservation is crucial not only for its historical value but also for maintaining affordable housing in Valley Glen.”
OFFICE OF HISTORIC RESOURCES STAFF REPORT
The Final Determination Staff Recommendation Report determined that the subject property meets one of the Historic-Cultural Monument criteria.
The William Mellenthin Birdhouse Apartments “embodies the distinctive characteristics of a style, type, period, or method of construction,” and “represents a notable work of a master designer, builder, or architect whose individual genius influenced his or her age” as a rare and excellent example of a Mid-century, one-story court in the Traditional Ranch architectural style designed and constructed by master builder William Mellenthin.
It also stated the subject property met all the eligibility standards and integrity considerations for evaluating Mid-century, one-story courts in SurveyLA, Los Angeles’s citywide historic resources survey, and that it may also be significant under the Postwar Suburbanization theme.
There are only approximately 15 Mid-century, one-story courts across the city that were identified as eligible for designation in SurveyLA, none of which are designed in the Traditional Ranch architectural style. (like the subject property)
And concluded that William Mellenthin is a Master Builder based on the definition in the National Register Bulletin, “How to Apply the National Register Criteria for Evaluation” published by the National Park Service.
Ultimately, recommending that the Cultural Heritage Commission declare the subject property an Historic-Cultural Monument.
CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMISSION MEETING ON FEBRUARY 6, 2025
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.
They received 60 plus letters of support from tenants, past tenants, a previous owner, community members, the Greater Valley Glen Council and the Greater Toluca Lake Neighborhood Council. Below are some quotes from the meeting.
Gail Kennard – Vice-President Cultural Heritage Commission – 15 years – who lives in the valley and is familiar with Mellenthin’s work stated:
“It harkened back to the valley’s creation.”
“I think it’s an excellent example and understanding from the research that we’ve heard that is a rare example of this kind of courtyard apartment.”
Barry Milofsky – President Cultural Heritage Commission – 10+ years – 40 years experience coordinating complex historic preservation said:
“One of the things that impressed me most about this application was the number of emails we got from the community.”
“I got many emails, comments, that were individual thoughts of the people who were writing it…people actually took time to make a comment that’s personal to them.”
“I’m impressed by how intact the courtyard is.”
“It’s a unique example of the ranch style, most of our courtyards, are some Spanish or some Craftsman typology, (this is a) unique example of the ranch, as applied to a courtyard.”
“The central driveway and the fact that that has become a social space, which I think is unique among courtyard typology and I think it’s a good example for architects, planners to think about in design of small lot subdivisions.”
He asked the staff, “He was known for doing single family homes. Is this the only example of a multifamily development that he did?”
Which Melissa Jones, City Planner, Office of Historic Resources replied:
“He did do other multifamily properties…but this is one of the only extant examples that remain…he mostly did single family residences, so this multifamily property, single story courtyard style is very rare and unique, especially from Mellenthin.”
Andrew Salimian (Director of Advocacy) speaking on behalf of the Los Angeles Conservancy:
“We don’t have enough resources in the valley, I’ll just say that, and this is probably one of the best examples of what makes the valley great.”
“The landscaping and the ranch detail that created this idealistic version of a neighborhood is all there, the community loves it!”
“We do believe that Mellenthin is a master builder, that this is a rare example of a multifamily version of his property but still retains all of the features of a single family, is important. I think it’s due time to recognize this important place of the San Fernando Valley.”