Place
William Mellenthin Birdhouse Apartments
This 1954 courtyard apartment is one of the only multi-family residences designed by famed builder William Mellenthin
Active
Support tenants and neighbors in designating this rare apartment as an L.A. Historic-Cultural Monument (HCM).
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William Mellenthin Birdhouse Apartments | Frank Richter
Overview
The suburban dream is a little denser- but no less picturesque – in this six-unit courtyard apartment designed by renowned builder and developer William Mellenthin. In the postwar period, Mellenthin designed over 3,000 homes across Los Angeles. His influence is best seen in the San Fernando Valley where his iconic cupola birdhouse design graced single-family homes across the growing suburbs.
In the 1950s, Mellenthin began to apply the Traditional Ranch style to multi-family residences. Few remain, however, making the William Mellenthin Birdhouse Apartments an extremely rare building type.
The Mellenthin Birdhouse Apartments are important rent-stabilized units. The courtyard and landscaping creates a community atmosphere for tenants, some who have lived there for over two decades. In September 2024, neighbors and residents nominated the Birdhouse Apartments as a L.A. Historic-Cultural Monument (HCM).
While the HCM moves forward with support from Councilmember Nazarian, concern remains over its Executive Directive 1 (ED 1) project status, which would override interim HCM protections. The Conservancy urges Councilmembers to address this issue and safeguard sites with pending HCM designations from such developments to protect the historic complex and its current long-term tenants.
About This Place
About This Place
The William Mellenthin Birdhouse Apartments are a rare, and intact example of a courtyard apartment in the Traditional Ranch style in Van Nuys’ Valley Glen neighborhood. It is a triplex court composed of two detached triplexes.
Whimsical yet modest, each apartment is a miniature version of Mellenthin’s full-size single-family ‘Birdhouses.’ Mellenthin and architect Frank S. Hinksman designed the Birdhouse typology in the late 1930s, inspired by Mellenthin’s childhood in Minnesota. The wooden birdhouse adorned the gables of Ranch style homes. The style became so popular that other designers began incorporating them into their developments.
Mellenthin’s homes were known for high quality craftsmanship and materials. Whimsical yet modest, the Traditional Ranch-style triplexes offer cozy country-style interiors and shared outdoor space.
Neighborhood mailer drumming up support for the Mellenthin Birdhouse Apartments, courtesy of Frank Richards.
Our Position
Residences like the William Mellenthin Birdhouse Apartments demonstrate historic models for densifying our neighborhoods while retaining character and a sense of community. It’s crucial that we protect older, rent stabilized buildings that make up a majority of L.A.’s remaining affordable housing.
Neighbors and residents worked together to nominate the to tell the story of their home and what it means to them today. The Conservancy is proud to support their effort to designate this important multi-family residence.
The Conservancy is concerned about the loophole in ED 1 that would allow a nominated property, pending designation, to receive entitlements under ED 1. This sets a dangerous precedent that undermines protections granted to HCMs under review.
How You Can Help
Thank you to current and former tenants, neighbors, and the Greater Valley Glen and Toluca Lake Neighborhood Councils who successfully swayed Councilmember Adrin Nazarian to support the nomination at the Planning Land Use and Management (PLUM) Committee.
Continued public support will be crucial moving forward. We will continue to track the progress of the nomination and ED 1 project and keep supporters updated.