City Hall – Santa Monica CA

Description

The magnificent Santa Monica City Hall, built in 1938-39, was largely financed by the Public Works Administration (PWA).

Designed by architects Donald B. Parkinson and Joseph M. Estep, the building is a fine example of Moderne/Deco architecture. It is a long, low building with squared corners and a flat roof, two wings and a raised central section with a low, louvered tower. It has minimal decoration on the facade (e.g., bas-relief columns between the windows on the two wings), but noteworthy use of stepped edges to a protruding core and strikingly beautiful tile work around the front doors.

The grand entry lobby is a delight with its high ceiling and airy mezzanine floor on three sides. The tile work on floor and walls, using Gladding McBean ceramic tiles, is extraordinary and complemented by the gilded iron railings around the mezzanine. The tile decorations continue throughout the building.

Flanking the entrance in the lobby are murals by Stanton Macdonald-Wright documenting the history of the city.

The original landscaping by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) has been completely overhauled, but outlines of the WPA work were preserved in the new design (Nina Fresco).

Santa Monica City Hall is a city landmark, on the California Register of Historical Resources, and on the National Register of Historic Places.